Which African countries are welcoming US citizens

African tourism opens its arms to US guests

The global travel industry has been dealt a crippling blow over the past year.  Thousands of tour providers, hotel and guest house owners, guides, photographers, car rental companies, and restaurant owners have closed their doors. The ripple effect of these closures has been more of a tsunami for nations whose economies were in trouble pre-pandemic.

Is there light at the end of this exceptionally long, dark tunnel? Absolutely, YES!

Nations whose tourism sector contribute heavily to the national GDP are eager to open their borders. They are going above and beyond to implement safety protocols and to put at ease the minds of nervous travelers.

While it is up to individuals to make an informed decision, we at Ntaba African Safaris believe we have a responsibility to offer the most current updates available to current and future guests.  Our providers have reputations that are hard-earned, and they realize the importance of maintaining excellent communication, exceptional safety standards, and the need to protect their (our) guests.  It is their livelihood after all.

Travelers need to be prepared for what they may encounter when they go to another country.  Regulations may be stricter than in the US, with curfews, mask mandates, and proof of negative Covid-19 required.  Also, all air passengers must currently show proof of a negative Covid-19 test that is no more than 72 hours old to enter the United States. That includes US citizens returning from trips to other countries. Ntaba African Safaris provides updated information and facilitates necessary testing for guests prior to returning to the US.

As Governments are changing their policies daily, please check Embassy & country-specific websites for the latest updates. Information correct as of 03/17/2021.

Ntaba’s Most Popular African Destinations That Are Welcoming Back U.S. Tourists

Botswana

With almost 20% of the country devoted to fenceless national parks and private game reserves which allows wildlife to roam free, Botswana is a safari favorite.  The Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and Central Kalahari Game Reserve are all sought after destinations for our guests.

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No. With a negative test, they are not required to quarantine.

– Persons who are symptomatic upon entry or who develop COVID after entry must self-isolate for 10 days with a test in the second half of the isolation period. Close contacts of positive COVID patients will be asked to isolate for 14 days.

Is a curfew in place? Yes. A curfew for Gaborone is in place through March 31, 2021, and bans all movement between 10 pm and 4 am.

For more information visit: https://bw.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Ethiopia

Africa’s oldest independent country, Ethiopia is steeped in history and was the only African country to have escaped colonialism, allowing it to retain much of its cultural identity. Whether planning a visit to the Simien Mountains National Park or Rock Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia is known for its surreal landscapes, savory food, and ancient Christian culture.

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes – All arriving passengers entering Ethiopia with a negative RT PCR test must still self-quarantine at home or in a hotel for 7 days. 

Is a curfew in place? No

For more information visit: https://et.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Ghana

Ghana, the “gateway of Africa”, is home to many historical destinations such as castles, forts, and slave dungeons. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Western Africa. With English as its trade language, Ghanaian craftsmanship is also a huge tourist attraction – the Ashanti craft villages have skilled artisans who create gorgeous Andikra cloth, weaving, and intricate wood carving.

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes. Accra Kotoka International Airport is open for regular international passenger travel. However, Ghana’s land and sea borders remain closed until further notice.

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes. The test must be conducted by an accredited laboratory in the country of origin, not more than 72 hours prior to departure.

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? 

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Ghana, asymptomatic or not, will be required to undergo mandatory quarantine and treatment at a designated health facility or isolation center, for seven (7) days at Government of Ghana expense.

Is a curfew in place? No

For more information visit: https://gh.usembassy.gov/ghana-covid-19-information/

Kenya

Home to what is considered one of Africa’s greatest game reserves, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya is rich with big game, timeless cultures unchanged by the modern world, pristine beaches and coral reefs. The equatorial forests and mighty snow-capped mountains, searing deserts and cool highland retreats provide endless opportunities for adventure, discovery, and relaxation.

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes. If specific conditions are met.

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes. All passengers arriving and transiting Kenya must have a PCR Covid-19 negative certificate for a test conducted 96 hours prior to travel. U.S. citizens who do not have such a test may be refused boarding or denied entry to Kenya.

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No

Is a curfew in place? Yes. Nightly curfew hours from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. are in effect up to March 12, 2021

For more information visit: https://ke.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Morocco

While this North Africa favorite is currently open to specific US travelers only, Ntaba African Safaris anticipates restrictions gradually being lifted in 2021 – 2022.  Once they do, guests can experience the thrill of this ancient Kingdom of Morocco. Our trips include camel riding, sandboarding, and riding in a 4×4 through the Sahara Desert.  You will wander through the spice markets of Marrakech, overnight in a desert camp, and soak in the history and magic of this unique country. 

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? It depends (see Entry & Exit requirements)

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No

Is a curfew in place? Yes. A nationwide curfew between the hours of 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM is in place until March 30, 2021.

For more information visit: https://ma.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Namibia

Offering visitors bountiful sunshine, an abundance of wildlife and game reserves, scenic beauty and rich diversity of geological phenomena, Namibia is known for its ecotourism, friendliness and cultural diversity of its people, and an extensive choice of parks, resorts, and variety of accommodations. For sportsmen and adventurers, Namibia offers hiking, hot-air ballooning, dune skiing, mountain biking, white river rafting, equestrian sports and excellent coastal and freshwater angling. 

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No

Is a curfew in place? Yes. A nationwide curfew is in place between 10:00 pm and 4:00 am daily

For more information visit: https://na.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Rwanda

Rwanda’s green, mountainous landscape has earned it the nickname “Land of a Thousand Hills” and its renowned Volcanoes National Park is home to one-third of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas. Rich in birdlife, Rwanda boasts one-third of Africa’s bird species, several species of primates, game reserves, resorts and islands on the expansive lake Kivu, graceful dancers, artistic crafts, and friendly people.

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes – all travelers arriving in Rwanda are required to have a negative COVID-19 certificate. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV2 Real-Time Polymerase (RT-PCR) performed within 72 hours prior to departure for Rwanda. All other forms of COVID-19 tests are not permitted.

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes – U.S. citizens are required to quarantine for approximately 24 hours at a designated quarantine hotel while awaiting the results of the COVID-19 test taken immediately after arrival at the airport.

Is a curfew in place? Yes. The Government of Rwanda currently enforces a curfew from 09:00 PM to 4:00 AM

For more information visit: https://rw.usembassy.gov/health-alert-covid-19-information/

Senegal

One of the most popular tourist destinations in West Africa, Senegal is home to two dynamic cultural hubs, Dakar and Saint Louis, several diverse wildlife parks, including the Niokolo-Koba National Park, the Oiseaux du Djoudj National Park, and the Bandia Game Reserve. Senegal is known as the land of “teranga”, which is the Senegalese value of hospitality, respect, and community. Visitors to Senegal are sure to experience a warm welcome on their arrival and throughout their visit.

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes – all travelers to Senegal over the age of two years must present an original COVID-19 test certificate showing a negative result. The test must occur within five days of entry into Senegal. 

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No

Is a curfew in place? Yes – from midnight to 5 am in the regions of Dakar and Thies

For more information visit: https://sn.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

South Africa

One of the most popular destinations in Africa has reopened to US citizens. Here is where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet; warm weather lasts most of the year, and where Africa’s best Game Reserves can be found. Traces of our ancestors are still evident in fossilized footprints 80,000 years old, and in the world’s oldest rock paintings. South Africa has it all: a unique blend of the old and the new Africa that combines ultra-modern cities and up-to-the-minute facilities with an ancient heritage. It is easy to see how South Africa is known as “a world in one country”.

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes 

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes – on arrival, travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours from the time of departure.

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No.

However, where a traveler has not done a COVID-19 test prior to departure, they will be required to remain in mandatory quarantine at their own cost.

Is a curfew in place? Yes. Under Alert Level 1, the curfew will apply from midnight until 0400 daily.

For more information visit: https://za.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/ 

Tanzania

A safari destination without equal, Tanzania has one-quarter of its surface area set aside for conservation. The world-renowned Serengeti National Park has the highest concentration of large mammals on the planet and has the highest concentration of large mammals on the planet. And if climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is on your bucket list, Ntaba African Safaris can arrange that too! 

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? No

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No

Is a curfew in place? No

For more information visit: https://tz.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Uganda

Ecologically, Uganda is where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle. In this uniquely lush destination, guests can observe lions prowling the open plains in the morning and track chimpanzees through the rainforest undergrowth the same afternoon, then the next day navigate tropical channels teeming with hippos and crocodiles before setting off into the misty mountains to visit the majestic mountain gorillas. Uganda is also blessed with a vast bird population of more than 1,000 species.

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes – travelers must take a certified PCR COVID-19 test no more than120 hours before departure for Uganda and obtain a negative result

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No. Quarantine is not required for arriving foreign nationals who have a negative PCR COVID-19 test result done by an accredited laboratory in the country of origin unless the person exhibits signs or symptoms of an infectious disease. 

Is a curfew in place? Yes. A nationwide curfew is enforced from 2100h to 0600h. Note that arriving and departing airline passengers will be exempt from curfew restrictions when their flights take place during quarantine hours.

For more information visit: https://ug.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-page/   

Zambia

The South Luangwa Valley, Zambia, is a great place to discover the untouched African wilderness, as it is truly one of Africa’s best-hidden secrets. With over 50 different animal species, some of them unique to the Luangwa Valley, this is the safari destination not to be missed. It is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 450 species of birds, and the rich culture of the friendly Kunda tribe invites you to experience the traditional African life.

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls, also called the “Smoke that Thunders”, is a waterfall located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes – The Government of the Republic of Zambia is enforcing mandatory 14-day quarantine, testing, and regular monitoring at the residence or preferred place of stay for persons entering Zambia

Is a curfew in place? No

For more information visit: 

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s game reserves are among the most abundant and beautiful on the continent, and they offer unusual safari experiences that are simply unavailable anywhere else.

The mighty Zambezi River, bordering the north-eastern side of the country, has become one of the world’s best water adventure travel destinations, offering outstanding white-water rafting in the Zambezi Gorges below the falls as well as excellent canoeing and kayaking above them. For the more cautious traveler, river cruises, fishing, helicopter flights over Victoria Falls, and local cultural events provide a unique experience.

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes. All travelers arriving at the international airports (whether returning residents or foreign nationals) must have a negative PCR test, from within 48 hours of departure. 

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No. Non-resident visitors to Zimbabwe, regardless of citizenship, are not required to quarantine after arrival.

Is a curfew in place? Yes

For more information visit: https://zw.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/ 

Before attempting to book a trip please check country-specific requirements. Please let us know if you need help finding the relevant information.