How it usually works
- e-Visas or electronic travel authorisations: many countries now ask you to apply online before you travel.
- Visa on arrival: still common, but check that it applies to your passport and arrival point.
- Visa-free entry: some countries have opened up to many nationalities in recent years.
Regional visas
- KAZA UNIVISA: covers Zambia and Zimbabwe (and day trips into Botswana’s Chobe through certain border posts) for eligible nationalities. Handy for Victoria Falls.
- East Africa Tourist Visa: has covered Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda for eligible travellers. Kenya changed its entry system in 2024, so check how it currently applies.
Avoid scam sites
Search results are full of unofficial sites that charge extra fees. Use the government domain, linked from your embassy or your own government’s travel advice pages.
Passport tips
- At least six months’ validity beyond your trip.
- Several blank pages: some countries need a full page for a visa.
- Carry printouts of e-visas and approvals.
Check every border
On multi-country trips, check each country and each border crossing. Some regional visas only work at certain posts.
