YOUR GUIDE TO EAST AFRICAN VISAS

Afrikan Accent Adventures

Travel Prepared, Travel Relaxed

At Afrikan Accent Adventures, we operate safaris across four East African countries: Kenya, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Uganda, and Rwanda. Each country has its own entry requirements, and getting them right before you fly means your adventure starts smoothly — no queues, no surprises, no stress.

This guide explains what is required and how to apply for each destination. And remember: when you book with us, our team guides you through every application step by step.

Important: Visa rules and fees change from time to time. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official government websites listed below (or with us) before you travel. Only use the official portals — avoid third-party websites that charge extra fees.

1. Kenya — Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)

Kenya no longer issues traditional visas. Instead, all visitors — including infants and children — must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before boarding their flight.

What You Need

Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival, with at least one blank page
A recent passport-style photo or selfie (uploaded during application)
Flight details (arrival and departure)
Accommodation details — your safari itinerary from us covers this
Payment card for the fee — approximately USD 30–35
Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission

How to Apply

Go to the official portal: www.etakenya.go.ke (or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app)
Select “Tourists & Visitors” and fill in your details — families and groups can apply together using “Apply as a Group”
Upload your documents and pay online
Receive your approved eTA by email — print it or save it on your phone

Timing & Exemptions

Timing: Apply at least 2 weeks before travel (processing is officially up to 72 hours, but earlier is safer). You can apply up to 3 months in advance, and you must enter Kenya within 90 days of the eTA being issued.

Exemptions: Citizens of East African Community states (Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, South Sudan) do not need an eTA, and citizens of most other African countries currently enjoy eTA-free entry — check the official site for your nationality.

2. Tanzania & Zanzibar — e-Visa

Tanzania requires most visitors to obtain a visa, applied for online in advance. One visa covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar — so your Serengeti safari and your beach holiday need only one application.

Visa Types and Fees

Ordinary (single entry) visa — USD 50, valid up to 90 days: this is the standard tourist visa
Multiple entry visa — USD 100, valid 1 year: required for USA passport holders, even for tourism

What You Need

Passport valid for at least 6 months, with blank pages
Scanned copy of your passport bio page
A recent passport-style digital photo
Your travel itinerary / accommodation details
Payment card for the visa fee

How to Apply

Go to the official portal: visa.immigration.go.tz
Complete the application form — if visiting both the mainland and Zanzibar, simply select your first destination; the visa covers both
Upload documents and pay online
Receive your e-visa approval by email — print a copy to carry

Timing

Processing typically takes a few days but can take longer in peak season (July–September, December–January). Apply at least 2–3 weeks before travel. Visa on arrival exists at major entry points, but queues can be long — we strongly recommend the e-visa.

3. Uganda — e-Visa

Uganda — home of the mountain gorillas — requires visitors to obtain an e-visa before travel. Visas are not issued on arrival, so this must be done in advance.

What You Need

Passport valid for at least 6 months
A recent passport-style photo
Yellow fever vaccination certificate — mandatory for Uganda
Travel itinerary / accommodation details
Fee of USD 50 for a single-entry tourist visa

How to Apply

Go to the official portal: visas.immigration.go.ug
Complete the application, upload your passport bio page, photo, and yellow fever certificate
Pay online and submit
Receive your approval letter by email — print it and present it with your passport on arrival, where the visa is issued

Timing

Processing is typically 2–5 working days; apply at least 2 weeks before travel. Children travelling on their own passports need their own visas.

4. Rwanda — Visa on Arrival for Everyone

Rwanda is the easiest of all: citizens of every country in the world can obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival — no advance application needed. Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth, and Francophonie member states are granted visas free of charge, and several nationalities are fully visa-exempt.

What You Need

Passport valid for at least 6 months, with at least one blank page
Visa fee (approximately USD 50 for nationalities that pay) — payable at the border or airport
Return/onward travel details and accommodation information may be requested

How to Apply

Option 1 — On arrival: simply present your passport at Kigali International Airport or any land border and pay the fee
Option 2 — In advance (optional): apply online through the Rwanda Irembo portal (irembo.gov.rw) if you prefer to have everything approved before you fly

The Smart Option: The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV)

Visiting Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda on one trip? The East Africa Tourist Visa is made for you — and many of our multi-country itineraries take advantage of it.

Key Facts

One visa, three countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda
Fee: USD 100
Valid 90 days, multiple entry — move freely between the three countries as often as you like within the validity period
Tourism only (no employment), and not renewable

The golden rule: you must apply through — and first enter — the country where your trip begins. If you land in Nairobi first, apply through Kenya’s eTA portal; if Kampala, through Uganda’s immigration portal; if Kigali, through Rwanda, where it is also available on arrival.

Note: Tanzania is not part of the EATV — a Tanzania e-visa is needed separately if your itinerary includes the Serengeti or Zanzibar.

Quick Reference

Country	What You Need	Where to Apply	Fee	Apply By
Kenya	eTA before travel	www.etakenya.go.ke	~USD 30–35	2+ weeks before
Tanzania & Zanzibar	e-Visa before travel	visa.immigration.go.tz	USD 50 (USD 100 for US passports)	2–3 weeks before
Uganda	e-Visa before travel + yellow fever certificate	visas.immigration.go.ug	USD 50	2 weeks before
Rwanda	Visa on arrival, or online in advance	irembo.gov.rw or on arrival	~USD 50 (free for AU/Commonwealth/Francophonie)	On arrival
Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda	East Africa Tourist Visa	Portal of first-entry country	USD 100	2+ weeks before

General Tips from Our Team

Check your passport first. Every country requires at least 6 months’ validity beyond your travel dates and blank pages. Renew early if needed.
Apply early. Two to three weeks before departure is the sweet spot — early enough to fix any hiccups, and applications can usually be made up to 90 days ahead.
Use only official government websites. The portals listed above are the official ones. Unofficial “visa agency” sites often charge double.
Yellow fever: carry your vaccination certificate. It is mandatory for Uganda and required by Kenya and Tanzania if you are arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever risk country.
Print everything. Carry printed copies of your eTA and e-visa approvals, even if you also have them on your phone.
Travelling as a family? Every traveller — including babies — needs their own authorisation. Apply as a group where the portal allows it.
Let us help. When you book a safari with Afrikan Accent Adventures, we walk you through every visa application, double-check your documents, and make sure nothing stands between you and your adventure.

Afrikan Accent Adventures — Venus Complex, Northern Bypass, Nairobi

Your trusted partner for safaris across East and Southern Africa

Visa information current as of July 2026 and subject to change. Always verify with official government sources before travelling.