Kashlee KucheranMany African nations are starting to reopen airports, remove curfews, and slowly resume international tourism.
Most countries in Africa have been very strict on containing the spread of the virus, with most of them going into complete lockdowns earlier this year. That means nobody in and nobody out. Now that case numbers are relatively low across the continent, some nations have already reopened, with others making plans on how to reopen responsibly.
Below we have a list of every country in Africa, and what their current reopening status is: Not open for tourism, reopening soon, and now open. For the nations that have already reopened, we also include which countries are permitted to visit, plus any entry requirements.
Make sure to bookmark this page as we will keep it updated with the most recent news. If you have questions, comment at the bottom and we will do our best to answer you.
Africa Reopening for Tourism Complete Country List
Algeria
Not Open For Tourism
Domestic travel is still being limited, repatriation flights for foreigners stuck inside Algeria just started July 28, no news on when international tourism will resume.
Angola
Not Open For Tourism
Angola’s borders remain closed. Entry to Angola is prohibited except for Angolan nationals.
Benin
Not Open For Tourism
Benin is still restricting flights for any non-essential travelers.
Entry visas are restricted. Entry and exit at border crossings is limited to “extreme necessity” and authorised in liaison with bordering countries.
Botswana
Not Open For Tourism
Entry to Botswana is open only to Botswana nationals and foreign nationals with valid residency visas. There are currently no commercial flights in to or out of Botswana
Burkina Faso
Now Open
Commercial flights to Burkina Faso have resumed. Land and sea borders remain closed until further notice.
All international travellers are required to present a negative COVID 19 test PCR certificate dated no more than 5 days prior to departure to Burkina Faso.
You are required to quarantine for 14 days on arrival in Burkina Faso, at a location of your choice and at your own cost.
Burundi
Not Open For Tourism
Burundi planned to reopen land borders for essential travel on August 1, but not yet for tourism. Commercial flights have not yet resumed, with the exception of a few repatriation flights.
Cameroon
Reopening Soon
Cameroon has resumed a few commercial flights, though mostly for essential travel only. Land and sea borders are not yet open. They’ve started testing requirements to land in Cameroon airports for essential travelers, including a negative PCR test no older than 3 days.
Cape Verde
Now Open
Cape Verde has reopened sea and air border, although regular flights are still limited.
All arrivals over the age of 7 will need a negative PCR test, done no longer than 72 hours before the departing flight into the country.
Central African Republic
Reopening Soon
CAR is partially open, but due to a lack of information, we cannot post ‘now open' at this time.
All arrivals will need a 72-hour PCR test
Chad
Now Open
Commercial flights restarted on August 1.
Passengers will need proof of a negative PCR test, taken no longer than 7 days before arrival into Chad.
All international travellers will be required to surrender their passport, quarantine at home for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test on the 7th day. Passports will be returned upon presentation of the COVID-19 negative test receipt.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Now Open
The DRC reopened land borders and airports on August 15. All visitors into the DRC will require negative PCR tests (no older than 3 days), temperature checks, and the possibility of testing and/or quarantines upon arrival.
Congo
Reopening Soon
Due to the lack of information, we are labeling Congo as ‘reopening soon'.
Some sources say all arrivals are put into 14-day government run quarantine facilities, while others say bringing a negative PCR test is good enough for entry. Please contact local authorities if you plan to enter Congo.
Djibouti
Reopening Soon
On July 17, Djibouti reopened the airport and restarted limited commercial flights. We are unsure if these flights are restricted to repatriation and/or essential travel only at this point, or if general tourism is now permitted.
All passengers entering Djibouti will receive a covid test upon arrival and will have to remain at the airport until results come through (approx 4 hours), at the cost of the passenger.
Egypt
Now Open
Egypt started reopening borders for tourism to seaside resorts as of July 1.
Travelers will have to:
- Have a valid visa
- Wear a mask on the flight and in the airport
- Fill out a health declaration card
- Show proof of travel health insurance
- Agree to have their temperature taken on arrival
At this point travelers are expected to remain in high-tourist areas and are not permitted to travel independently inwards throughout the country.
Read all the details in our Egypt Reopening For Tourism guide.
Equatorial Guinea
Reopening Soon
General tourism is still not permitted at this time, but many can enter for business purposes if they already have a visa.
All arriving passengers must present a negative PCR test taken no longer than 48 hours before arrival.
Eritrea
Not Open For Tourism
Airports in Eritrea remain closed and entry visas have been suspended until further notice
Ethiopia
Now Open
Ethiopia has now reopened the airport for international arrivals.
All passengers, whether foreigners or nationals, must present proof of a negative PCR test before boarding their flight to Ethiopia, as well at customs upon arrival. The test needs to be taken with results available, no longer than 120 hours prior to the departing flight.
Read all the details about Ethiopia reopening for tourism
Gabon
Reopening Soon
Flights are starting to operate again on a very limited basis.
Any essential travelers must quarantine for 15 days, or bring a PCR test taken no longer than 10 days before arrival.
Gambia
Reopening Soon
Gambia is only allowing medical, cargo and repatriation flights at this time. Land borders have reopened. Air borders are expected to resume for commercial flights at the end of October.
Ghana
Now Open
Ghana reopened its airspace to international flights starting September 1, 2020
Passengers will need to bring a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours before departure, and be tested again upon arrival.
Read more information about Ghana Reopening for Tourism
Guinea
Reopening Soon
Commercial flights are gradually opening up.
All passengers arriving and departing Conakry must show a COVID-19 certificate with a negative PCR test result within 5 days of the flight.
Travel only seems possible at this time for nationals, spouses, residents, diplomats, official business, etc.
Guinea-Bissau
Now Open
Guinea-Bissau’s borders (land, sea and air) have all reopened.
All passengers need to bring proof of a negative PCR test, taken no older than 72 hours before arrival.
Kenya
Now Open
President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced that Kenya will be reopening for international tourism on August 1st, 2020
Entry Requirements include bringing a negative PCR test, but the details of how long the traveler has to take the test before arrival has not yet been released.
Read everything else we know about Kenya’s Reopening for Tourism
Lesotho
Not Open For Tourism
Lesotho remains closed for tourism until further notice. Borders are closed for everything but essential trade.
As of October 1st: business people, students, people with permits to live and work outside Lesotho, the critically ill and people with special needs will also be permitted entry.
Liberia
Now Open
Liberia has reopened for tourism as of July 1, but many restrictions are still in place. When they first opened they had a rule that if a passenger was coming from a nation with more than 200 active cases of the virus, they would be denied entry. Now, we believe that restriction has been removed and replaced with testing requirements.
Passengers arriving into Liberia will need to bring a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours, undergo a temperature scan and health check, and could be tested again upon arrival. Anyone testing positive on arrival will be put into government quarantine for at least 14 days.
Libya
Reopening Soon
Airlines in Libya have slowly been resuming flights, but the nation is not open for tourism at this time.
Madagascar
Not Open For Tourism
Madagascar has suspended all international and domestic flights until further notice, as well as cruise ships.
Malawi
Partially Reopen
Air borders have reopened, but flights are still quite limited.
All travelers must present a negative PCR test, taken no longer than 10 days before arrival. Testing may also happen upon arrival, at the cost of the traveller. Even with a test, quarantines may still be in effect.
Land borders are still closed to all that are not residents/citizens of Malawi.
Mali
Not Open For Tourism
Mali reopened flights on July 25 and is planning on reopening land borders on July 31st for Mali nationals.
Arrivals need to bring a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. If they do not, a test will be performed on arrival while the passenger will remain in quarantine until results are processed.
Due to civil unrest, Mali is not opening for tourism soon.
Mauritania
Now Open
Mauritania has just reopened airspace as of September 10,2020.
All arrivals must bring a negative PCR test, taken no longer than 72 hours prior to arrival.
Mauritius
Reopening Soon
The Mauritius Tourism Board site now says:
“Mauritius has announced the phased easing of travel restrictions. As from 01 October 2020, borders will be open to Mauritian nationals, residents and tourists travelling to Mauritius for long stays. Passengers will have to undergo a PCR test 5 days prior to travel. Upon arrival in Mauritius, a 14-day quarantine will be mandatory at an establishment approved by the authorities.”
Morocco
Partially Open
The current state of emergency was extended until August 10th. The partial reopening of Morocco’s borders started July 14, first to allow Moroccan residents to return and foreign citizens to depart the country.
Tourists are permitted to enter, but many cities are still locked down, making freedom of movement a concern.
Mozambique
Not Open For Tourism
General tourism has not resumed at this point. Entry into Mozambique is limited to nationals and individuals with valid residency.
Essential travelers will need a 72 hour negative PCR test, and also be subject to quarantine.
Namibia
Now Open
Namibia's major airport has reopened on September 1 and is now allowing foreign tourists to arrive once again.
All arrivals need to bring a negative PCR test no olderthan 72 hours prior to arrival, and must be tested again after 7 days in Namibia (after completing 7 days quarantine)
Niger
Not Open For Tourism
Niger is not yet open for tourism. Entry is only permitted for nationals returning home, and transiting through the country is not permitted.
Nigeria
Now Open
Nigeria has reopened for international flights and tourism arrivals as of September 5, 2020.
The country does have strict PCR testing requirements than every traveler should know about
Rwanda
Now Open
Rwanda has officially reopened for tourism as of June 17, 2020
Nations that can visit = ALL
Entry Requirements = Testing is required before arrival and again upon arrival. In order to gain entry into Rwanda as a tourist, you must take a PCR test in your own country within 120 hours of departure and have the negative results as proof. The negative test must be emailed to [email protected] before your departure and a copy of the results brought with you to show customs upon entry into Rwanda.
At the airport upon arrival, travelers will be tested again with the results available in around 8 hours.
Learn more details in our Rwanda Reopening for Tourism Guide
Sao Tome and Principe
Now Open
Sao Tome and Principe has reopened for tourism, but still needs both testing and quarantines from arrivals.
All air passengers arriving in São Tomé and Principe are required to have proof of a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours prior to their arrival, plus a 14-day quarantine.
Senegal
Now Open
Senegal has now reopened for tourism, with entry requirements explained below.
Senegal reopened international flights on July 15, even though land and sea borders are still closed.
The state of emergency was lifted on June 30.
All arrivals into Senegal will require:
- A health declaration form
- A negative PCR test taken no longer than 7 days before departure
- Undergo medical screening and temperature scans upon arrival
Seychelles
Now Open
As of June 1st the Seychelles have reopened to tourists from ‘low’ and ‘medium’ risk nations, with different entry requirements for each category.
There are 17 nations being classified as ‘low risk’ and 20 nations being classified as ‘medium risk’. (see them HERE)
Visitors from the LOW RISK countries can bring a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours from date of travel, but if one is not available, a rapid test is also approved. Visitors from the MEDIUM RISK countries can only bring a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours of date of travel, with no rapid test option.
There are a few other entry requirements, which can be seen on our Seychelles Reopening For Tourism Guide
Sierra Leone
Now Open
Sierra Leone reopened for tourism on July 22, 2020. Flights are starting to be rescheduled, but land borders remain closed.
Entry Requirements:
- Obtaining a travel authorization card from the government
- A negative PCR test taken no longer than 72 hours before departure
- A health declaration card
- Pre-payment for testing on arrival
- A valid visa
Somalia
Reopening Soon
Somalia has reopened airspace for essential travelers. They will need to bring a negative PCR test no older than 96 hours prior to arrival.
South Africa
Now Open
South Africa is officially reopening for tourism on October 1st and reopening 3 international airports.
Arrivals will need to bring a negative PCR test, taken no longer than 72 hours prior to departure.
Read more details on our South Africa Reopening Guide here
South Sudan
Not Open For Tourism
South Sudan is not open for tourism. All issuing of visas have been suspended, commercial flights are limited to repatriation flights, and government curfews are still in place.
Essential travelers need to provide a 48-hour negative PCT test for entry.
Sudan
Reopening Soon
Sudan just lifted bans on flights from Egypt, Turkey, and the UAE, but flights from other nations are still suspended until mid-October.
Foreigners must bring proof of a negative PCR test, taken no longer than 72 hours before arrival.
Tanzania
Now Open
As of June 2020, Tanzania is now accepting tourists under normal and regular ‘pre-covid’ border rules. No mandatory quarantine period is currently in place, however temperature checks, mask wearing, and social distancing is in effect.
Countries Allowed to visit: ALL
However, under normal tourism laws, your country might require a Visa to enter Tanzania. There are currently 68 countries that can enter Tanzania Visa-free, with the rest requiring a Visa or Visa on Arrival.
There is no mandatory 14-day isolation or quarantine period for travellers into Tanzania.
Togo
Now Open
Airport reopened on August 1, but very limited commercial flights are coming in or out. Land borders are still closed.
All travelers must fill out the online immigration form before arriving, as well as have a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours.
Tunisia
Now Open
Tunisia is officially reopening its borders June 27, 2020 allowing tourists to enter based on a color-coded system based on risk assessment.
Tunisia has created a ‘Green’ and ‘Orange’ list for arrivals. ‘Green’ countries may enter with no testing or quarantines, while ‘Orange’ countries will need to present a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure. (See the lists here)
Read more entry requirements and see which countries can enter restriction free on our Tunisia Reopening for Tourism guide
Uganda
Now Open
Uganda reopened the international airport for commercial flights on October 1, 2020.
A 72 hour negative PCR test is needed for ALL arrivals.
Read more about Uganda reopening for tourism
Zambia
Now Reopen
Zambia’s borders have reopened, with both domestic and international flights starting to resume. All nations are welcome to visit.
Tourists need to bring a negative PCR test taken within 14 days of departure, and they do not have to quarantine on arrival.
We have more information on entry requirements, visa policy, and rules for visiting on our Zambia Reopening Guide
Zimbabwe
Now Open
Zimbabwe announced they will reopen their airports for international flights on October 1, 2020.
Read everything we know about Zimbabwe Reopening for tourism
Read More:
All Countries that have reopened for tourism
Countries that have reopened for American tourists
Countries that have reopened for Canadian tourists
List of countries reopening in Europe, The Middle East, and Asia
Sources: UK embassy / US embassy / CA embassy / IATA / each countries ministry of tourism and ministry of health sites
Disclaimer: Africa’s reopening news is ever-changing and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.
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Originally Published: July 28, 2020
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