COVID-19 Testing & Requirements for Custom Southern Africa Safaris, including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Updated August 5, 2022
This information applies to Custom Southern Africa trips.
All Nat Hab guests are required to be fully vaccinated to join a trip. Additionally, all guests entering Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe must show proof of full vaccination for COVID-19. Guests should upload their vaccination card to their Adventure Portal prior to departure. In addition, you must travel with your original vaccination card to present to border officials upon request.
TESTING
All Nat Hab guests are required to test negative on a rapid antigen COVID-19 test, on Day 1 of their trip. Nat Hab has sent self-test kits in your pre-departure briefing package. Please pack them in your carry-on luggage. Please test yourself upon arriving and checking in to your first night's accommodation. If you did not receive a self-test kit, then you will be met on arrival for a rapid test at the airport.
Testing for Custom Extensions
If you have booked a custom extension with Nat Hab prior to a Nat Hab group safari, we will organize an arrival test at the start of your custom extension, and you will use your self-test kit on Day 1 of your group safari. If you have booked a custom extension with Nat Hab after a Nat Hab group safari, you will not need to be retested for your extension.
Before you depart for Africa, we recommend taking a COVID-19 test. After all, no one wants to travel halfway around the world and then test positive! Please note that you are responsible for knowing the requirements in place for any countries you are transiting through en route to your trip destination.
BOTSWANA
No pre-trip test is required to enter Botswana. You will be asked to complete a health screening questionnaire on arrival in Botswana as well as proof of vaccination for COVID-19.
NAMIBIA
No pre-trip test is required to enter Namibia. Namibia requires that you present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination upon arrival with a QR code. You must upload your vaccine information to the African Union Trusted Traveler website as this will produce a QR code for you. You should carry a printed copy and have this on your mobile device if applicable. Please have your vaccine card ready along with your passport and other travel documents when you arrive.
SOUTH AFRICA
No pre-trip test or proof of COVID-19 vaccine is required to enter South Africa.
ZAMBIA
No pre-trip test is required to enter Zambia. You will be asked to complete a health screening questionnaire on arrival in Zambia as well as proof of vaccination for COVID-19.
ZIMBABWE
No pre-trip test is required to enter Zimbabwe. You will be asked to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 upon arrival in Zimbabwe.
Starting June 12, 2022, a negative COVID-19 test to re-enter the U.S. is no longer required. If you were charged for this test along with your final balance, you will be refunded. This government mandate is reevaluated every 90 days. If you require a COVID-19 test for your home country or onward travels, we will be happy to help direct you towards online resources for obtaining the required test, though you will need to arrange and pay for the test on your own.
For more information about the CDC’s current requirements, please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
FLIGHTS
Some airlines, depending upon the country you are departing from and/or the country you are connecting through, may require a COVID-19 test prior to your flight’s departure. Please be sure to research your airline’s requirements for your specific flight routing. If you will require testing, please let our Adventure Concierge team know prior to departure so they can direct you to online resources to book your own test.
We also recommend double-checking your on-board mask requirements with the airline you are using to travel abroad.
This information applies to Custom Southern Africa trips.
To Join Your Trip:
VACCINATIONSAll Nat Hab guests are required to be fully vaccinated to join a trip. Additionally, all guests entering Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe must show proof of full vaccination for COVID-19. Guests should upload their vaccination card to their Adventure Portal prior to departure. In addition, you must travel with your original vaccination card to present to border officials upon request.
TESTING
All Nat Hab guests are required to test negative on a rapid antigen COVID-19 test, on Day 1 of their trip. Nat Hab has sent self-test kits in your pre-departure briefing package. Please pack them in your carry-on luggage. Please test yourself upon arriving and checking in to your first night's accommodation. If you did not receive a self-test kit, then you will be met on arrival for a rapid test at the airport.
Testing for Custom Extensions
If you have booked a custom extension with Nat Hab prior to a Nat Hab group safari, we will organize an arrival test at the start of your custom extension, and you will use your self-test kit on Day 1 of your group safari. If you have booked a custom extension with Nat Hab after a Nat Hab group safari, you will not need to be retested for your extension.
Before you depart for Africa, we recommend taking a COVID-19 test. After all, no one wants to travel halfway around the world and then test positive! Please note that you are responsible for knowing the requirements in place for any countries you are transiting through en route to your trip destination.
BOTSWANA
No pre-trip test is required to enter Botswana. You will be asked to complete a health screening questionnaire on arrival in Botswana as well as proof of vaccination for COVID-19.
NAMIBIA
No pre-trip test is required to enter Namibia. Namibia requires that you present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination upon arrival with a QR code. You must upload your vaccine information to the African Union Trusted Traveler website as this will produce a QR code for you. You should carry a printed copy and have this on your mobile device if applicable. Please have your vaccine card ready along with your passport and other travel documents when you arrive.
SOUTH AFRICA
No pre-trip test or proof of COVID-19 vaccine is required to enter South Africa.
ZAMBIA
No pre-trip test is required to enter Zambia. You will be asked to complete a health screening questionnaire on arrival in Zambia as well as proof of vaccination for COVID-19.
ZIMBABWE
No pre-trip test is required to enter Zimbabwe. You will be asked to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 upon arrival in Zimbabwe.
At Trip End:
RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATESStarting June 12, 2022, a negative COVID-19 test to re-enter the U.S. is no longer required. If you were charged for this test along with your final balance, you will be refunded. This government mandate is reevaluated every 90 days. If you require a COVID-19 test for your home country or onward travels, we will be happy to help direct you towards online resources for obtaining the required test, though you will need to arrange and pay for the test on your own.
For more information about the CDC’s current requirements, please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
FLIGHTS
Some airlines, depending upon the country you are departing from and/or the country you are connecting through, may require a COVID-19 test prior to your flight’s departure. Please be sure to research your airline’s requirements for your specific flight routing. If you will require testing, please let our Adventure Concierge team know prior to departure so they can direct you to online resources to book your own test.
We also recommend double-checking your on-board mask requirements with the airline you are using to travel abroad.
COVID-19 Information
