Travel to Southern Africa is easier than ever for vaccinated visitors. South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia have removed the need for PCR tests for vaccinated visitors. To enter any of these countries, you only need to show proof of vaccination at your port of entry. If you are unvaccinated, you will need to show a negative PCR test dated within 72 hours of arrival.
Botswana's entrance requirements have further been revised, and the need for a booster shot has been removed. A spokesperson for the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness said, "Having completed the primary vaccine series will be considered sufficient for one to be allowed entry, without the need to present a negative PCR test result."
Furthermore, Zimbabwe has recently announced its intention to remove PCR requirements in the coming days. Until this has been made official Zimbabwe’s air borders require a PCR test within 48 hours of entry OR exit.
Zimbabwe's land borders are only open to people who have been fully vaccinated. An exception has been made for those transiting through to fly out of Victoria Falls. If you have not been fully vaccinated but are flying out of Victoria Falls airport, proof must be provided of your flights before you can cross the border without vaccination.
A positive note for unvaccinated travellers is the availability and speed with which PCR tests are now being done on the ground. This makes it far easier to work them into your trip without disrupting it. Within the Victoria Falls region, private doctors and labs will even visit your hotel to quickly and painlessly perform the tests, with results being delivered within 8 hours. Bushtracks ground handling offices will happily assist clients with testing in Livingstone, Victoria Falls, and Kasane.
