Where in Africa can you travel right now?

For the weary, house-bound adventurer we have some great news. Leisure travel to Africa is once again a possibility and with a huge variety of incredible experiences now available. So how do you know where you should be booking? Fear not, as the authority on African travel, we have compiled a list of African countries which are open for you to visit right now. Not only are these incredible countries available to explore but, due to Covid-19, many of these destinations which normally require a booking of at least 12 months in advance, have immediate availability. There are some big-hitting, bucket-list experiences up on offer and now is definitely the time to take advantage of this. For the latest travel updates, please visit our Travel with Confidence pages.

Africa is once again a travellers playground, Photo Credit: Marc Gengler

Safety First for African Travel

The African countries which have already opened their borders have all applied stringent health and safety measures to protect both the travellers and local population. For up-to-date information regarding the individual protocols each country has imposed, please read through our Covid-19 African Travel Restrictions and Border Updates blog. Rhino Africa has also partners with Global Rescue, an industry leader in travel insurance which will provide all the safety and security when booking your dream holiday.

So, where to travel… Listed in order of their opening dates, here are all the African countries ready to welcome you right now.

Tanzania

Experience the magic of Africa as you float over the Serengeti

• When did it reopen? 1 June
• Who’s allowed in?There are no restrictions for any particular countries. If a travellers’ body temperature tests normal, they will be able to enter the country without being quarantined.
• Why visit Tanzania now? Happening right now on the vast Serengeti plains, huge numbers of wildebeest, zebra (and the predators who follow them) are on their Great Migration. The wide open plains of Tanzania are also the perfect self-isolation holiday. We recommend taking a private hot air balloon ride as a unique opportunity to view the vast grazing herds. The months of June through to November are also the perfect time to visit the flamingo-infested waters of Lake Natron which sees upwards of two million lesser flamingos gather to nest. Further east and beyond the coastline is Africa’s own tropical paradise, Zanzibar. With palm-dusted shorelines and deserted pearly-white sands, finishing off your Tanzania safari here is pure perfection.

Best Tanzania Tour:

Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Zanzibar Tour

10 Nights

Arusha • Ngorongoro Crater • Serengeti National Park •  Zanzibar Archipelago

Rwanda

Witness the mountain gorilla in Rwanda

• When did it reopen? 17 June
• Who’s allowed in? All tourists are welcome, but visitors must test negative for Covid-19 in two consecutive tests.
• Why visit Rwanda now? Rwanda is a haven for the vast majority of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and arguably the best place to witness them in their natural habitat. With some of the best gorilla trekking conditions between July and October, now is a great time to visit “The Land of a Thousand Hills”. Our recommendation would be to include a chimp trek in Nyungwe Forest National Park or add on a Great Migration tour to tick off two bucket-list items in one holiday.

Suggested Tour:

Gorilla Trekking & Great Migration Tour

12 Nights

Rwanda • Greater Serengeti Ecosystem • Ngorongoro Crater •  Zanzibar Archipelago

Zambia

Walking safari in South Luangwa National Park

• When did it reopen? 27 June
• Who’s allowed in? Zambia has not placed any specific restrictions on any countries.
• Why visit Zambia now? One of Zambia’s biggest draw cards are the Victoria Falls, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. While 75% of the Falls may be next-door, Zambia does lay claim to Devil’s Pool, a natural “infinity pool” perched on the edge of Victoria Falls which is bound to thrill even the most hardened adrenaline junkie. With arguably some of Africa’s best kept safari destinations, Kafue National Park (Zambia’s largest reserve) and the Lower Zambezi National Park offer astounding experiences for intrepid safari-goers. Our recommendation would be to take advantage of the availability to visit South Luangwa National Park – the ‘birthplace of the walking safari’. Read why Carl, one of our Travel Experts, believes this to be Africa’s best off-the-beaten-track safari.

Suggested Tour:

Discover Zambia with Matthew

10 Nights

Lower Zambezi National Park • South Luangwa National Park

Maldives

One of the most romantic destinations in the world

• When did it reopen? 15 July
• Who’s allowed in? Anyone who is symptom-free and in possession of a confirmed booking in a registered tourist establishment.
• Why visit the Maldives now? While a number of Mediterranean beach holiday destinations might peak your interest of late, none have the secluded luxury or pristine beauty of the Maldives. Comprising a string of idyllic islands, this complex and vibrant coral atoll offer the world’s best cyan-blue waters, whiter-than-white sand beaches and pure isolation in this tropical oasis. A haven for turtles, reef manta rays, and other marine wildlife, it also offers one of the best places to dive or snorkel with whale sharks between the months of August and November. If seclusion, luxury and unmatched beauty are what you are looking for, we recommend this island paradise for the whole family.

Our recommendation:

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa

Beach Resort

Kenya

Maasai warriors near Lake Manyara, Photo Credit: Ws Safari

• When did it reopen? 1 August 2020
• Who’s allowed in? All travellers from “safe countries” are allowed to enter Kenya.
• Why visit Kenya now? Walk in the footsteps of Maasai guides as you are led through the savannah, or stroll along the peak of Karen Blixen’s Ngong Hills, this safari destination needs no introduction. Home to an array of national parks and reserves boasting an abundance of wildlife – most notably the famed Maasai Mara National Park that runs into the Serengeti National Park in neighbouring Tanzania – Kenya is an opportune base from which to observe one of the world’s great natural wonders: The Great Migration. If you have the time, why not look to combine both safari heavy-weights, Kenya and Tanzania, in one truly wild safari itinerary?

Suggested Tour:

Experience A Classic East African Safari

11 Nights

Kilimanjaro & Arusha • Tarangire National Park • Ngorongoro Crater •  Serengeti National Park

Seychelles

Arial view of one of the islands of the Seychelles

• When did it reopen? 1 August 2020
• Who’s allowed in? The Seychelles has a list stipulating which countries fall within the low-risk or medium-risk category and who is allowed access. The full list is updated every 14 days.
• Why visit the Seychelles now? The Seychelles is, in short, the very embodiment of a secluded, island paradise with over 100 mostly uninhabited islands. With granite-backed hills rising out of the ocean, covered in thick, tropical forest and all surrounded by talcum-powdered beaches and cerulean waters; this should be on everyone’s post lockdown holiday list. If pure luxury is your desire, we recommend hopping into a helicopter and making your way to your own exclusive resort, on your own private island. Since the perfect time to visit the Seychelles is between June and November, now is the time to book your luxury holiday.

Our recommendation:

Fregate Island Private

Private Islands

South Africa

The iconic Table Mountain

• When did it reopen? 1 October 2020
• Who’s allowed in? Only citizens from the low or medium risk country list are allowed entry. This list is updated every 2 weeks. Please find full details on country lists here.
• Why visit South Africa now? From the rocky coastline of the Cape Peninsula in the south to the naked landscape of the Lowveld in the north, South Africa is a world within one country and is the perfect safari holiday destination. Add in the dense forests of the Garden Route or the quaint fishing villages of the West Coast or the breathtaking Winelands of Stellenbosch or Franschhoek and you could end up staying here forever.

Suggested Tour:

Cape Town, Kruger, Victoria Falls & Botswana Tour

12 Nights

Cape Town • Sabi Sand Game Reserve • Victoria Falls •  Moremi and Okavango Region

Namibia

The colour contrasts in Sossusvlei

• When did it reopen? Namibia had a phased reopening from September 2020.
• Who’s allowed in? Namibia has not placed any specific restrictions on any countries.
• Why visit Namibia now? Namibia is a land of contrasts and with the second lowest population density in the world – this is the perfect self isolation destination. Visitors to Namibia are often surprised that this barren and alien-like landscape supports so much wildlife. If a self-drive holiday is something you are looking for, this country boasts some of the world’s best routes to explore.

Suggested Tour:

Experience the Ultimate Namibian Adventure

11 Nights

Windhoek • Namib-Naukluft National Park • Swakopmund •  Damaraland • +2

Botswana

A mokoro ride at sunset in the Okavango Delta

• When did/will it reopen? 1 December
• Who’s allowed in? Botswana has not placed any restrictions from travellers from specific countries.
• Why visit the Botswana now? Botswana is an African safari paradise and one of Southern Africa’s most prosperous countries. From the parched earth of the Kalahari to the teeming waterways of the Okavango – the wealth of natural treasures to thrill every traveller is astounding. Botswana is a highly seasonal travel destination with huge demand for peak periods. With Covid-19 having disrupted the usual travel cycle, there are many incredible specials to take advantage of as well as availability during times of the year which would normally require a booking of over a year in advance. There has never been a better chance to visit this natural wonderland – read more here about when you should look to book your Botswana holiday.

Suggested Tour:

Adventure Tour with Iconic Landscapes & Big 5 Safari

8 Nights

Okavango Delta • Moremi and Okavango Region • Chobe Region •  Victoria Falls

Which other notable African Countries are Open for Travel

Mauritius

Sunset over Grand-Baie in Mauritius

Reopened on 1 September 2020

Uganda

The amazing Chimps in Uganda

Reopened 1 October 2020

Zimbabwe

An African sunset never to be forgotten, Lake Kariba

Reopened 1 October 2020

Why book your holiday with Rhino Africa?

Rhino Africa was founded on an unbridled passion for Africa – its people, its magnificent wildlife and its unmatched scenery. We specialise in luxury, tailor-made itineraries, and our travel experts know Africa better than a leopard knows its spots. For 16 years we have crafted bespoke experiences for our guests from all across the globe and have established ourselves as the authority on luxury African travel.

Rhino Africa is also committed to giving back and enriching the continent we call home. Especially now, we know that travel should benefit those who have been most affected by Covid-19. By travelling with us, our guests know that they directly contribute to protecting the majestic wildlife, landscapes as well as educating and feeding the vulnerable communities of Africa.