the dusty diary - wanders & wonders in africa

 


navigation map home maps 'n routes the travellers pix 'n memories the dusty diary african links

 

THE V FILES            17 October 2001

Much of our frustration, and many a question from friends and fellow travellers, has been about visas. What we need, where to get it and how much it costs - the last seeming to rank in the same category of usury as traffic officers! Here's what we've learned so far, and we'll keep updating it as we go along.
Many of the visas are only valid for between 30 days and three months from date of issue, so check this before applying for the visa - it may not be worth getting it before you start your trip.
When in doubt, speak to your friendly travel agent. The help we received from Lenor McGrath at Glenwood Travel in Pretoria was invaluable - advice, directions, forms, you name it. Travel agents may charge you at times, but we found any costs were nominal, especially in comparison with the help we received.
Also ask your travel agent for an old copy of The GSA (in SA) a monthly publication containing all the visa requirements and conditions. The GSA's Web site is, appropriately, http://the-gsa.co.za.
DESTINATION UK Types SA Types
South AfricaNoNo (really!)
NamibiaNoNo
BotswanaNoNo
Zambia: Seffricans can get visas free at the border.NoYes
MalawiNoNo
Tanzania: Get them before you go as they aren't issued at the border. $50 a piece and valid for 3 months from date of issue.YesYes
Ethiopia: One of the few countries that distinguishes between Africans and "Foreigners". Seffricans pay $20 (about R170), West Europeans fork out $45-50. Available in Kenya. You also need a letter from the embassy for the border guards (We haven't worked this one out yet but we'll let you know)YesYes
Eritrea: Available in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) at $30 a time.YesYes
Sudan: $50 or R400 - whichever is the greater - is the going rate. Valid for 30 days from issue date. They won't be issued in SA for overlanders but are available in Addis Ababa and Nairobi.YesYes
Egypt: Nice guys, these - Seffricans get their visas free. Brits may disagree - a single-entry visa is R500 (about $60)YesYes
BACK DUSTY DIARY NEXT

 

Considering everything is our own sweat and blood, the site, pix, text and all doodads are copyrighted to Robb and Lisa Northey. If you'd like to use the information for private use, feel free to do so - but acknowledge us, inform us and include a link to this site. For any other use, please contact us first at DustyDiary@yahoo.co.uk.