Africa travel tips for U.S. travelers

Facts last checked October 27, 2026 against the official sources listed at the end of this page. Rules, fees and advisories change; confirm with the official source before you book. Not a government website.

Africa has 54 countries, and advice that fits Cape Town will not fit Kinshasa. This page focuses on the countries Americans most often visit for safaris: Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Botswana. Each has its own detailed guide. Here you will find the preparation they have in common, and the differences that catch travelers out.

Passports: validity and blank pages

Entry rules differ more than most people expect. From the State Department country pages:

Two things to know:

• Airlines enforce these rules at check-in. If your passport does not meet the destination's validity or page requirement, you may be denied boarding in the U.S., or refused entry and sent back on arrival.
• Extra pages cannot be added to U.S. passports. If you are short on pages, you need a new passport. Check whether you can renew by mail or online, and leave plenty of time.

Traveling with children: South Africa and Botswana have specific documentary rules for minors, including unabridged birth certificates and parental consent in some cases. See the country guides.

Visas and eTAs: use the official sites

• Kenya: apply for an eTA at etakenya.go.ke at least three days before travel. The standard eTA costs $30; Kenya also offers U.S. citizens a five-year multiple-entry eTA for $185.
• Tanzania: the tourist visa for U.S. citizens is a $100 one-year multiple-entry visa. Apply online through the official immigration portal visa.immigration.go.tz, or get it on arrival.
• South Africa and Botswana: no visa needed for tourist stays of up to 90 days.

Search results are full of look-alike visa sites that charge a markup or collect your data. Type the official address directly, or follow the link from the State Department country page.

Health: see a travel clinic at least a month ahead

CDC advises seeing a healthcare provider at least a month before international travel, and earlier is better for a safari. Some vaccines need more than one dose or time to take effect, and malaria medication must be started before you arrive.

Yellow fever

The rules depend on your route, not just your destination:

• Arriving directly from the U.S., none of the four countries requires proof of yellow fever vaccination, according to CDC.
• Arriving from a country with yellow fever risk, travelers age 1 and older need proof of vaccination. For Tanzania, South Africa and Botswana, this includes transits of more than 12 hours in an at-risk country. If you combine a safari in Kenya with a trip to Tanzania or South Africa, ask about this.
• CDC recommends the vaccine for most travelers to Kenya age 9 months and older, except for travel limited to Nairobi, the former North Eastern Province and most of the coast. It does not generally recommend it for Tanzania, South Africa or Botswana.

Malaria

CDC lists malaria risk in:

• Kenya: all areas below 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), including game parks, with rare cases in central Nairobi.
• Tanzania: all areas below 1,800 meters (5,900 feet).
• South Africa: Kruger National Park and parts of Mpumalanga, Limpopo and northern KwaZulu-Natal, and along the borders with Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
• Botswana: northern districts including Chobe and the Okavango Delta area. No risk in Gaborone.

Ask your doctor which preventive medication is right for you, and pack insect repellent, long sleeves and trousers for evenings.

Current outbreak notices

Check CDC's travel notices before you book and again before you leave. As of late October 2026:

• Ebola (Bundibugyo virus): CDC has notices for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, and a Level 1 notice for Kenya (October 19, 2026) after an imported case and linked cases in Nairobi. The State Department raised Kenya's advisory to Level 3 the same day, citing health risks.
• Returning to the U.S.: CDC says anyone who has been in the DRC within the previous 21 days cannot board a flight to the U.S. From November 3 to December 18, 2026, all passengers on international flights to the U.S. must attest that they have not been in the DRC. U.S. citizens who have been in Uganda or South Sudan within 21 days are routed through Washington Dulles, Atlanta or New York JFK for screening.
• Polio and measles: CDC's polio notice includes Tanzania, and its measles notice is global. Make sure routine vaccines are up to date.

Safety

Read the full advisory

The overall level is only the start. Most safari parks are far from the areas with the highest warnings, but your route, including where you stay before and after the safari, matters. Enroll in STEP to get embassy alerts by email.

Common-sense precautions

• Road travel is often the biggest risk. All four countries drive on the left. The State Department warns about poor roads and hazards after dark in Kenya and elsewhere; avoid driving at night outside cities.
• Airports: the State Department warns of baggage theft at Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo and Cape Town airports. Keep valuables and medicines in your carry-on.
• Photography: Tanzania forbids photographing military installations, and people have been detained for photographing other sites such as airports and bridges. Ask before photographing people.
• Wildlife products: buying or exporting ivory, rhino horn and other animal products is illegal and can carry severe penalties.
• Local laws: Kenya and Tanzania criminalize same-sex sexual activity; South Africa and Botswana do not. Read the "Local laws" section of each State Department page.

Money

• Cash still matters in rural areas and for tips. Kenyan banks have been known to refuse older U.S. bills, according to the State Department, so bring newer notes.
• Cards are widely accepted in South African cities, but card skimming and ATM scams are common. Use ATMs inside banks or malls.
• Currency limits apply: for example, Kenya limits departing travelers to 100,000 Kenyan shillings, and South Africa has a ZAR 25,000 limit on cash.

Electricity and phones

Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Botswana use 220 to 240 volt power. Plug types vary between and even within countries. Check the IEC World Plugs database for each country and bring the right adapters. Most phone chargers handle 100 to 240 volts, but hair dryers and similar devices may not. Remote camps may only charge devices at set times.

Insurance and emergencies

The State Department strongly recommends supplemental insurance covering medical evacuation for all four countries. It notes that Medicare does not apply overseas and that many providers want cash or payment before treatment. Read the callout below for what to check in a policy.