If ever there was a destination that assured travellers of wide-open spaces, it is undeniably Victoria Falls. Over the year, we have had time to dream, and now it is time to move into the planning phase of your safari escape.
The US-based travel and tourism agency, Tourlane, has named Zimbabwe the safest place to visit in the world when countries reopen their borders for international travel post-Covid-19 restrictions. Discover more about our product-specific protocols in the video below.
Travelling to Zimbabwe
Requirements On Arrival In Zimbabwe
- All passengers arriving at Victoria Falls Airport are required to present a negative PCR COVID-19 Clearance Certificate obtained within 48 hours before departure, in line with WHO Guidelines. If officials believe a traveller to be symptomatic, they may be required to undergo a further PCR test on arrival, regardless of the negative certificate.
- All passengers are required to complete a COVID-19 contact-tracing document on arrival.
- An Airport Official will take passengers’ temperatures. Anyone recording a temperature equal to or higher than 38°C will be tested for COVID-19.
Travellers that test positive will then be required to go into local isolation for 10 days. Isolation is at the traveller’s own expense. After quarantine, travellers will need to be retested before they are permitted to travel home or on to their next destination.
Travellers are to adhere to WHO COVID-19 standard practices at all times, such as maintaining social distancing, wearing a mask and practising personal hygiene.
**PLEASE NOTE: Although the Zimbabwe land borders are closed, travellers can transit through the borders to catch flights
Requirements When Departing From Zimbabwe
If travellers require a COVID-19 Clearance Certificate for re-entry to their home country or to board their onward flight, this can be performed 24 hours prior to departure at the Lancet laboratory and the Health Bridge Clinic in Victoria Falls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements on arrival at VFA?
Are COVID-19 PCR tests available for international travellers?
PCR and Rapid Diagnostic tests are available at all International Airports and most clinics and hospitals throughout the country. Additionally, Old Drift Lodge, Victoria Falls, offers an in-house COVID-19 PCR test that can deliver results within 3 hours.
What is the cost of each test?
PCR test is $60 if the test is conducted on the weekdays, and $70 on the weekends.
How long does it take to get the results on departure?
Can I be tested at a Wild Horizons lodge?
What will happen if a traveller gets infected while in the country?
old-drift-lodge-private-plunge-pool
Travelling to Zambia
Requirements on arrival in Zambia
- All passengers arriving in Zamia are required to present a negative PCR COVID-19 Clearance Certificate obtained within 72 hours before departure, in line with WHO Guidelines. If officials believe a traveller to be symptomatic, they may be required to undergo a further PCR test on arrival, regardless of the negative certificate.
- All passengers are required to complete a COVID-19 contact-tracing document on arrival.
- An Airport Official will take passengers’ temperatures. Anyone recording a temperature equal to or higher than 38°C will be tested for COVID-19.
Travellers are to maintain WHO COVID-19 safety measures whilst in Zambia such as maintaining physical distance, wearing a mask and practising personal hygiene.
Requirements When Departing Zambia
If travellers require a COVID-19 Clearance Certificate for re-entry to their home country or to board their onward flight, this can be performed 24 hours prior to departure at the Med Prof Clinic in Livingstone.
Operating hours: 08:00 to 17:00
IMPORTANT NOTES:
• We recommend guests conduct the test at least 24 hours before departure.
• Guests will be responsible for paying the cost of the testing in USD or ZMW in CASH ONLY – no card payments are accepted.
• Availability of tests cannot be guaranteed by Wild Horizons
• Test Result times cannot be guaranteed by Wild Horizons
Are COVID-19 PCR tests available for international travellers?
Yes.
The cost of the PCR test is US$120 pp (US$ cash or ZMW equivalent – NO CARD PAYMENTS). This includes taking samples and delivering results to hotels/lodges within the city limits.
Persons staying outside the City limits will need to present themselves at the clinic for testing and the cost is US$120 pp excluding transfers. Transfers can be booked with Wild Horizons at normal transfer rates.
What types of tests are available?
What is the cost of each test?
The cost of the test is $120 pp (cash USD or ZMW equivalent – NO CARD PAYMENTS). This includes taking samples and delivering results to Minor Hotels Resort (USD150 for hotels/lodges on the outskirts of the City Limits)
How long does it take to get the results on departure?
Please allow 24-48 hours for the results to be issued.
Can I book a test through Wild Horizons?
For guests staying in hotels/lodges within the City of Livingstone, Wild Horizons can make the reservation for PCR COVID Testing by the clinic or the client can book this direct (contact details above).
For those staying outside of the City, Wild Horizons can be booked to transfer guests to the clinic for testing and wait to transfer them back to their accommodation. Once the test results are available, Wild Horizons can be booked to collect the results and deliver them to the guests at their hotel/lodge.
Please note that testing times are subject to availability. Activities and touring will be scheduled to accommodate testing times.
What will happen if a traveller gets infected while in the country?
Requirements On Arrival In Botswana
- All arriving travellers must present a negative COVID-19 certificate obtained within 72 hours of travel (meaning within 72 hours prior to arriving in Botswana).
- Travellers will then be screened for COVID-19 and will have to take a Rapid test at the border post. Results take 15 mins and there is no cost.
- Symptomatic travellers will be subject to mandatory testing on arrival and possible isolation/ quarantine for a minimum of 14 days until a negative status is achieved.
Requirements On Arrival From Botswana
When departing from Botswana, travellers must present a PCR negative test result no older than 72 hours.
Are COVID-19 PCR tests available for international travellers?
Yes, at a cost of BWP 1000 per test. The results will be available between 24-48 hours.
How long does it take to get the results on departure?
We recommend guests conduct the test at least 24 hours before departure.
Where are the testing facilities?
There are testing facilities at Diagnofirm Laboratory. Diagnofirm will come to the hotel for testing, depending on the availability of staff. Alternatively, Wild Horizons can be booked to transfer the guests to the Laboratory for the test.
What will happen if a traveller gets infected while in the country?
Travellers are required to go into isolation/quarantine for a minimum of 14 days until a negative test result is achieved.
The quarantine facilities are currently Government approved private facilities and the cost will be at the travellers’ expense.
Over the last few months, we have implemented extensive new health and safety protocols to protect both our staff and our travellers. Our ‘Golden Rules of Prevention’ are measures that have been put in place across the board for our activities and lodges. For a more detailed analysis of product-specific protocols, please view the following documents for Activities, Tour & Transfers; African Odyssey; Our Lodges and The Wild Horizons Lookout Café.
Important Update
Wild Horizons will be facilitating Covid 19 Testing in Victoria Falls, Livingstone and Kasane.
Herewith are the need to know details:-
Victoria Falls & Livingstone
Wild Horizons will make the reservation for Covid Testing at the laboratories.
Please note that testing times are subject to availability.
Activities and touring will be scheduled to accommodate testing times. We will then transfer guests to the lab for testing and wait to transfer them back to their hotel.
Once the test results are available, Wild Horizons will collect the results and deliver them to the guests at their hotels.
Important notes :
• We recommend guests conduct the test at least 24 hours before departure.
• Availability of tests cannot be guaranteed by Wild Horizons
• Test Result times cannot be guaranteed by Wild Horizons
