Coronavirus Update

We extend our sympathy and co-operation to everyone affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the drastic measures governments are implementing to prevent its spread.

Whilst many of you are sitting at home, why not go on a “virtual” holiday with us. We have many sample itineraries as well as tours and safaris that have already been booked for you to look through. Browse our website – there is lots of information for you.

South Africa and Namibia are both still under various stages of lockdown with measures steadily being relaxed. In South Africa all domestic interprovincial travel is now allowed for business and leisure purposes and international travel movement is now also open (as from 1 October 2020), subject to further regulations and conditions.

Namibia is open to international travellers under the targeted tourism initiative (implemented as from 1 September 2020) and while initially, strict requirements were set to allow travel, this has since been amended making travel possible and more favourable for tourists to visit. These are the current requirements:

• Tourists should submit, in writing, their intention to enter Namibia to the relevant Namibian diplomatic representative in the intended country of departure, 14 days before entering Namibia.
• All travellers must have a certified negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result to present on entry. The test should not be older than 7 days (from the time the test sample was taken) from country of departure. On this basis, travellers will be permitted to proceed to their final destination in Namibia.
  (This requirement does not apply to children under the age of 5 years)
  (All travellers who arrive in Namibia with a negative COVID-19 test result that is older than 7 days, will be placed in quarantine and tested for COVID-19 on the same day (at own cost). Once a negative test result is received, travellers will be released from quarantine. If positive, isolation is at own cost according to isolation protocols in place.)
• All travellers coming from or transiting through hotspot regions are required to repeat the SARS-CoV-2 PCR test 7 days after arrival in Namibia.
• Tourists will have to complete a primary surveillance form and a health questionnaire to be submitted with their full travel itinerary on arrival at the airport.
• Tourists must have private travel insurance to cover medical care or an unexpected hotel stay.
• Only NTB (Namibia Tourism Board) registered accommodation will be considered given they have also been health certified accordingly and comply with safety guidelines and protocols.
• Returning Namibian citizens or Permit Holders may enter the country with or without a COVID-19 test result. In the event of a positive test result or no result on arrival, they will be tested immediately on arrival while in quarantine. On receipt of a negative test result they will be released from quarantine. Anyone arriving with a positive test result will be isolated on arrival at a designated isolation facility or in home isolation subject to mandatory assessment and approval by an authorised medical officer.

While the above pertains to entry into Namibia, it is also of utmost importance to ensure that you comply with the requirements of the airline you will be travelling with as well as to note the requirements stipulated by your country of residence for your return.

If you have any questions with regards to the above, please contact your consultant for more information and further assistance. We are excited that things continue to progress and we are hopeful that the procedures implemented will become even easier as time passes. We are ready to welcome you to discover Namibia with all necessary protocols and procedures in place for you to ‘travel safe’.

Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana are now also open for international travel with restrictions easing to make travel possible again. For more specific information relating to these destinations you can visit our Covid Information by Country page.

Despite having to postpone booked trips, we are happy to report that over 60% of our clients have deferred their trips to instead travel this year or in 2022, with a further 30% choosing to postpone their trips without yet confirming their new travel dates.

With this pandemic comes many changes and we have had to revise our cancellation / postponement policy accordingly. Take a look at our Updated COVID Terms and Conditions.