International Traveller Updates

Please find information below pertaining to the Covid-19 protocols and regulations concerning our international guests for both Kenya and Rwanda.

Whilst we make every effort to ensure our information is accurate, please ensure that you check the latest travel requirements on the Kenya and/or Rwanda government websites and also contact your Foreign Office prior to departure for the latest up-to-date advice.

 

UPDATE ON KENYA:

GENERAL:

  • Kenya is OPEN for tourism subject to international travel rules.
  • Curfew has been lifted nationally.
  • All travellers arriving into Kenya MUST have an approved e-visa. Visas are no longer available on arrival. You can purchase your visa on http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html

ADVICE FOR THOSE ARRIVING INTO KENYA:

  • All travellers to Kenya aged 18 years and above, will be required to provide proof of their full vaccination status.
  • All ‘fully vaccinated’ travellers coming to Kenya do not need to present a PCR test but they do need to present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate. 
  • There are categories of travellers that are exempt from presenting a Covid-19 vaccination certificate such as being under the age of 18 years and / or having medical conditions precluding vaccination. Read more on these HERE (point 1).
  • ‘Fully vaccinated’ means having received the prescribed doses of the specific vaccine, with the latest vaccination received at least 14 days before arrival in Kenya (not including the day of vaccination).
  • Unvaccinated travellers aged five years and over must be in possession of a valid COVID-19 negative PCR test certificate conducted within 72 hours before departure, regardless of the route of entry.
  • Unvaccinated travellers aged five years and over, will also be subject to rapid antigen testing on arrival at a cost of USD30. Results are usually provided 15 minutes after sample collection. Any positive results will require a further PCR test at a cost of USD50 and required to self isolate.
  • There will be no paper verification of COVID-19 test results and vaccination certificates upon arrival into Kenya. Airlines should ensure that all travellers have uploaded both documents into global haven before boarding via www.globalhaven.org Those who have not done this will not be allowed to board the flight to Kenya.
  • All travellers (including those in transit) will be expected to fill the traveler’s health locator form and submit before travel (please do this once you have your airline seat numbers).  All arrivals are expected to self-monitor and report daily through the jitenge platform for 14 consecutive days in Kenya.
  • Any person who tests positive on antigen RDT at any point of entry will be isolated at a Ministry of Health designated facility (or at home for returning Kenyans and residents) for ten days at the travellers own cost. Further they shall be subjected to a COVID-19 PCR test before discharge.
  • We strongly recommend that you always double check the latest travel requirements with the Kenyan government and your Foreign Office.

ADVICE FOR THOSE DEPARTING KENYA:

  • All passengers departing Kenya aged 18 years and above, will be required to provide proof of their full vaccination status.
  • It is no longer required by the Kenyan government for travellers departing Kenya to take a PCR test. However, all passengers departing Kenya must ensure they know and abide by the COVID-19 testing requirements of their airline or their destination and /or transit points.
  • Travellers to UAE and USA are required to arrive at the airport 7 hours before their check in, to complete pre travel Rapid Antigen Testing.

Official government travel advice:

Additional information for Governors’ guests:

  • Governors’ is very pleased to offer PCR Covid-19 testing in our Masai Mara properties and we’re pleased to facilitate testing in Nairobi. You can find out more about this service HERE.
  • After your trip to Kenya, if your destination country requires a COVID-19 PCR to depart Kenya, we’ll be pleased to work with you to obtain a test with an authorised laboratory which will present you with a test certificate that is Trusted Travel (TT) verified. You will be required to present this to authorities on check-in at the international airport.

Travel Requirements for Kenya in-country:

  • Physical distancing must be observed where possible.
  • Mandatory wearing of face masks in public places has been lifted.
  • All passenger vehicles, trains and aeroplanes can resume full capacity, but all passengers must wear their face masks during travel.
  • All hospitality staff in Kenya, including those working in national parks plus drivers and guides, will be tested for COVID-19 every two weeks. Only staff that have tested negative are allowed to work in these spheres. At our Kenya properties, the staff will be tested every two weeks and once they have tested negative will be stationed in the lodge area, with no travelling to surrounding areas in the country during these two weeks.

 

UPDATE ON RWANDA (effective 13th May 2022)

GENERAL:

  • Rwanda is OPEN for tourism subject to international travel rules.

ADVICE FOR THOSE ARRIVING INTO RWANDA:

  • Arriving passengers at Kigali International Airport must present a negative Antigen Rapid Test (RDT) taken 72 hours prior to departure (meaning travelers must be tested and get results within 3 days of their first flight). COVID-19 Test is not mandatory for accompanied children under 5 years. Incoming travelers eligible (aged 12 years and above) for Covid-19 vaccine are encouraged to be fully vaccinated before their travel.
  • All travelers arriving in Rwanda must complete the passenger locator form and upload the COVID-19 Rapid test certificate taken within 72 hours before heading to the airport. Please see passenger locator form on www.rbc.gov.rw
  • An additional Antigen Rapid Test (RDT) will be taken upon arrival at own cost.
  • At the airport, the payment for the rapid test taken on arrival of 5 USD will be done as per the indications of the passenger locator form. For passengers who opt for a cash payment at arrival, the balance will be given in Local currency (FRW).

ADVICE FOR THOSE IN TRANSIT:

  • All transiting passengers must complete the passenger locator form and upload the Covid-19 Rapid test certificate taken within 72 hours before heading to the airport. Please see passenger locator form on www.rbc.gov.rw
  • Transiting/connecting travelers who are not leaving the airport for less than 12 hours will be screened upon entry and not required to take a second test (This is not applicable for transiting passengers by land borders, in that case, passengers will be tested using Antigen Rapid Test on arrival).

ADVICE FOR THOSE IN COUNTRY:

  • Tourists that are visiting any national park specifically for primate trekking need a negative RT-PCR test, taken within 24 hours, to visiting the national parks in Rwanda.
  • For all other activities in the parks such as hiking to Dian Fossey’s research camp and to enter Akagera National Park, a rapid antigen COVID-19 test is accepted.
  • Stricter in-country regulations are now in place,  Hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes and recreation centers may only serve clients/guests who are fully vaccinated. Passengers on public transport or those making use of gyms, fitness centres and swimming pools, as well attending conferences and events must also be fully vaccinated. This means that all our guests should be fully vaccinated when visiting Rwanda.
  • If a traveler’s test result is positive for COVID-19 (even if asymptomatic) while in Rwanda, they will be treated as indicated in the National Covid-19 Management Guidelines available on www.rbc.gov.rw until they have fully recovered, at their own cost. We encourage all travelers to have international travel insurance.

ADVICE FOR THOSE DEPARTING RWANDA:

  • Departing passengers at Kigali International Airport must present a negative Rapid or PCR test (depending on requirement at destination) taken 72 hours prior to departure. COVID-19 Test is not mandatory for accompanied children under 5 years. Travelers are advised to check with airlines about the COVID-19 requirements of the final destination and/or transit countries and plan for their Covid-19 test accordingly.

Official government travel advice:

 

Other Covid-19 protocols to note when in Rwanda:

  • Physical distancing must be observed where possible.
  • The wearing of masks is mandatory.
  • Temperature screening before entering buildings is mandatory.
  • Stricter in-country regulations, especially in Kigali. Those visiting restaurants, cafés and bars in Kigali and secondary cities, must be fully vaccinated. Likewise if attending a conference, meeting or place of worship.
  • All hospitality staff in Rwanda, including those working in national parks plus drivers and guides, will be tested for COVID-19 every two weeks. Only staff that have tested negative are allowed to work in these spheres. At Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, the staff will be tested every two weeks and once they have tested negative will be stationed in the lodge area, with no travelling to surrounding areas in the country during these two weeks.

Gorilla trekking protocols:

  • Wearing a mask while gorilla trekking is mandatory.
  • The maximum number of people on a gorilla trek has been reduced to 6 (used to be 8). It is also possible to book an exclusive trek for US$ 15,000.
  • Whilst at Volcanoes National Park HQ, visitors will be briefed on the safety and health measures that are to be followed in order to ensure the wellbeing of oneself and the endangered mountain gorillas.
  • Temperatures will also be tested prior to the trek to ensure all visitors are in the recommended temperature range advised by the ministry of health.
  • To date, if visitors are turned back by park authorities for ‘medical’ reasons, their permits will be refunded.

 

Please also see our TRAVEL PLANNING page which offers further advice, on preparation for your trip to Kenya and Rwanda.

For information on our Covid-safety procedures at each of the Governors’ properties in both Kenya and Rwanda, please click HERE.