The onus is upon the client to ensure passports and visas, as may be required, are valid prior to departure for Africa.
We recommend using this tool: PASSPORT INDEX. Click FIND to locate your passport and all the visa requirements will display on a dashboard. Click COMPARE to add up to five passports. Passport Index is a free tool built with publicly available information and content contributed by government agencies and fans worldwide. Although data is reliable and up-to-date, we strongly recommend confirming requirements with the relevant embassies before you travel.
Passports must have at least five blank VISA pages and must be valid for at least six months from your return-home date. On the various journeys we travel: South Africa, eSwatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, DRC and Angola. Zimbabwean, DRC and Angolan visas must be obtained prior to travel. We request that all other visas are obtained prior to travel when possible to avoid potential delays at the border posts. Some nationalities are eligible to purchase port-of-entry visas. Immigration forms will be available on board. Please ensure you have a minimum of US$200 in cash with you. Please check with the relevant embassies in good time and see below for more details including ports of exit/entry.
IMPORTANT ZIMBABWE IMMIGRATION UPDATE
Zimbabwe’s new online immigration process has taken immediate effect at all border posts including rail borders, which were previously exempt. This system has permanently replaced the manual declaration form. As there is no WiFi or online assistance at the rail borders, it is essential to complete the online application before departure to avoid delays at the border. All nationalities are required to apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation within 60-20 days of the train’s departure date and ensure payment (if any) is made online at the latest 15 days before the train’s departure date. Should you require a visa, costs start from US$30. We suggest making payment online to avoid delays. Please track your application on the portal as you may not receive confirmation emails. Tour leaders may include up to 12 travellers per application and may submit multiple applications concurrently. At check-in, please supply your printed eVisa that includes a QR code or email it to reservations@rovos.co.za before check-in. Printing/viewing may only be achievable from a PC. Please see below for more details including ports of exit/entry.
Travelling into Zimbabwe with Rovos Rail
Ports of Entry
– Victoria Falls PRY-VFA 3 nights: Beitbridge Border Post (Day 1)
– Victoria Falls PRY-VFA 4 nights: Beitbridge Border Post (Day 2)
– Dar es Salaam CPT-DAR: Plumtree Border Post (Day 8)
– Dar es Salaam DAR-CPT: Victoria Falls Border Post (Day 7)
– Copper Trail LOB-VFA: Victoria Falls Border Post (Day 15)
– Southern Cross PRY-VFA: Beitbridge Border Post (Day 7)
Mode of Travel: By train
Train Number: Rovos
Host in Zimbabwe: Rovos Rail
Address in Zimbabwe: Hotel accommodation or Rovos Rail should you not be overnighting in Zimbabwe
Funds available at time of entry: US$200 suggested
Travelling by plane into Zimbabwe to board Rovos Rail
Port of Entry Victoria Falls VFA-PRY + Copper Trail VFA-LOB: Victoria Falls International Airport
Mode of Travel: By plane
Host in Zimbabwe: Rovos Rail
Address in Zimbabwe: Hotel accommodation or Rovos Rail should you not be overnighting in Zimbabwe
Funds available at time of entry: US$200 suggested
COUNTRY VISA APPLICATION WEBSITES
Angola smevisa.gov.ao
Botswana evisa.gov.bw
DRC evisa.gouv.cd
Eswatini evisa.gov.sz
Mozambique evisa.gov.mz
Namibia eservices.mhaiss.gov.na
South Africa ehome.dha.gov.za
Tanzania visa.immigration.go.tz
Zambia eservices.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm
Zimbabwe evisa.gov.zw
EXIT / ENTRY border posts on all journeys along with the day of exit/entry
Victoria Falls – Pretoria-Victoria Falls (3 nights)
Day 1 Musina, South Africa / Beitbridge, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls – Pretoria-Victoria Falls (4 nights)
Day 2 Musina, South Africa / Beitbridge, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls – Victoria Falls-Pretoria (3 nights)
Day 2 Beitbridge, Zimbabwe / Musina, South Africa
Victoria Falls – Victoria Falls-Pretoria (4 nights)
Day 3 Beitbridge, Zimbabwe / Musina, South Africa
Golf Safari – Pretoria-Pretoria (start Dullstroom)
Day 3 Komatipoort, South Africa / Mpaka, Eswatini
Day 4 Mpaka, Eswatini / Golela, South Africa
Golf Safari – Pretoria-Pretoria (start Sun City)
Day 6 Golela, South Africa / Mpaka, Eswatini
Day 7 Mpaka, Eswatini / Komatipoort, South Africa
Namibia Safari – Pretoria/Cape Town-Walvis Bay
Day 3 Nakop, South Africa / Ariamsvlei, Namibia
Namibia Safari – Walvis Bay-Pretoria/Cape Town
Day 9 Ariamsvlei, Namibia / Nakop, South Africa
Southern Cross – Pretoria-Victoria Falls
Day 3 Komatipoort, South Africa / Ressano Garcia, Mozambique
Day 4 Goba, Mozambique / Mpaka, Eswatini
Day 5 Mpaka, Eswatini / Komatipoort, South Africa
Day 7 Musina, South Africa / Beitbridge, Zimbabwe
African Collage – Pretoria-Cape Town
Day 3 Komatipoort, South Africa / Mpaka, Eswatini
Day 4 Mpaka, Eswatini / Golela, South Africa
African Collage – Cape Town-Pretoria
Day 10 Golela, South Africa / Mpaka, Eswatini
Day 11 Mpaka, Eswatini / Komatipoort, South Africa
African Trilogy – Pretoria-Walvis Bay
Day 3 Komatipoort, South Africa / Mpaka, Eswatini
Day 4 Mpaka, Eswatini / Golela, South Africa
Day 9 Nakop, South Africa / Ariamsvlei, Namibia
Copper Trail – Victoria Falls-Lobito
Day 1 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe / Livingstone, Zambia
Day 7 Ndola, Zambia / Sakania, DRC
Day 10 Dilolo, DRC / Luau, Angola
Copper Trail – Lobito-Victoria Falls
Day 4 Luau, Angola / Dilolo, DRC
Day 8 Sakania, DRC / Ndola, Zambia
Day 15 Livingstone, Zambia / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Cape Town-Dar es Salaam
Day 7 Kopfontein, South Africa / Tlokweng, Botswana
Day 8 Francistown, Botswana / Plumtree, Zimbabwe
Day 10 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe / Livingstone, Zambia
Day 13 Nakonde, Zambia / Tunduma, Tanzania
Dar es Salaam-Cape Town
Day 3 Tunduma, Tanzania / Nakonde, Zambia
Day 7 Livingstone, Zambia / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Day 10 Plumtree, Zimbabwe / Francistown, Botswana
Day 11 Tlokweng, Botswana / Kopfontein, South Africa