Country Guides
Verified travel intelligence for 54 African countries.
Algeria
North Africa • Algiers
Most foreign visitors must obtain a consular visa in advance from an Algerian diplomatic mission prior to travel. Limited visa-on-arrival facilities exist only for organized tour groups visiting specific southern desert regions via approved local agencies.
Angola
Southern Africa • Luanda
Citizens from numerous nations can enter Angola visa-free for tourism stays up to 30 days per entry, while non-exempt visitors must obtain an eVisa pre-authorization or consular visa prior to arrival. Passports must have at least 6 months of validity remaining.
Benin
West Africa • Porto-Novo
Most foreign tourists require a visa obtained in advance, which can easily be completed online via the official eVisa system, while African and ECOWAS citizens enjoy visa-free entry. All travelers must present a passport valid for at least 6 months and a mandatory yellow fever vaccination certificate upon arrival.
Botswana
Southern Africa • Gaborone
Citizens of many Western, Commonwealth, and SADC countries can enter Botswana visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days, while nationalities requiring a visa must apply in advance via the official eVisa portal or an embassy.
Burkina Faso
West Africa • Ouagadougou
Most foreign visitors require an entry visa obtained in advance or online via the official eVisa portal, alongside a passport valid for at least 6 months. Visa-free access applies primarily to citizens of ECOWAS member states, while visas on arrival are not available for ordinary tourists.
Burundi
East Africa • Gitega
Travelers to Burundi must obtain a visa, which can be secured online in advance or issued upon arrival. A passport with at least six months of validity and one blank page is required for entry.
Cabo Verde
West Africa • Praia
Many tourists (including EU, UK, and US citizens) can visit Cabo Verde visa-free for up to 30 days, while non-exempt travelers can typically obtain a visa on arrival or apply beforehand. All travelers must complete an online pre-registration (E.A.S.E.) and pay the Airport Security Fee (TSA) prior to arrival.
Cameroon
Central Africa • Yaoundé
Travelers to Cameroon must obtain a visa, which is primarily processed through the official electronic visa (eVisa) system. Visitors are also required to provide proof of yellow fever vaccination and hold a passport with at least six months of validity.
Central African Republic
Central Africa • Bangui
Most travelers require a pre-arranged visa obtained from a Central African diplomatic mission before arrival, as there is no official eVisa system. CEMAC member state citizens may be exempt from visa requirements.
Chad
Central Africa • N'Djamena
All foreign travelers must obtain a visa exclusively through the official online e-Visa platform prior to arrival. Manual visa processing has been abolished, and travelers are advised to apply at least seven days before their intended entry date.
Comoros
Indian Ocean • Moroni
All foreign nationals require a visa to enter Comoros, which is generally available upon arrival at Hahaya International Airport and other points of entry for a fee of 30 Euros.
Congo (Brazzaville)
Central Africa • Brazzaville
Most travelers require a visa to enter the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville), which must be obtained in advance from a diplomatic mission. Visa-free entry for African citizens is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027.
Congo (Kinshasa)
Central Africa • Kinshasa
Travelers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo generally require a visa obtained prior to arrival, as entry rules are strictly enforced and travel is currently discouraged due to significant security and health risks.
Côte d'Ivoire
West Africa • Yamoussoukro
Non-ECOWAS citizens require a visa to enter Côte d'Ivoire, which must be obtained prior to travel via the official e-visa portal or at an embassy. A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity is mandatory for entry.
Djibouti
East Africa • Djibouti
All visitors must hold a valid visa to enter Djibouti, which can be obtained as an eVisa prior to travel or, for many nationalities, purchased upon arrival at the airport. Travelers are also required to provide evidence of onward travel.
Egypt
North Africa • Cairo
Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Egypt, which can be obtained via the official e-Visa portal or as a visa on arrival at international airports. Travelers must also possess a passport valid for at least six months beyond their arrival date.
Equatorial Guinea
Central Africa • Malabo
All travelers to Equatorial Guinea must obtain an e-Visa or a traditional visa prior to arrival, as there is no visa on arrival available. Travelers must arrive via Malabo International Airport when using an e-Visa.
Eritrea
East Africa • Asmara
All non-Eritrean passport holders must obtain a visa prior to arrival through an Eritrean embassy or consulate, as visas are not routinely issued at the border.
Eswatini
Southern Africa • Mbabane
Travelers from many countries can enter Eswatini visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, while citizens of countries requiring a visa must obtain one in advance via the official eVisa portal or a diplomatic mission.
Ethiopia
East Africa • Addis Ababa
Most international travelers require a visa to enter Ethiopia, which can be obtained as an eVisa online or, for eligible nationalities, as a visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Citizens of Kenya and Djibouti are exempt from visa requirements.
Gabon
Central Africa • Libreville
Most foreign visitors require a visa to enter Gabon, which must generally be obtained in advance from a Gabonese embassy or via an official electronic visa portal for arrival at Libreville International Airport. A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the arrival date is required, and visa policies should be checked before travel due to recent bilateral suspensions.
Gambia
West Africa • Banjul
Entry requirements for The Gambia vary significantly by nationality, with some travelers exempt from visas, others eligible for visa-on-arrival, and many requiring advance visas or entry clearance. Travelers must possess a valid passport and may be required to provide proof of sufficient funds and onward travel.
Ghana
West Africa • Accra
Most foreign tourists require an advance visa or approved electronic visa (eVisa) and a passport valid for at least 6 months, while ECOWAS citizens enjoy visa-free entry. General visa on arrival is not available for ordinary tourists without prior emergency authorization from the Ghana Immigration Service.
Guinea
West Africa • Conakry
Most foreign visitors require an eVisa obtained in advance or must apply through an embassy, though select nationalities enjoy visa exemption. Passports must have at least six months of validity remaining beyond arrival.
Guinea-Bissau
West Africa • Bissau
Most foreign tourists require a visa to enter Guinea-Bissau, which can be obtained on arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport, online via the official eVisa system, or through an embassy. Passports must have at least 6 months of validity beyond arrival.
Kenya
East Africa • Nairobi
Most foreign visitors must apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) via etakenya.go.ke before travel, as traditional visas have been abolished. Passports must have at least six months of validity remaining and two blank pages.
Lesotho
Southern Africa • Maseru
Tourists from many countries (including the US, UK, and EU member states) can enter Lesotho visa-free for up to 14 to 180 days depending on nationality. Other travelers must obtain an eVisa or embassy visa prior to arrival, as visas on arrival are not generally offered.
Liberia
West Africa • Monrovia
Most foreign travelers must obtain a visa in advance from a Liberian diplomatic mission or via the Liberia Immigration Service online pre-approval portal if no embassy is present in their country. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay.
Libya
North Africa • Tripoli
Most foreign tourists must obtain a visa prior to travel, available via the official eVisa portal or Libyan diplomatic missions, usually requiring sponsorship or booking through a licensed Libyan tour operator. Visa on arrival is not available for ordinary tourists, and entry is barred for travelers with Israeli stamps or visas in their passport.
Madagascar
Indian Ocean • Antananarivo
Tourists traveling to Madagascar must hold a valid visa, which can be obtained in advance online via eVisa or directly on arrival at international airports. A return ticket and passport with adequate blank pages are also required upon entry.
Malawi
East Africa • Lilongwe
Most foreign visitors require a visa to enter Malawi, which can be obtained either online through the official e-Visa portal or on arrival for eligible nationalities. A passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival is required.
Mali
West Africa • Bamako
Most foreign travelers require an advance visa from a Malian diplomatic mission or portal to enter Mali, while ECOWAS citizens enjoy visa-free entry. Notably, visa issuance to U.S. citizens has been suspended with very limited exceptions.
Mauritania
West Africa • Nouakchott
Most foreign visitors must pre-register online for an electronic visa (eVisa) before travel, with the visa fee paid upon arrival in USD or EUR. Passports must have at least six months of validity from the date of entry.
Mauritius
Indian Ocean • Port Louis
Most tourists can enter Mauritius visa-free for up to 60 to 90 days with proof of onward travel and sufficient funds. All inbound travellers must complete the online Mauritius All-in-One Travel Digital Form prior to boarding.
Morocco
North Africa • Rabat
Citizens from over 60 countries, including the US, UK, EU, and Canada, can enter Morocco visa-free for tourist stays up to 90 days. Non-exempt travelers must obtain an eVisa online via the Accès Maroc portal or an embassy visa prior to arrival.
Mozambique
Southern Africa • Maputo
Tourists traveling to Mozambique must obtain an eVisa or eTA online prior to travel, unless originating from a visa-exempt country. Passports must have at least 6 months validity, and travelers must submit proof of accommodation, return flights, and sufficient funds.
Namibia
Southern Africa • Windhoek
Travelers visiting Namibia require a passport valid for at least 6 months with 3 blank pages, along with proof of accommodation, sufficient funds, and return/onward travel. While certain nationalities enter visa-free, eligible tourists can obtain a visa on arrival at major ports of entry or apply beforehand via the official electronic portal.
Niger
West Africa • Niamey
Most foreign visitors require an entry visa obtained in advance at a Nigerien diplomatic mission, with exceptions primarily for citizens of ECOWAS member states. There is no general visa-on-arrival or eVisa system available for ordinary tourists.
Nigeria
West Africa • Abuja
Most foreign tourists require a visa obtained prior to travel through the official Nigeria Immigration Service portal or a Nigerian mission abroad, along with an advance digital health declaration and arrival registration. Ordinary tourist visas are not granted on arrival.
Rwanda
East Africa • Kigali
Most travelers require a visa to enter Rwanda, which can be obtained on arrival for a stay of 30 days or arranged in advance online. Passports must have at least six months of validity remaining beyond the date of arrival.
São Tomé and PrÃncipe
Central Africa • São Tomé
Citizens of the US, EU, Canada, and CPLP countries can enter São Tomé and PrÃncipe visa-free for up to 15 days, while others must obtain an eVisa prior to arrival unless holding a valid US or Schengen visa. Passports must have at least 6 months validity from arrival with at least one blank page.
Senegal
West Africa • Dakar
Senegal permits citizens of many countries (including the US, EU, and ECOWAS member states) visa-free entry for tourism stays of up to 90 days. Passport holders not eligible for visa exemptions must obtain an entry visa prior to departure from a Senegalese diplomatic mission.
Seychelles
Indian Ocean • Victoria
Seychelles is a visa-free country for all nationalities, but all visitors must obtain an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure and receive a free Visitor's Permit upon arrival.
Sierra Leone
West Africa • Freetown
Most foreign visitors require a visa to enter Sierra Leone, which can be obtained in advance as an eVisa or upon arrival for eligible travelers, while ECOWAS citizens enter visa-free. Passports must have at least six months of remaining validity from the date of arrival.
Somalia
East Africa • Mogadishu
Most foreign visitors traveling to Somalia must obtain an electronic visa (eTAS/eVisa) online prior to arrival, along with holding a passport valid for at least 6 months. Visa-on-arrival is not routinely available for general tourists at major federal ports like Mogadishu, though separate arrival visa rules apply for Somaliland via Hargeisa.
South Africa
Southern Africa • Pretoria
Citizens of many countries (including the US, UK, and EU nations) can enter South Africa visa-free for tourism stays up to 90 days. Travelers not eligible for visa exemptions must obtain an eVisa or embassy visa in advance, as visa-on-arrival is not offered.
South Sudan
East Africa • Juba
Most travelers are required to obtain an eVisa prior to arrival in South Sudan, though citizens of Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are exempt from visa requirements. Travelers must ensure they have a valid passport and proof of required vaccinations before travel.
Sudan
North Africa • Khartoum
Most travelers are required to obtain a visa from a Sudanese diplomatic mission in advance, which typically necessitates a pre-issued entry permit from the Ministry of Interior in Khartoum and a local sponsor.
Tanzania
East Africa • Dodoma
Tourists entering Tanzania require a passport valid for at least six months, proof of return travel, and a valid entry visa. Most ordinary passport holders can obtain an eVisa online or purchase a visa upon arrival at designated entry ports.
Togo
West Africa • Lomé
Most non-African tourists require an electronic visa (e-Visa) obtained online prior to departure, alongside a mandatory pre-travel declaration via the official Voyage Togo platform. African passport holders enjoy visa-free entry for up to 30 days but must still complete an online pre-arrival travel declaration at least 24 hours before travel.
Tunisia
North Africa • Tunis
Many tourists (including citizens of the US, UK, and EU) can enter Tunisia visa-free for up to 90 days with proof of accommodation and return travel, while others must obtain a visa in advance from an embassy.
Uganda
East Africa • Kampala
Travelers must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months and obtain an electronic visa (eVisa) prior to departure, as visas on arrival are generally discontinued.
Zambia
Southern Africa • Lusaka
Tourists entering Zambia need a passport valid for at least six months with three blank pages; nationals from over 160 countries are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days, while others can obtain a visa on arrival or apply for an eVisa.
Zimbabwe
Southern Africa • Harare
Tourists entering Zimbabwe can do so visa-free (Category A) or obtain a visa on arrival (Category B, covering most Western and Commonwealth nations), while some nationalities must apply in advance. Travelers require a passport valid for at least 6 months with 2-3 blank pages, along with proof of funds and return travel.