Single visa for 5 Southern African Countries
Five Southern African countries namely Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, are expanding their regional unified visa programme named the “univisa“.
This new move is inspired by Europe’s Schengen visa will offers travellers a single entry permit for all five countries. These five countries are members of the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA), the world’s second-largest nature and landscape conservation area in Africa.
The univisa is set to ease cross-border travel while enhancing tourism and driving economic growth. Simultaneously, it is also expected to strengthen regional cooperation in tourism efforts among the five countries.
Currently, the univisa allows access to Zimbabwe and Zambia, with day trips to Botswana through Kazungula.
According to regional leaders attending a KAZA Heads of State summit in Zambia, plans are underway to extend the unified visa programme (univisa) to other KAZA member countries and parts of the Southern Africa economic bloc.
The statement adds that the KAZA TFCA, located in the great Zambezi and Kavango river basins, offers visitors some of the best game viewing in Africa.
Vice President of Botswana Slumber Tsogwane said his country would fully adopt the univisa. KAZA member states also resolved to urge the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to lift a ban on the trade of elephants and ivory.
It says that the 184-member inter-governmental CITES regulates wildlife trade to protect certain species from over-exploitation. It banned trade in African elephant ivory in 1989 after the animal’s population had declined sharply in the previous decade.
KAZA states say they hold USD 1 billion worth of ivory stockpiles, which they want to trade to fund conservation programmes. It also boasts diverse ecosystems, from lush forests and savannas to deserts and the iconic Okavango Delta, spanning over 15,000 sq km.
The KAZA area is home to several national parks and conservation forests in southern Africa, including the Chizarira National Park, Chobe National Park, Hwange National Park, Kafue National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, and the Sioma Ngwezi National Park. Other attractions include Ngonye Falls, Lake Kariba, and plenty of opportunities for adventure, camping, and wildlife safaris.
How much is a KAZA UniVisa?
The UNIVISA – standard fee of US$50 – where credit card point of sale facilities are not available at port of entry it is recommended that clients have US$50 available for payment.
Can I get a one online?
Visitors to Zambia may use the online payment facility on the Zambia e-visa website. There is a small surcharge will be added for online purchase, and an approval letter will be issued to show to the immigration official on arrival.
Visitors to Zimbabwe may also use Zimbabwe e-visa website to pre-apply and make the payment online.
Note: If you get the online KAZA visa from the Zambian e-visa website, your first port of entry will have to be a Zambian one. If you get the visa on the Zimbabwean e-visa website, then your first port of entry must be one of the Zimbabwe ones.
How long is the UniVisa valid?
Validity – the KAZA UNIVISA is valid for 30 days as long as you remain in Zimbabwe or Zambia, and clients can cross into Zimbabwe/Zambia as frequently as they like within the 30 day period. (If the UNIVISA is obtained at Victoria Falls and you cross over to Zambia at Kariba or Chirundu or vice versa the visa would be valid).
Can I extend my KAZA UniVisa?
The UNIVISA is not extendable. However, you can buy a new UNIVISA (up to 3 per year). You do NOT have to by a UniVisa. You can purchase normal single and double entry visas if they suit you better.