South Africa Opens Borders to All Countries

Negative COVID test

The key requirement for being allowed entry into South Africa is to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test from a qualified testing facility, not older than 72 hours before departure. In most countries, this requires booking an appointment for a specific date and requesting a PCR test that will give you a result within 24-48 hours, then take the certificate or printout of that result and have it signed by the relevant health professional, and carry it with you to present upon check-in, and upon arrival in South Africa. A test result on your phone as a text message is not accepted. It needs to be a certificate from an approved lab or testing facility, signed by a health professional, in English.

Depending on the requirements of your home country, you may also need to arrange for either a PCR test or a rapid antigen test before heading back home. This can be arranged and booked in advance with the help of your booking consultant.

Wear a mask please

For the time being, a number of standard COVID-19 safety protocols can be expected everywhere. There will be the usual temperature checks and symptom screening at the airport upon departure and upon arrival. In addition, you will be required to wear a mask on the plane, in the airport and whenever you are in public, including in your transfer vehicle and during game drives. The mask can of course be removed in your hotel room and during meals.

You may also be asked to present your itinerary and show your bookings so you can easily be traced or contacted at your lodge or hotel should anyone in your party or from your flight be tested positive. The South African government is encouraging all citizens and tourists to download and install the COVID Alert app, an excellent little app which has been designed to help alert people whenever they've been in close contact with an infected person, based on anonymous bluetooth data. The app is totally anonymous and has been certified by independent third parties to be safe and secure, and preserves your privacy. It is not used to track anyone.

All the above temporary measures are in everyone's best interest while the virus still presents a risk worldwide. These measures are not very invasive and should not be seen as a major inconvenience. They are a small price to pay for the freedom and privilege of being able to travel again, while we continue our fight against this virus. In time, once the pandemic has been defeated, things will return to normal again.

Is it safe to book now?

Yes, in our view it is safe to book now. In fact, to ensure availability it is advisable not to wait until the last minute, as many 2020 bookings have been postponed, so availability is already limited for the peak safari season in 2021.

Wild Wings Safaris, along with most of our suppliers, have developed flexible cancellation policies in case of a COVID-19 cancellation, to minimize the risk of loss if you are prevented from travelling due to COVID-19.

South Africa's travel industry has compiled and implemented a world class set of comprehensive COVID-19 safety protocols, which all tourism suppliers (including airlines, hotels, game lodges, transfer companies and tour operators) have agreed to adhere to, and which will minimize contact between the travellers and limit the risk of infection during your trip.

And of course, it is no secret that Africa, with its remote wilderness areas and wide open spaces, remains the best post-COVID travel destination in the world. The continent had the lowest number of cases and deaths, and an African safari is the perfect trip if your goal is to relax in safety, avoid large crowds, get plenty of sunshine and fresh air, and enjoy the great outdoors and beautiful wildlife this region has to offer. So don't hesitate, contact us now and start planning your trip.

See you soon in South Africa!