Planning an unforgettable Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya safari? Before you start your gorilla trekking adventure, wildlife safari or cultural journey, it is important to understand the visa requirements for travelling across East Africa.

For travelers planning to visit Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya for tourism, the East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) can make multi-country travel much easier. It is a joint tourist visa that allows eligible travelers to visit the three participating countries during a single 90-day validity period.

The East Africa Tourist Visa currently costs US$100, is valid for 90 days, and allows multiple entries within Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya while you remain within the participating countries.

At Mambo Gorilla Safaris Uganda, we regularly help travelers plan Uganda gorilla trekking safaris and wider East African adventures. Understanding your visa and entry requirements before departure is an important part of preparing for a smooth safari.

Important: Immigration and entry requirements can change. Always verify the latest requirements with the official immigration authority before travelling.

Quick Answer: Do You Need a Visa to Visit Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya?

If you are an international traveler planning a tourism trip covering Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya, you may be able to use the East Africa Tourist Visa rather than obtaining separate tourist visas for each country.

The East Africa Tourist Visa:

Covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya
Costs US$100
Is valid for 90 days
Allows multiple tourism entries within the three countries
Does not permit employment
Is not valid for Tanzania or other countries outside the arrangement
Should generally be obtained through the country that will be your first point of entry

Uganda’s immigration authority specifically states that the issuing country should be the traveler’s first entry point.

What Is the East Africa Tourist Visa?

The East Africa Tourist Visa is a regional tourist visa created to make tourism between Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya easier.

Instead of arranging separate tourist visas for all three countries, eligible travelers can use the joint EATV when their itinerary involves the participating countries.

This makes it particularly useful for travelers planning a safari such as:

Kenya → Uganda → Rwanda

Rwanda → Uganda → Kenya

Uganda → Rwanda → Kenya

For a traveler combining gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with a Kenya wildlife safari, the regional visa can be a convenient option.

Which Countries Does the East Africa Tourist Visa Cover?

The East Africa Tourist Visa covers only:

🇺🇬 Uganda

Famous for mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park.

🇷🇼 Rwanda

Home to Volcanoes National Park, one of Africa’s premier destinations for mountain gorilla trekking.

🇰🇪 Kenya

Known for spectacular wildlife destinations including the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo.

Does the Visa Cover Tanzania?

No.

The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya only.

If your itinerary includes Tanzania, you should check Tanzania’s separate immigration requirements.

East Africa Tourist Visa Requirements

Travelers applying for the East Africa Tourist Visa should prepare the required supporting documents before beginning the application.

Uganda’s official immigration authority lists the following requirements:

Passport bio-data page
Passport valid for at least six months
Recent passport-size photograph
Yellow fever vaccination certificate
Return ticket
Travel itinerary
Any additional documents requested during processing

All attached documents should be in English.

Your Passport

Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity remaining.

It is also advisable to have sufficient blank pages for immigration processing.

Yellow Fever Certificate

A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is an important document for travelers visiting East Africa.

Keep it with your passport and other travel documents throughout your safari.

Travel Itinerary

Your itinerary should clearly show where you intend to travel.

For example:

Nairobi – Maasai Mara – Entebbe – Bwindi – Kigali

This is particularly useful when applying for a regional tourist visa.

How Much Does the East Africa Tourist Visa Cost?

The current East Africa Tourist Visa fee is:

US$100

Uganda’s immigration authority lists the fee at US$100, while Rwanda’s official immigration information also confirms a US$100 fee for the East Africa Tourist Visa.

Visa fees are generally non-refundable.

Additional bank or payment charges may apply depending on the application system and payment method.

How Long Is the East Africa Tourist Visa Valid?

The East Africa Tourist Visa is valid for:

90 days

It allows multiple entries between Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya during the validity period, provided you remain within the participating countries.

The visa is intended for tourism and does not authorize employment.

Where Should You Apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa?

Your first country of entry is important.

Uganda’s immigration authority states that the country issuing the East Africa Tourist Visa should be your first entry point. Rwanda provides the same guidance for travelers who obtain the EATV before travelling.

For example:

If Uganda is your first destination

You can arrange the visa through Uganda’s official immigration system.

If Rwanda is your first destination

You can apply through Rwanda’s official immigration system or the channels specified by Rwanda Immigration.

If Kenya is your first destination

Check the latest Kenyan immigration requirements before travelling because Kenya operates an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system alongside its regional travel arrangements.

How to Apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa Through Uganda

If your safari starts in Uganda, the application can be made through the official Uganda immigration visa portal.

The general process is:

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Have ready:

Passport
Passport photograph
Yellow fever certificate
Return or onward ticket
Travel itinerary
Other supporting documents if requested

Step 2: Complete the Online Application

Enter your personal information, passport details and travel information accurately.

Step 3: Upload Supporting Documents

Upload clear copies of the documents requested by the immigration system.

Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee

The EATV fee is currently US$100.

Step 5: Wait for Processing

Immigration officials review the application and may request additional information if necessary.

Step 6: Download Your Approval

Once approved, keep a digital and printed copy of your approval documentation with your passport.

Applying for the East Africa Tourist Visa Through Rwanda

Rwanda’s immigration authority states that travelers intending to visit Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda simultaneously for tourism can apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa online, upon arrival or through a Rwandan diplomatic mission abroad.

The visa:

Costs US$100
Is valid for 90 days
Allows multiple entries
Is for tourism
Does not permit employment

If you obtain the EATV before travelling through Rwanda, Rwanda’s official guidance states that Rwanda should be your first entry point.

What About Kenya’s eTA?

Kenya’s immigration system currently uses an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for visitors who are not exempt.

Kenya’s official eTA website states that visitors who require an eTA must receive approval before beginning their journey. The application can require a passport valid for at least six months after arrival, a passport-type photograph or selfie, contact details, arrival and departure information, accommodation confirmation and payment information.

However, Kenya currently lists citizens of East African Partner States, including Uganda and Rwanda, among those exempt from the eTA under the applicable rules.

Important for International Safari Travelers

Do not assume that the Kenya eTA and East Africa Tourist Visa are the same document.

Your exact requirements depend on your nationality, itinerary and first point of entry.

If you are planning a Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda safari, check the current official immigration requirements before travelling.

East Africa Tourist Visa vs Separate Country Visas

Which option is best depends on your itinerary.

East Africa Tourist Visa

The EATV may be ideal if you:

Want to visit Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya
Are travelling primarily for tourism
Plan to move between the three countries
Want a regional tourist visa
Will complete your trip within the 90-day validity period

Separate Visas or Authorizations

You may need individual arrangements if:

You are visiting only one country
You are travelling to Tanzania or another country outside the EATV arrangement
Your purpose is employment or study
Your nationality has special entry requirements
Your itinerary does not qualify for the EATV

Why Combine Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya on One Safari?

A multi-country East African safari allows you to experience very different landscapes and wildlife destinations in one journey.

At Mambo Gorilla Safaris Uganda, we can help travelers build itineraries around their main interests, including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, wildlife viewing and cultural experiences.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Uganda is one of the best places in Africa to encounter endangered mountain gorillas.

The main destinations are:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Gorilla trekking takes you into the rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family.

Mambo Gorilla Safaris Uganda specializes in organizing Uganda gorilla trekking experiences and can help travelers combine gorilla trekking with other wildlife and cultural experiences.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is another exceptional destination for mountain gorilla trekking.

It can be particularly convenient for travelers arriving through Kigali International Airport.

Kenya Wildlife Safaris

Kenya offers a completely different safari environment.

A Kenya extension can include:

Maasai Mara
Amboseli National Park
Lake Nakuru
Tsavo National Parks
Nairobi

Combining the mountain gorillas of Uganda or Rwanda with the savannah wildlife of Kenya creates a diverse East African safari.

Best Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya Safari Combinations

1. Uganda Gorilla Trekking + Kenya Safari

This is an excellent option for travelers who want to combine mountain gorillas with the Big Five and classic savannah wildlife.

A possible itinerary:

Entebbe → Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth National Park → Nairobi → Maasai Mara

2. Uganda + Rwanda Gorilla Safari

This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to experience gorilla trekking in both countries.

Possible route:

Kigali → Volcanoes National Park → Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth National Park → Entebbe

3. Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda

For a longer East African adventure:

Nairobi → Maasai Mara → Entebbe → Bwindi → Kigali → Volcanoes National Park

This combination gives you wildlife, rainforest, mountain gorillas and the cultural attractions of East Africa.

Can I Travel Between Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya With the Same EATV?

Yes.

The EATV is specifically designed for tourism involving the three participating countries and allows multiple entries within them during the 90-day validity period.

However, be careful if your itinerary takes you outside the three-country arrangement.

If you leave Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya for a country such as Tanzania, you should verify how this affects your visa before making the journey.

Can I Use the East Africa Tourist Visa to Work?

No.

The EATV is strictly for tourism.

Uganda and Rwanda both state that employment is not permitted under the East Africa Tourist Visa.

If you are travelling for work, study, volunteering or another purpose, you should obtain the appropriate authorization.

Can the East Africa Tourist Visa Be Extended?

The standard East Africa Tourist Visa is not renewable upon expiry or after leaving the Uganda-Rwanda-Kenya block, according to Uganda’s immigration authority.

If you expect to stay longer than 90 days, investigate the appropriate immigration status before beginning your trip.

Common Visa Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using an Unofficial Visa Website

Always use official government immigration websites.

Rwanda’s immigration authority warns travelers about unauthorized agents who may mislead applicants or charge more than the official fee.

2. Applying Through the Wrong Country

Remember that the country issuing your EATV should generally be your first entry point.

3. Forgetting Your Yellow Fever Certificate

Keep your vaccination certificate with your passport.

4. Assuming the Visa Covers Tanzania

It does not.

5. Applying at the Last Minute

Give yourself sufficient time for application processing and possible requests for additional documentation.

6. Giving Inconsistent Information

Your passport details, travel itinerary, accommodation information and other application details should be accurate and consistent.

What Should You Carry on Your East African Safari?

Before leaving for your trip, make sure you have:

Valid passport
Visa or travel authorization
Visa approval documentation
Yellow fever vaccination certificate
Return or onward ticket
Accommodation confirmations
Safari itinerary
Travel insurance
Emergency contact information
Digital copies of important documents

For gorilla trekking, you should also prepare appropriate hiking clothing, waterproof footwear, gardening gloves, rain gear and other trekking essentials.

Frequently Asked Questions About East Africa Visas

How much is the East Africa Tourist Visa?

The current fee is US$100.

How long is the East Africa Tourist Visa valid?

It is valid for 90 days.

Which countries are covered?

The EATV covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya.

Can I visit Tanzania with the East Africa Tourist Visa?

No. Tanzania has separate immigration requirements.

Can I work with the EATV?

No. It is a tourism visa.

Is the East Africa Tourist Visa multiple entry?

Yes, for travel within Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya during its validity period.

What documents do I need?

Requirements can vary, but Uganda lists a passport with at least six months’ validity, passport photograph, yellow fever certificate, return ticket and travel itinerary.

Can I apply online?

Yes. Uganda and Rwanda provide online application options for the EATV.

Do I need a Kenya eTA?

That depends on your nationality and circumstances. Kenya’s current rules include exemptions, including citizens of East African Partner States. Other visitors may need an approved eTA before travel.

Plan Your Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya Safari With Mambo Gorilla Safaris Uganda

A successful East African safari starts with good preparation.

Whether your dream is to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi, track chimpanzees in Kibale, explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, visit Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park or watch wildlife in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, combining destinations correctly can give you an unforgettable African adventure.

Mambo Gorilla Safaris Uganda can help you organize a customized East African safari based on your interests, travel dates and budget.

We can help you plan:

Uganda gorilla trekking safaris
Rwanda gorilla trekking trips
Uganda chimpanzee trekking
Uganda wildlife safaris
Kenya and Uganda safari combinations
Uganda-Rwanda safari itineraries
Uganda-Rwanda-Kenya multi-country safaris
Cultural and community experiences
Airport transfers
Accommodation
Transportation and safari activities

Ready to Plan Your East African Safari?

Contact Mambo Gorilla Safaris Uganda and let us help you create a personalized itinerary combining the best of Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya.

Your East African adventure can begin with the mountain gorillas of Uganda and continue across the spectacular landscapes and wildlife destinations of the region.

Plan early, confirm your visa requirements and secure your gorilla permits in advance for the best safari experience.