Navigating the visa requirements for an East Africa safari — a trip that may cover Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania in a single itinerary — requires understanding three different visa systems and their interactions. The good news: the East Africa Tourist Visa (a single visa covering Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda at USD $100) dramatically simplifies the most common cross-border combination. The Tanzania visa (separate, USD $50) is available online and on arrival. This guide covers the complete 2025 visa situation for all four East Africa countries, with specific guidance for multi-country itineraries.
East Africa Tourist Visa: USD $100 for Three Countries
The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) is a joint entry permit issued by Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda that allows entry to all three countries on a single USD $100 visa, valid for 90 days from first entry. How it works: the EATV is applied for through the Uganda eVisa portal (visas.immigration.go.ug) or the Kenya eCitizen portal (ecitizen.go.ke). Specify on the application that you want the “East Africa Tourist Visa” (not a single-country Uganda or Kenya visa). The visa allows: entry to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda in any order, multiple times within the 90-day validity. The USD $100 fee is the same regardless of which portal you apply through. Processing time: 2–5 business days online. Who should use the EATV: any visitor whose itinerary includes two or more of Kenya-Uganda-Rwanda in one trip. The saving versus three separate visas (Uganda USD $50, Kenya USD $51, Rwanda USD $50) is approximately USD $51 on the three-country combination. Important: the EATV does not include Tanzania — Tanzania requires a separate USD $50 visa.
Uganda eVisa: Single Country
Planning your East Africa self-drive circuit? Car Hire 4×4 Drive provides fully-equipped 4×4 vehicles for Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda with COMESA insurance and cross-border documentation included. See how the booking process works or send a circuit enquiry for a quote within 24 hours.
Uganda single-country eVisa (for Uganda only, not including Kenya or Rwanda): USD $50, applied through visas.immigration.go.ug. Processing time: 2–5 business days. Valid for 90 days, single entry. The single Uganda eVisa is the correct choice only if Uganda is the only country in the itinerary (no Kenya or Rwanda). Note: Uganda also issues visas on arrival at Entebbe International Airport at USD $50, but the online eVisa is strongly recommended (the on-arrival process can be slow — 1–2 hours if there is a queue, and the risk of being rejected on arrival for incomplete documentation exists, whereas online eVisa rejection is handled before travel). Required documents for Uganda eVisa: scan of passport photo page, recent passport-size photograph, confirmed return flight booking (or onward itinerary showing departure from Uganda).
Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania Visas
- Rwanda visa: USD $50, applied through irembo.gov.rw (the national government services portal). Processing: 3 business days. Rwanda also offers visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport (USD $50 cash). Many nationalities receive Rwanda visa-free — check the RDB website for your specific nationality.
- Kenya visa: USD $51 online through ecitizen.go.ke. Processing: 3–5 business days. Kenya implemented ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) replacing the previous e-visa system — all visitors must apply online before arrival (no visa on arrival at Kenyan airports since January 2024).
- Tanzania visa: USD $50 online through immigration.go.tz. Processing: 3–5 business days. Tanzania also issues visas on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and Dar es Salaam airport for most nationalities. EU and US passport holders: yes, Tanzania visa is required.
- Yellow fever certificate: Required for entry to Uganda (mandatory), recommended for all four countries. International Vaccination Certificate (yellow card) must show the vaccination date and the certificate number.
A 4×4 is essential for circuits that include the Ngorongoro Crater descent (which requires centre differential lock), the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest approach road in wet season, or Kidepo Valley National Park. For circuits that stay on sealed national highways and well-maintained murram roads in dry season a capable 2WD can manage — but the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 GX with full 4WD and diff lock is always the safest and most reliable choice for any East Africa self-drive circuit.
You need a valid driving licence (plus an International Driving Permit if your licence is not in English), the COMESA Yellow Card insurance certificate, a cross-border authority letter from the vehicle owner for each transit country, and the vehicle registration document. Car Hire 4×4 Drive prepares all cross-border documentation for the specific countries on your circuit as part of the standard hire process — no separate arrangement needed.
Yes. Most East Africa self-drive circuits do not require technical off-road skills — the majority of driving is on sealed national highways or well-maintained murram park roads. The vehicle handover at collection includes a full demonstration of the 4WD system. If your circuit includes genuinely technical sections such as the Ngorongoro Crater descent or Bwindi wet-season approach, a car with driver can be arranged for those sections if you have no prior 4WD experience.
Book 4 to 8 weeks in advance for standard circuits. For July to August peak season and December to January, book 3 to 4 months ahead. If your circuit includes gorilla trekking, Uganda permits via UWA should be booked 2 to 6 months ahead and Rwanda permits via the RDB 3 to 9 months ahead — the vehicle booking should align with confirmed permit dates. See the How It Works page for the complete booking process and deposit schedule.
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 GX is the standard recommendation for any circuit covering two or more countries, or any circuit including Tanzania (Ngorongoro requires mandatory 4WD with diff lock) or Uganda’s challenging approach roads. For Kenya-only or Rwanda-only dry-season circuits the Land Cruiser Prado is a cost-effective alternative. For groups of 6 or more passengers, the Toyota Hiace 9-seater safari van with pop-up roof is the most cost-effective per-person option.
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