An East Africa safari visa comparison starts with one fact that surprises many first time planners: the East Africa Tourist Visa does not cover Tanzania. It covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda only. That single detail changes which routes make sense, how much you pay, and where you need to queue at the border.

What Is the East Africa Tourist Visa?

The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) is a $100 multiple entry permit for tourism in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for up to 90 days. It is not a visa for all of East Africa. Tanzania, Burundi, and South Sudan are outside the arrangement, so travelers visiting those destinations need separate documentation.

The permit works well for a continuous trip inside those three countries. You can fly into Nairobi, cross to Uganda for gorilla trekking, loop into Rwanda, and return to Kenya without paying separately at each border. It is not always the right choice though. If your safari stays in one country, a single country permit usually costs less.

East Africa Safari Visa Comparison: Costs and Coverage

The table below compares the main permits for a typical safari route. Fees on official websites change, and some nationalities pay different amounts, so treat these as the common listed fees as of September 2026.

PermitCoverageCommon listed fee
East Africa Tourist VisaKenya, Uganda, Rwanda$100
Kenya eTAKenya onlyAbout $30
Uganda eVisaUganda onlyAbout $50
Rwanda tourist visaRwanda onlyAbout $50
Tanzania eVisaTanzania onlyAbout $50

The EATV is often the cheaper option when one trip includes all three covered countries. For a single country safari, the EATV can cost more than the permit you actually need. It also saves nothing when Tanzania is on the itinerary, because Tanzania stays outside the regional arrangement.

Country Entry Systems Compared

Kenya generally uses an electronic travel authorization. Uganda uses an online tourist eVisa. Rwanda offers online and arrival based tourist visas for many nationalities. Tanzania uses its own eVisa system.

  1. Kenya eTA. Most Kenya safari travelers apply for an eTA before arrival. It is not the same as the old sticker visa, and it is processed online. Travelers visiting the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, or the coast normally need only this authorization.
  2. Uganda eVisa. Gorilla trekkers heading to Bwindi or Mgahinga usually apply for the Uganda eVisa. The application asks for accommodation and activity details, so have your gorilla permit confirmation ready.
  3. Rwanda visa. Rwanda is the most flexible of the four. Many nationalities can apply online or get a visa at the airport, but rules vary, so check before booking.
  4. Tanzania eVisa. Tanzania requires its own eVisa for most visitors. The system is separate from Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Do not assume an approved East Africa Tourist Visa will let you enter Tanzania.

Which Safari Routes Need Which Visa?

Use the East Africa Tourist Visa for a continuous Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda journey, such as Maasai Mara followed by gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda. A Kenya plus Tanzania itinerary needs separate Kenya and Tanzania permits. A Kenya only safari normally needs only Kenya’s authorization.

  1. Kenya only route. If your trip is entirely in Kenya, apply for the Kenya eTA. Start with the Masai Mara guide to plan the park section of your route.
  2. Kenya and Tanzania route. You need the Kenya eTA plus the Tanzania eVisa. This is the most common safari combination, and the border crossing needs care. Read the Kenya-Tanzania safari border planning guide before you choose a road transfer from the Mara to the Serengeti.
  3. Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda route. The East Africa Tourist Visa usually makes sense for this type of trip. Compare actual costs with the Uganda and Rwanda safari cost comparison so you know how the gorilla trek portion changes your budget.
  4. Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar route. You still need separate Kenya and Tanzania entry permits. Zanzibar also has its own entry guidance, including mandatory travel insurance. If you are weighing a beach add on, compare options in the Zanzibar vs Diani Beach article before extending your itinerary.

How Should You Apply and When?

Apply online through the official immigration portal for the country where you will first enter, or for the regional visa through the first issuing country’s official site. Allow several working days before departure. Kenya is often listed at around three working days, Rwanda at three to seven, and Tanzania at ten or more.

  1. Apply early, but not so early that your passport validity expires before the trip.
  2. Use only official government links. Fake visa sites charge extra and look convincing.
  3. Keep the approval email or PDF on your phone and in your carry-on bag. Border officers may ask to see it before your boarding pass is issued.

Do not assume the East Africa Tourist Visa is available at every land border. Some border posts process it, but procedures change and wait times can be long. The safer plan is to apply before you arrive.

What Other Documents Do You Need?

Expect to show a passport valid for at least six months, onward travel evidence, accommodation details, and vaccination records. Yellow Fever certification is especially important for travelers entering Uganda. Zanzibar also requires mandatory travel insurance under current guidance. Check the rules for your nationality before paying an application fee that may not be refundable.

A cheaper visa choice is not always the best safari plan. The real goal is a route that matches the wildlife you want to see and the border crossings you can handle comfortably. That is why the regional visa works best for a gorilla focused trip, while separate Kenya and Tanzania permits remain the standard for a Mara and Serengeti safari.

Compare Safari Operators for Your Route

When you have your route and visa sorted, compare safari operators on FindMySafari, Valley Safaris, or Trunktrails Safaris to browse packages that include border transfers, park fees, and the right timing for each country.

More safari planning resources

More safari planning resources