Travel Alert - Coronavirus

Coronavirus Travel Update for Africa

Option to Postpone your Safari up to December 2022*

Originally Posted: March 13, 2020
Last Updated: June 2, 2020 @ 5:50pm

With the ongoing changes in travel due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the rapidness at which things are changing around us, we are continually adapting to serve the needs of our customers. Some countries in Africa have restricted foreign visitors, or now require additional screening/testing and quarantine periods. Additionally, airlines have reduced their number of departures.

Lion World Travel is monitoring news and guidelines coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and governmental departments in North America and Africa to ensure the safety of all of our guests.

Know that Lion World Travel is in constant contact with our suppliers throughout Africa. For concerned travelers, we are happy to say that for the majority of bookings, you now have the option to postpone travel to as late as December 9, 2022*. There are some exceptions, so please call us at 1 800 387 2706 to confirm what travel options you have if you want to change, postpone, or transfer your impacted trip with Lion World Travel.  

Future Travel Credits: Should you be uncertain about new travel dates or other changes to your booked vacation, we will gladly issue a travel credit for any future travel with Lion World Travel. Credit for issued airline tickets as well as all booked accommodations would remain with the same suppliers. Our Africa Specialists will be able to give you information specific to your booking. In some cases credits can be moved to other TTC brands.

If restrictions are still in place when the time comes for your safari, we can work with you to adapt your plans or destinations as needed. If you prefer to travel elsewhere than Africa for the time being, Lion World Travel is part of The Travel Corporation family of brands, providing travel and tour options around the world.

We are adding more departures on our Exclusive Vacation Packages for 2021 already, for travelers to choose their new departure date. For the vast majority of our 2021 re-bookings, we are able to get travelers on the exact same safari, without a price increase. 

The health, safety and overall wellbeing of all of our travelers is a top priority for Lion World Travel, and we want everyone who books with us to enjoy their dream trip to Africa! If you have any questions at all, and wish to postpone your safari, our Africa Specialists are here to answer your call. See below for some important details before you consider re-booking your African safari.

* Important Notes:

• If you choose to postpone travel to 2021: almost all Exclusive Vacation Packages can be re-booked on the same safari, during the same season, with no penalities or extra costs.
• If you choose to postpone travel to 2022: please be aware that the itinerary and inclusions may change, and 2022 re-bookings might be subject to price increases. We will contact you with dates and prices for 2022 safaris as soon as they are available.
• Provided that you talk to us at least 30 days before your originally booked departure, most of our Exclusive Vacation Packages can be re-scheduled to a future date of the same safari and season (for any departure up to December 9, 2022, based on availability.)
• Requests to postpone a safari received less than 30 days to departure may be subject to change fees
• If deciding to re-schedule your safari, you have up to 60 days from the date you notified us of your intention to postpone your travel, to advise us what your new preferred date of travel is, or to advise us you will re-book to travel in 2022.
• For postponing custom and private safari bookings, please contact us to review your options
• Postponed trips may incur change or cancellation fees from airlines, and some of our accommodation suppliers in Africa
• Standard cancellation penalties still apply to all bookings. You can view our booking terms and conditions here.
• Future Travel Credits: Airfare portions of travel credits are valid until December 31, 2021; while land travel portions of travel credits are valid until December 31, 2022. 
• If the newly chosen date is priced higher than the originally booked departure, travelers are responsible to pay the difference.
• This offer is valid until further notice, and this policy may change at any time

Country-Specific Restrictions and Travel Alerts in Africa:

• Botswana:
  The country is closed except to returning Nationals and permanent residents. No new visas are being issued and previously issued visas are being cancelled. Botswana has declared a state of emergency until September 2020.
• Egypt:
  Egypt is closed, except to citizens and permanent residents. The country has a mandatory 7-day quarantine period in place, and almost all international flights are currently suspended.
• Kenya:
  The Kenyan government currently has a ban on all international flights in and out of the country. Anyone arriving within the last 14 days must self-quarantine.
• Mauritius:
  The country is on lockdown and access to Mauritius for all passengers will be denied until further notice.
• Mozambique:
  All arrivals to Mozambique require a 14-day self-quarantine. Additionally, all visas have been cancelled.
• Namibia:
  No visas are being issued upon arrival. A ban on visitors from affected countries has been implemented.
• Rwanda:
  All borders are closed to tourists. All tourism activities (including Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park) have been suspended.
• Seychelles:
  Visitors from any foreign country (except returning citizens) are restricted from entering the country. All international flights have been suspended.
• South Africa:
  South Africa is in lockdown, tourism facilities are closed. South African Airways has suspending all international, and some regional Africa flights.
• Tanzania and Zanzibar:
  Very limited flights may begin in June 2020. Tourism services are limited. Travelers are required to complete a Travelers Surveillance Form and follow social distancing suggestions, including proper hand hygiene and wearing masks. Visitors may be required to go into quarantine upon return to their home country. All hotels in Zanzibar are currently closed.
• Uganda:
  Uganda is in a nationwide lockdown. All passenger flights in and out of the country have been suspended. All land borders are closed.
• Zambia:
  Strict 14-day quarantine measures are in place. All international flights are suspended, except for those arriving and departing from the international airport in Lusaka. Testing may be done upon arrival. No public gatherings are allowed, most businesses are closed, and dining in restaurants is prohibited.
• Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls:
  Zimbabwe’s borders are closed to all human traffic except for returning nationals and permit holders.

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