Zambia and Zimbabwe will once again issue the Kaza UniVisa at their respective borders.

The UniVisa was launched in late 2014 as a pilot scheme, initially for six months and later extended for another six months, which ended in December. However, the Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) has advised tour operators and lodge owners in the country that the project has once again been extended into 2016.

The ZTB has further advised that the current non-availability of the visa is due to the fact that visa stickers are out of stock. New visa stickers have been ordered and should be available shortly at the borders once again.

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According to a joint statement released by Zambia and Zimbabwe, the two countries are currently addressing challenges faced during the pilot phase in preparation for inviting the other Kaza partner countries, such as Angola, Botswana and Namibia, to join the UniVisa project.

The governments of the two countries have appealed to stakeholders to promote and publicise the UniVisa as it will facilitate easy movement across the five partner countries for all travellers, as well as increase length of stay in the region.  

Ross Kennedy, CEO Africa Albida, calls the development a win-win for Southern African tourism. He says: “This is a wonderfully positive initiative by the two governments and the addition of neighbouring countries in our tourism hub will be extremely well received by many source markets. Hats off to all involved in getting this fully launched and working efficiently and smoothly...as soon as possible.”

Jayne Harley, Marketing Manager Sunway Safaris, explains all of Sunway Safaris’ tours visit multiple countries. She says: “A multi-country UniVisa will only make Southern Africa more accessible through a simpler visa process. The countries are then naturally easier to visit as there is less hassle and border crossings could be less arduous.”

Wilderness Safaris Chief Sales Officer, Dave Bennett, explains travellers will increasingly opt for single itineraries that offer a diversity of experiences in the different countries thanks to the univisa. He says: “The UniVisa will do much to promote hassle-free cross-country combinations. It is also an opportunity for joint marketing between these southern African countries, as they each have unique and complementary offerings for travellers.”

Botswana Footprints’ Tara Flory argues however that although quicker processes at border posts are a positive development for the tourism industry, the cost will need to be contained. She explains that Botswana currently issues visas free of charge at the border for passport-holders from most countries. She warns that the cost for the unvisa should therefore not increase to cover Botswana.

Andy Raggett, owner of Drive Botswana, argees and says the benefits to tourism into Botswana would be small, as most countries don’t require a visa into Botswana. Raggett is also concerned that the UniVisa could be a source of frustration when it’s not available as has happened in the past.