The KAZA univisa for Zambia and Zimbabwe was relaunched at an event at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge on December 21, 2016. The visa aims to promote tourism and facilitate free, easy movement of tourists across the countries’ borders.
The univisa was first launched in a pilot programme between November 2014 and December 2015 with more than 47 000 visitors benefiting from the arrangement during the period.
The univisa costs $50 and is valid for up to 30 days as long as visitors remain within Zambia and Zimbabwe. It also covers those who visit Botswana for day trips through the Kazungula borders.
The univisa is available on arrival at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport, Victoria Falls Land Border in Livingstone, Kazungula Land Border, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Victoria Falls International Airport, and Harare International Airport. Electronic applications may be accepted at a later date.
Citizens of 40 countries (those who are eligible to receive visas on arrival in both Zambia and Zimbabwe) are eligible.
“The original trial year was a major success and was embraced and supported by travel agents and tour operators across the world,” said Ross Kennedy, Chief Executive of Africa Albida Tourism.
Kennedy said the new visa regime was an early step in exploring and developing the Kavango-Zambezi (Kaza) Transfrontier Conservation Area as a tourism zone, with Victoria Falls as its hub.
It is anticipated that the KAZA univisa will be extended to Angola, Botswana and Namibia in future, however Botswana’s Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Tshekedi Khama has previously said that Botswana was not keen to participate in the programme.