How to Get a Visa for Uganda, Rwanda & DRC

Planning to trek with gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo? Before you lace up your boots or pack your camera, let’s make sure your visa is sorted. Thankfully, getting one is now much easier than it used to be.

East Africa Tourist Visa — The One You’ll Want

The East Africa Tourist Visa is a joint visa that lets you travel freely between Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya for up to 90 days. It’s perfect if your itinerary hops across borders.

Cost: $100
Validity: 90 days, multiple entry
Apply through: the embassy of the country you’re entering first

Note: DR Congo is not part of this visa. You’ll need a separate one for that (details below).

🇺🇬 Uganda Visa Info

You can get a Ugandan visa in three easy ways:

On Arrival — at Entebbe International Airport or major border points
Online (e-Visa) — via the official Uganda immigration portal
Through a Ugandan embassy

Cost: $50
Type: Single entry, valid for 90 days
Requirements:
- Valid passport (6+ months left)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Return/onward ticket (sometimes asked, not always)

Citizens of most countries — including the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and many Asian countries — do need a visa. However, travelers from countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi do not.

🇷🇼 Rwanda Visa Info

Rwanda keeps it simple.

Visa on arrival: Available for all nationalities
Cost: $50
Validity: 30 days, single entry
Also available online via irembo.gov.rw

You can also choose the East Africa Tourist Visa here if Rwanda is your first point of entry.

🇨🇩 DR Congo Visa Info (for Gorilla Trekking)

Traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo for gorilla trekking in Virunga or Kahuzi-Biega National Park? You’ll need to plan ahead — no visas on arrival here unless arranged through official channels.

Here’s how to get one:

Apply via a DRC embassy (Kampala, Kigali, Nairobi, or in your home country)
Tourist visa: $150 (single entry, 30 days)
Gorilla trekking visitors: If you’ve booked with an official DRC tour operator or park (like Virunga or Kahuzi-Biega), they can help process your visa in partnership with immigration.

Ugandan travelers entering via Rusizi I or Bunagana can expect to pay between $50–100 depending on visa type. Always confirm in advance.

Pro Tips:

DR Congo tourist visas tied to gorilla permits are usually valid only for the park region (e.g. Bukavu/Kahuzi-Biega).
Extensions may be granted — inquire with Direction Générale de Migration (DGM) in advance.

Quick Recap

Country	Visa on Arrival	Cost	Validity	Apply Online?
Uganda	✅ Yes	$50	90 days	✅ Yes
Rwanda	✅ Yes (all)	$50	30 days	✅ Yes
Kenya	✅ Yes (many)	$50	90 days	✅ Yes
DRC	❌ No (pre-arranged only)	$150	30 days	❌ Not reliably

Visas don’t have to be a hurdle. With the right information, they’re a formality — not a headache. If you’re planning a cross-border safari with us, we’ll walk you through each step, ensure your paperwork is on point, and make sure you spend more time in the wild and less time at the embassy.

Need help planning a gorilla trekking safari across Uganda, Rwanda, or DRC? Reach out now — we’ll tailor the trip and handle the details.