The East Africa Tourist Visa costs USD 100 for a single application covering Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for 90 days with multiple entries. This is a flat fee — there are no additional charges at borders within the three countries. Third-party visa agencies charge USD 50–180 extra on top of the government fee.
Official Visa Fee Breakdown
| Fee Component | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (government) | USD 100 | Non-refundable; paid online during application |
| Bank processing charge | USD 2–5 | Varies by payment method and bank |
| Total at minimum | USD 102–105 | If applying directly through the immigration portal |
The USD 100 fee is the same regardless of your nationality, length of stay (up to 90 days), or number of entries within the three countries.
Cost Comparison: East Africa Visa vs. Separate Visas
If you are visiting all three countries, the joint visa offers convenience and modest savings:
| Visa Type | Countries Covered | Total Cost | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Africa Tourist Visa | Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda | USD 100 | 1 |
| Kenya ETA + Uganda eVisa + Rwanda eVisa | Each separately | USD 51 + 50 + 50 = USD 151 | 3 |
| Savings with joint visa | — | USD 51 | 2 fewer applications |
The joint visa saves you approximately USD 51 and eliminates the hassle of three separate applications, three separate payment transactions, and three separate processing waits.
Third-Party Agency Fees
If you use a visa agency to handle your application, expect additional fees:
| Agency Type | Service Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Budget online service | USD 30–50 | 10–15 working days |
| Standard agency | USD 80–120 | 7–10 working days |
| Premium/expedited agency | USD 150–180 | 3–5 working days |
These fees are in addition to the USD 100 government visa fee. A premium agency service can bring your total to USD 250–280. Applying directly through the immigration portal saves the most money.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Cost
The yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for East Africa entry. Costs vary by country:
| Country | Typical Cost | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| United States | USD 150–250 | Travel health clinics, CVS MinuteClinic |
| United Kingdom | GBP 60–80 | NHS travel clinics, private providers |
| EU countries | EUR 50–100 | Tropical medicine centers |
| India | INR 500–1,500 | Authorized vaccination centers |
| Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda | USD 30–40 | Airport clinics (last resort) |
Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel. The certificate is valid for life. If you have been vaccinated before, bring your original certificate — you do not need a booster.
Other Travel Costs to Budget For
Gorilla Trekking Permits
If gorilla trekking is on your itinerary, these are the biggest additional costs:
| Country | Permit Cost (per person) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda (Bwindi) | USD 700 | 1 hour with gorillas |
| Rwanda (Volcanoes NP) | USD 1,500 | 1 hour with gorillas |
Rwanda’s permits are more expensive but the experience is equally rewarding. Uganda offers a more budget-friendly option. Book permits 3–6 months in advance during peak season.
Daily Budget Estimates
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | USD 15–30 | USD 50–120 | USD 200–500+ |
| Meals | USD 10–15 | USD 20–40 | USD 50–100+ |
| Transport | USD 10–20 | USD 30–60 | USD 100–200+ |
| Activities | USD 20–50 | USD 50–150 | USD 200–500+ |
| Daily total | USD 55–115 | USD 150–370 | USD 550–1,300+ |
Flights
- International to Nairobi: USD 400–1,200 (from US/EU), USD 200–500 (from Middle East/Asia)
- Regional flights (Nairobi–Entebbe–Kigali): USD 100–250 per leg
- Overland buses: USD 15–40 per route
Total Trip Cost Estimates
Here are rough total costs for a 2-week East Africa trip (excluding international flights):
| Budget Level | 2-Week Total | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | USD 800–1,200 | Hostels, buses, street food, basic safaris |
| Mid-range | USD 2,000–3,500 | Mid-range lodges, domestic flights, guided tours |
| Luxury | USD 5,000–10,000+ | Luxury lodges, private guides, charter flights |
The USD 100 visa fee is a small fraction of your total trip cost. The biggest expenses are typically gorilla permits, safari lodges, and internal flights.
How to Save Money on Your East Africa Trip
- Apply directly: Skip visa agencies and apply through the immigration portal yourself
- Choose Uganda for gorillas: Uganda gorilla permits (USD 700) are less than half the price of Rwanda’s (USD 1,500)
- Travel overland: Buses between countries cost USD 15–40 vs. USD 100–250 for flights
- Visit in shoulder season: April–May and November offer lower prices with decent weather
- Book permits early: Gorilla and trekking permits sell out months ahead; early booking guarantees availability
- Eat local: Local restaurants serve meals for USD 3–5 vs. USD 15–30 at tourist spots
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the East Africa visa fee refundable?
No. The USD 100 visa fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected or you cancel your trip. This is stated clearly on all three immigration portals.
Can I pay the visa fee in local currency?
No. The visa fee is paid in USD via credit or debit card during the online application. Your bank may charge a small currency conversion fee.
Are there any hidden fees?
No hidden government fees. The USD 100 covers everything. However, your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee (typically 1–3%), and the portal may add a small processing surcharge (USD 2–5).
Do children pay the same visa fee?
Yes. The USD 100 fee applies to all travelers, regardless of age. Infants and children need their own passport and visa application.
Is it cheaper to get separate visas?
No. Three separate visas would cost approximately USD 151 (USD 51 for Kenya ETA + USD 50 for Uganda eVisa + USD 50 for Rwanda eVisa). The joint visa at USD 100 saves you about USD 51.
Ready to apply? Read our step-by-step application guide or check the full requirements list.
Payment Methods and Currency
The visa fee is processed in US dollars (USD) through the immigration portal’s payment gateway. Here are the accepted payment methods:
- Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard (most commonly accepted)
- Debit cards: Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit with international transaction capability
- Prepaid travel cards: Accepted if they support international USD transactions
Important payment notes:
- Ensure your card is enabled for international transactions before applying
- Some banks block unfamiliar foreign transactions — notify your bank before paying
- The payment gateway may add a small surcharge (USD 2–5) for processing
- Your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee (typically 1–3% of the amount)
- If payment fails, wait 15 minutes before retrying to avoid duplicate charges
Visa Fee Comparison with Other African Destinations
To put the USD 100 fee in context, here is how it compares to visas for other popular African destinations:
| Destination | Visa Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| East Africa (3 countries) | USD 100 | 90 days, multiple entry |
| Tanzania (单独) | USD 50 | 90 days, single entry |
| South Africa | Free (many nationalities) | 90 days |
| Ethiopia | USD 82 | 30–90 days |
| Kenya (单独 ETA) | USD 51 | 90 days |
| Botswana | Free (many nationalities) | 90 days |
At USD 100 for three countries with multiple entries, the East Africa Tourist Visa offers strong value for travelers planning to visit the region.
