A three-country East Africa trip can be simple if the visa is handled correctly. The East Africa Tourist Visa, often called the EATV, lets eligible tourists visit Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya on one shared visa instead of arranging separate entry permissions for each country.
It is especially useful for routes such as Entebbe to Bwindi, Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, and Nairobi to the Masai Mara. The key is applying through the right country, understanding the 90-day rule, and knowing what happens if you leave the three-country bloc.
This guide explains the East Africa Tourist Visa application process in practical terms, based on current guidance commonly published by the official immigration authorities of Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Visa systems can change, especially Kenya’s separate entry process, so always verify requirements on official government portals before you travel.
What the East Africa Tourist Visa covers
The East Africa Tourist Visa is a joint tourist visa for travel between Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. It allows eligible visitors to enter the three participating countries for tourism during one trip.
The standard facts travelers should know are:
| Feature | Current EATV rule |
| Participating countries | Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya |
| Fee | US$100 |
| Validity | 90 days |
| Entries | Multiple entry within Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya |
| Purpose | Tourism only |
| Work allowed | No |
| First-entry rule | Apply through the country you will enter first when applying before travel |
| Leaving the bloc | The visa generally stops serving its purpose once you exit the Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya area |
This is different from an individual Uganda visa, Rwanda visa, or Kenya travel authorization. If you only visit one country, a single-country option may be enough. If you visit two or three, the EATV can be easier and sometimes cheaper.
Who the EATV is for
The visa is for tourists whose nationality requires entry permission and who plan to visit at least two of the three participating countries. It works best for travelers who already have a clear regional route.
Good examples include:
- Flying into Entebbe, tracking gorillas in Uganda, crossing into Rwanda, then flying home from Kigali
- Arriving in Nairobi, visiting Kenya’s parks, flying to Kigali, then continuing to Uganda
- Starting in Kigali, visiting Volcanoes National Park, crossing to Uganda, then ending with safari in Kenya
A traveler searching for East Africa Tourist Visa Uganda Rwanda Kenya rules is usually planning exactly this kind of itinerary: one regional journey, several borders, and no need to restart visa paperwork in each country.
The visa is not meant for employment, long-term residence, study, journalism, or business activities that need separate authorization. If your trip is not tourism, check with the official immigration authority of the country concerned before applying.
Why the US$100 fee can be good value
The East African Tourist Visa cost is US$100. That fee is fixed as the standard EATV charge published by the participating countries.
Whether it saves money depends on your route and nationality. Do not assume it is always cheaper. Compare the EATV against the current individual entry fees or travel authorization costs for each country on official portals.
Here are realistic cases where the EATV often makes sense.
Example one, Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trip
A traveler flies into Entebbe, spends two nights in Kampala, visits Kibale and Bwindi, then crosses to Rwanda for Volcanoes National Park and Kigali.
In this case, the EATV gives one visa for both Uganda and Rwanda. It also avoids arranging separate tourist permissions if both countries would otherwise require them.
Example two, Kenya safari plus Uganda primates
A traveler arrives in Nairobi, visits Amboseli and the Masai Mara, then flies to Entebbe for chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking.
The EATV can make the border paperwork simpler because the traveler uses one 90-day East Africa visa for Kenya and Uganda. It is also useful if the traveler later adds Rwanda within the same 90-day period.
Example three, three-country classic route
A traveler lands in Kigali, visits Rwanda, crosses into Uganda, then flies to Kenya for a final safari before departing from Nairobi.
This is the kind of itinerary where the EATV is most convenient. One visa covers all three participating countries, as long as travel stays within Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya and the trip remains inside the visa validity.
