South Africa Introduces New Health Screening for Arrivals from Uganda and DRC Amid Ebola Alert
Travel professionals across sub-Saharan Africa need to take careful note of a significant new health screening requirement introduced by South African authorities. The Department of Health confirmed on 17 July 2026 that all passengers arriving in South Africa who have spent time in Uganda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the 21 days preceding their arrival must now complete a Travel Health Questionnaire (THQ). The measure forms part of enhanced border health surveillance as authorities continue to monitor the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
The new requirement applies to every traveller entering South Africa, regardless of nationality, provided they have been in either Uganda or the DRC within the previous 21 days. Passengers are permitted to complete the THQ up to 24 hours before their flight to South Africa, and doing so in advance is expected to significantly ease health screening and immigration processing on arrival. For agents and tour operators, this represents an important pre-departure step to build into client communication routines. Travellers who merely transit through Uganda or the DRC en route to South Africa should also verify with their airline or booking agent whether the requirement applies to their particular itinerary, as circumstances can vary based on airport contact and layover duration.
According to the Department of Health, the current Ebola outbreak has resulted in more than 2,000 confirmed cases and over 800 deaths since May, a sobering picture that has prompted enhanced precautions for arrivals from affected countries. South Africa's approach is being described as a targeted public health measure, which means that travellers arriving directly from other origins remain unaffected unless they have recently spent time in Uganda or the DRC. This carefully calibrated response allows South Africa to maintain open borders and thriving tourism inflows while addressing legitimate public health concerns tied to the outbreak zone.
For travel professionals whose clients have Ugandan or Congolese components in their itineraries, whether for business travel, gorilla trekking, mining industry work, humanitarian missions or family visits, a handful of practical steps should now be built into standard booking procedures. Ensuring that the Travel Health Questionnaire is completed within the 24 hours before departure, preparing clients to answer questions about their recent travel history and health status, allowing additional time at the airport for possible on-arrival health screening, and monitoring official government travel advisories in the days leading up to departure are all essential. Health-related entry requirements can change at short notice, and staying informed protects both traveller wellbeing and agent reputation.
The good news for the broader trade is that visitors travelling to South Africa from Europe, North America, Australasia, most parts of Asia and other regions of Southern Africa currently face no changes to existing entry requirements. Business travellers, holidaymakers on safari, cruise passengers and MICE delegates arriving on standard itineraries can proceed as normal. However, for multi-country African journeys, particularly those combining East African wildlife experiences with South African leisure or business elements, careful itinerary review is essential in the current climate.
The wider implication for the African travel industry is worth reflecting on. As health authorities across the continent become more coordinated in their responses to disease outbreaks, agents and tour operators should expect an increasing frequency of country-specific health protocols, digital declaration forms and pre-arrival screening tools. Investing in staff training around these evolving requirements, integrating them into booking workflows, and communicating them clearly to clients in advance will become a defining feature of professional service in the years ahead. Trade partners who position themselves as trusted advisors on cross-border health formalities will not only reduce the risk of delayed or denied entry for their clients but will also build stronger, longer-lasting customer relationships.
For now, South Africa remains firmly open to international arrivals, and the introduction of the THQ demonstrates a measured, science-based approach that supports both public health and continued tourism growth. As always, clients whose itineraries touch multiple African countries should be reminded to check the latest health and entry requirements before departure, avoiding any unwelcome surprises on the day of travel.
