The KAZA UNIVISA for Zambia Zimbabwe, named after the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, costs $50 and gives you 30 days of unlimited crossings between the two countries, including Victoria Falls and same-day Chobe day trips. It’s open to 65 nationalities, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia and most, but not all, EU states. Here’s how it works and how it stacks up against the standard Zambia eVisa and separate Zimbabwe visas.
This is an independent travel guide, not a government page. We don’t take payments or apply on your behalf; before you travel, check the details on the official portals we link to, such as zambiaimmigration.gov.zm. What you’ll get here is the full picture: fees, ports, the Chobe overnight trap, and a cost comparison you can act on.
What Is the KAZA UNIVISA for Zambia and Zimbabwe?
One visa, two countries. The KAZA UNIVISA is a joint tourist visa tied to the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), and it lets you cross between Zambia and Zimbabwe as many times as you like while it’s valid. It exists because most Victoria Falls itineraries hop between the two sides, and buying separate visas for that gets expensive fast.
The key numbers:
- Fee: $50 per person, paid in cash or by card where a POS terminal works
- Validity: 30 days within any 12-month period, and you can’t extend it
- Crossings: unlimited between Zambia and Zimbabwe, plus same-day trips into Botswana for Chobe
- Where to get it: on arrival at designated ports, or online before you fly
Eligible Nationalities and Passport Requirements
Sixty-five countries are eligible, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, most EU states (Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria are not on the list), Australia and New Zealand. The full list is published on the official KAZA UNIVISA page; if your nationality isn’t on it, you’ll need separate visas instead.
For Zimbabwe your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival and have 3 blank pages. Online applications ask for proof of onward or return travel, such as a confirmed ticket.
KAZA UNIVISA Fees, Validity and Payment Rules
It’s a flat $50, with no flexibility around it. Here’s the whole fee picture in one table, including the rules most guides skip:
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Fee | $50 per person |
| Validity | 30 days within any 12-month period |
| Extension | The KAZA UNIVISA is not extendable; you can buy a new one instead |
| Annual limit | Up to 3 KAZA UNIVISAs per person per year |
| Refunds | None, whether the visa goes unused or the application is refused |
Practical Currency Rules and Payment Realities at Border Posts
Card facilities are not available at every port of entry, so plan on paying the US$50 in cash. Bring US dollars in small notes as your primary plan, not your backup.
Your border financial checklist:
- US dollars in small notes totalling $50 per traveller
- Backup cash in case a terminal or your card fails
- No assumption that a card reader will be working at the desk
Designated Ports of Entry and Movement Rules
You can only enter on a KAZA UNIVISA through specific ports, so match your flights and route to this list before booking anything:
| Zambia ports | Zimbabwe ports |
|---|---|
| Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, Livingstone (LVI) | Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) |
| Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Lusaka (LUN) | Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Harare (HRE) |
| Victoria Falls Border (land) | Victoria Falls Border (land) |
| Kazungula Border (land) | Kazungula Border (land) |
One discrepancy: gov.uk lists Bulawayo airport as a KAZA point, but the Zambian and Zimbabwean port lists name only Harare and Victoria Falls, so don’t count on it in Bulawayo.
Crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge: Step-by-Step Logistics
Yes, you can walk from Zimbabwe to Zambia at Victoria Falls, and the bridge crossing is the classic KAZA use case. The border posts open 06:00-18:00 in summer and 06:30-18:00 in winter.
- Get your Zimbabwe exit stamp before leaving the border post
- Walk across the Victoria Falls Bridge, about 15 minutes on the pedestrian path
- Present your passport with the KAZA visa (or the printed approval letter) at the Zambian post
- Get your Zambia entry stamp and carry on to Livingstone
No extra fee applies at either end – the multiple-entry facility is the whole point of the visa.
Botswana Day-Trip Protocol: Visiting Chobe via Kazungula
Chobe National Park day trips run through the Kazungula Border Post, and the KAZA UNIVISA covers them – but only if you return the same day. One rule matters more than any other here:
| Your Chobe plan | What happens to your visa |
|---|---|
| Same-day safari, back before the border closes | Visa stays valid; re-enter Zambia or Zimbabwe as normal |
| One or more nights in Botswana (Kasane or a Chobe camp) | Visa is void immediately; you buy new visas on return |
If you’re planning a night in Chobe, skip the KAZA and buy separate visas from the start.
How to Apply for the KAZA UNIVISA
You have two routes: buy it at the border counter when you arrive, or apply online before you fly. Both are based on the same $50 fee, though online purchase adds a small surcharge, and the online route carries a rule that trips up a lot of travellers, so read the next section before you choose.
Border Counter Purchase: Airports and Land Crossings
Victoria Falls and Livingstone airports have a dedicated UNIVISA counter; elsewhere ask for the KAZA UNIVISA at the visa desk. Here’s your counter checklist:
- Complete the entry declaration, which you can pre-fill online for Zimbabwe
- Pay the $50 fee, with cash as your safest option
- Check that the visa issued is the KAZA UNIVISA, not a single-country visa
- Confirm the stamp and dates before walking away from the desk
Applying Online: First Port of Entry Mandate
If you apply online, where you apply fixes where you enter. Apply through the Zambia portal (zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/kaza-univisa) and your first entry must be in Zambia; apply through evisa.gov.zw and you must enter Zimbabwe first. There’s no flexibility on this.
Processing takes about seven working days for a Zimbabwe eVisa, and you should apply at least three weeks before travel. Note that an online KAZA UNIVISA runs for one month from the date of issue, not from your arrival date.
Two more rules apply to Zimbabwe online applications: you can’t amend an application after submitting it – errors or date changes mean a fresh application – and the fee is non-refundable in every scenario.
One warning worth its own paragraph: commercial intermediaries add a service fee on top of the $50 government fee; a site impersonating an immigration department is a scam, not a service. Apply on the government portals and you pay the real price.
KAZA UNIVISA vs Entering Zambia and Zimbabwe Separately
Here’s the comparison you came for. Zambia has waived visa requirements for nationals of 53 countries, including the UK, US, Canada and EU states, so entry to Zambia alone is free – which changes the maths completely.
| Criteria | KAZA UNIVISA | Standard Zambia entry | Zimbabwe visas (UK citizens) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $50 | Free | $55 single, $70 double entry |
| Coverage | Zambia plus Zimbabwe, unlimited crossings | Zambia only | Zimbabwe only |
| Validity | 30 days | Stay granted at entry | Single entry 1 month, double entry 3 months, multiple entry 6 months |
| Botswana day trips | Included via Kazungula | Not covered | Not covered |
| Extension | Not extendable; buy a new one instead | No visa to extend | Extension possible in person at the Zimbabwe Immigration Department |
Travellers report Zimbabwe visa fees for UK citizens of $55 single and $70 double entry; gov.uk points to the Zimbabwean Embassy for current fees, so check there before you travel.
So when does each option win? A scenario table makes it obvious:
| Your itinerary | Best option |
|---|---|
| Victoria Falls on both sides, crossing the bridge | KAZA UNIVISA ($50) |
| Same-day Chobe trip plus both falls sides | KAZA UNIVISA ($50) |
| Zambia side only | Free entry for the 53 waived nationalities; others still need a Zambian visa |
| Overnight Chobe safari plus both falls sides | Separate visas; the overnight voids the KAZA |
The Zambian Visa Waiver Paradox for UK Travellers
Here’s the twist that confuses British travellers: Zambia is free, so you might assume you only need a Zimbabwe visa. Travellers have reported Zimbabwe immigration refusing the KAZA to UK passport holders and requiring the $70 double-entry visa instead; it is not a published rule, and others were issued the KAZA after asking again.
Run the numbers for a British couple doing both sides of the falls: two double-entry Zimbabwe visas cost $140, while two KAZA UNIVISAs cost $100. The joint visa saves $20 per person and spares you re-stamping hassle at the bridge. For most dual-country trips without an overnight in Botswana, the KAZA UNIVISA is the cheaper and simpler option.
Rules for Children and Special Cases
If you’re travelling with children, note that rules and fees for minors are not published on the government pages; check with the Zambian or Zimbabwean immigration department before you travel.
Travelling with Minors: Documents and Fees
For children, bring this document to the border:
- The child’s passport, valid 6+ months with blank pages
Common Mistakes with the KAZA UNIVISA
These are the errors that cost real money or real delays, each with its fix:
- Booking a night in Kasane or Chobe. One overnight in Botswana voids the visa, so plan separate visas if your safari includes a night.
- Applying via the Zambia portal but flying into Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The first port of entry must match the issuing country, so plan your flights around the portal you use.
- Paying an intermediary’s service fee. The visa costs $50 through the government portals – go there directly.
- Assuming card payment works at the border. Card facilities are not available at every port, so carry US dollars in cash.
- Routing through Bulawayo. Only gov.uk lists it as a KAZA airport, so use Harare or Victoria Falls to be safe.
- Expecting an extension or refund. Both are prohibited, so get your dates right the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does the KAZA UNIVISA Zambia Zimbabwe cost and can I pay by card?
The KAZA UNIVISA costs $50 per person. You can pay by card only where a point-of-sale terminal is available, and card facilities are not offered at every port of entry, so carry the $50 in US dollars in small notes.
How long is the KAZA UNIVISA valid and can it be extended?
The KAZA UNIVISA is valid for 30 days within any 12-month period and it is not extendable. If you need more time, you can buy a new UNIVISA, up to three per year, so plan your itinerary inside the 30-day window.
Can British citizens get the KAZA UNIVISA on arrival?
Yes, the United Kingdom is on the list of 65 eligible nationalities, so you can buy the KAZA UNIVISA on arrival at a designated port. Be aware that travellers have reported Zimbabwe immigration pushing UK passport holders towards the double-entry Zimbabwe visa instead, so state clearly that you plan to visit Zambia too.
Can I sleep overnight in Chobe on a KAZA UNIVISA?
No. The KAZA UNIVISA covers day trips into Botswana through the Kazungula border only. If you spend a night in Botswana the visa is no longer valid, and you will have to buy another visa to re-enter Zambia or Zimbabwe.
How many times can I cross between Zambia and Zimbabwe on the KAZA UNIVISA?
There is no limit: within the 30-day validity you can cross between Zambia and Zimbabwe as often as you like, using the Victoria Falls Bridge or the Kazungula border, and no further fee is charged at either post.
Do children need their own KAZA UNIVISA?
Each traveller needs their own KAZA UNIVISA, but the government pages do not publish separate rules or reduced fees for children, so confirm what applies to minors with the Zambian or Zimbabwean immigration department before you travel.
Where can I apply for the KAZA UNIVISA online?
You can apply online through zambiaimmigration.gov.zm or evisa.gov.zw. The Zimbabwe platform advises applying at least three weeks before travel, and whichever portal you use, your first entry must be in that country.
Is the KAZA UNIVISA cheaper than separate Zambia and Zimbabwe visas?
For trips covering both countries it usually is. Zambia has waived visa fees for 53 nationalities, including the UK, while travellers report paying $70 for a double-entry Zimbabwe visa, against $50 for the KAZA UNIVISA. Check current Zimbabwe fees with the Zimbabwean Embassy before you budget.
Sources and Further Reading
- Zambia Immigration – KAZA UNIVISA: fees, validity, eligible nationalities and designated ports
- Zimbabwe eVisa Platform: online KAZA applications and processing times
- Zimbabwe eVisa FAQs: amendment, refund and lead-time rules
- gov.uk – Zimbabwe entry requirements: visa fees for UK citizens and passport rules
Rules can change, so confirm the details on the government portals before you travel.
