KAZA Univisa Price for British Tourists: Is the Zimbabwe-Zambia Combined Visa Worth It?
The KAZA Univisa price for British tourists is USD 50, and it buys you 30 days of unlimited crossings between Zimbabwe and Zambia, plus same-day trips to Botswana's Chobe National Park through the Kazungula border post. Because British and Irish passport holders are charged more for Zimbabwe's standard visas ($55 single entry), the joint permit is cheaper before you've even crossed a border.
This guide is for UK travellers planning a Victoria Falls itinerary with a Livingstone or Chobe day trip mixed in. We're an independent travel information portal, not a government site, so we don't take payments or lodge applications for you. You can verify every fee and rule on the Zambia Immigration KAZA Univisa page and the UK travel advice for Zimbabwe before you fly.
What Is the KAZA Univisa and How Does It Work?
It's a joint Zimbabwe-Zambia tourist visa, named after the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, valid for 30 days from your first entry stamp with unlimited crossings between the two countries.
Two limits matter. The permit is non-extendable and stays valid only while you remain in Zimbabwe and Zambia (Botswana day trips aside); when the 30 days run out you must leave, and you can then buy a new visa or a new Univisa. You can buy up to three Univisas in any 12-month period.
- Valid for 30 days from your first entry stamp
- Unlimited entries between Zimbabwe and Zambia
- Botswana day trips only, via Kazungula
KAZA Univisa Price for British Tourists vs Standard Visas
For UK and Irish passport holders, the $50 Univisa undercuts Zimbabwe's single- and double-entry visas, because a standard single-entry Zimbabwe visa costs them $55 instead of the $30 most other visitors pay (Canadians pay $75).
| Visa type | Cost for UK passport | Entries | Saving vs Univisa |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAZA Univisa | USD 50 | Unlimited Zim/Zam crossings | Baseline |
| Zimbabwe single entry | USD 55 | One entry | You lose $5 |
| Zimbabwe double entry | USD 70-75 | Two entries | You lose $20-$25 |
| Zambia visit | Free (no visa required) | Up to 90 days per 12 months | No Zim return included |
The break-even maths is simple: even if you never set foot in Zambia, the Univisa saves you $5 over a single entry. For a UK passport the double entry never works out cheaper; it matters only if no Univisa is available.
What about the Zambia waiver? Brits enter Zambia free of charge, per the visa-exempt nationalities list. But you still need a valid Zimbabwe visa to get back to Victoria Falls town, which is where the joint permit earns its keep.
Border Pushback: What to Tell the Immigration Officer
Some officers at Victoria Falls push UK tourists toward the pricier $70 double-entry visa, arguing that Brits no longer need a Zambian visa. UK passports are on the eligible list, so ask for it by name, though issuing is at the officer's discretion and there is no guarantee.
If you're told a UK passport can't buy one, stay polite and use this: "The Double Entry visa is $70 and caps me at two crossings. The KAZA Univisa is $50 and allows unlimited Devil's Pool returns." If the answer is still no, stay polite and ask whether a supervisor can confirm the rule.
Chobe Day Trips, the Bridge Pass and Overnight Rules
Planning a Chobe safari from Victoria Falls? The Univisa covers it, as long as you're back the same day. Here's the route:
At the Kazungula border post.
At Kazungula.
For the day only.
Return the same day.
On your Univisa stamp.
The No-Overnight Rule in Botswana
Stay overnight in Kasane and your Univisa is voided. When you come back, you'll buy a new Zimbabwe visa on re-entry, typically $55 single or $70 double.
Victoria Falls Bridge Pass vs Full Clearance
Only visiting the bridge for the café or the bungee jump? You don't need the Univisa at all; you can cross the bridge on a pass issued at the border post instead. Entering Livingstone for Devil's Pool or a microlight flight is different; that's a full crossing into Zambia, so carry your permit.
Where to Buy the Univisa: Ports and the eVisa Lock-In
You can pay on arrival at designated posts or apply online in advance. The designated Zimbabwe points are Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls airports, the Victoria Falls land border and Kazungula. On the Zambian side, that's Kenneth Kaunda International (Lusaka), Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International (Livingstone), and the two shared land borders.
Applying online? Mind the first-port rule. A KAZA eVisa issued through Zimbabwe's evisa.gov.zw portal requires you to enter Zimbabwe first, and a Zambian eVisa requires first entry via Zambia. A Zambian approval letter won't clear you at Victoria Falls airport, so match the issuing portal to your first port of entry. Kariba and Chirundu are not designated Univisa ports, so you cannot buy one there.
Entry Requirements and Paying at the Border
Your passport needs six months' validity beyond arrival and at least three blank pages, so you can enter Zimbabwe and exit through a neighbouring country if you need to leave at short notice.
On payment: card facilities are not available at every port of entry, so treat cash as the default. US dollar notes must be of the newer 'large head' series and in good condition; old 'small head' notes are not accepted. Carry the $50 in small denominations, plus a buffer of $75 in case you're forced into a double-entry visa.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a double-entry visa by default. It costs $70 and caps you at two crossings; the Univisa is $50 with unlimited Zim/Zam entries.
- Overnighting in Botswana on a Univisa. The permit dies the moment you sleep in Kasane, and re-entry costs a fresh $55 visa.
- Applying through the wrong eVisa portal. A Zambian approval letter won't clear you at Victoria Falls airport. Match the issuing country to your first port of entry.
- Carrying old US dollar notes. Old 'small head' notes and damaged bills are refused at the counter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much is the KAZA Univisa price for British tourists?
The fee is USD 50 and it is the same for every eligible nationality, including British passport holders. You can pay it in cash at a designated port of entry, or apply in advance through an eVisa portal, where a small surcharge is added for online purchase and you receive an approval letter to show on arrival.
Does the KAZA Univisa cover Botswana?
Only for day trips through the Kazungula border post. You must exit Botswana the same day you enter. An overnight stay voids the permit, and you'll need a new Zimbabwe visa to return.
Do British citizens need a visa for Zambia?
No. British passport holders enter Zambia without a visa and may stay up to 90 days in any 12-month period, provided they can show a return or onward ticket and enough money for the stay, per UK travel advice for Zambia. You still need a valid Zimbabwe visa to return to Victoria Falls.
Can I pay for the Univisa with a UK bank card?
It's risky. Card payment is available only at some ports of entry (the Lusaka and Livingstone airport desks), and land borders may take cash only, so bring US dollars in 'large head' notes.
Can the Univisa be extended beyond 30 days?
No. The Univisa cannot be extended, and you can buy up to three of them in a 12-month period. It stays valid only while you remain in Zimbabwe and Zambia, so once the 30 days are up you must leave the two countries; on your next trip you can buy a new Univisa or a standard Zimbabwe visa.
Where can I apply for the KAZA Univisa online?
Apply through Zimbabwe's portal at evisa.gov.zw if Zimbabwe is your first entry, or through Zambia's Department of Immigration at zambiaimmigration.gov.zm if you arrive in Livingstone or Lusaka first. Avoid third-party sites charging extra fees.
Is the Univisa cheaper than a double entry visa for UK nationals?
Yes. The double entry costs $70, sometimes listed at $75, while the Univisa is $50. You save $20-$25 and gain unlimited Zimbabwe-Zambia crossings instead of two.
Which countries are eligible for the KAZA Univisa?
Dozens of nationalities qualify, among them the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, Japan and most EU countries, while Ireland is not listed. The full list, the fee and the designated ports are published by Zambia's Department of Immigration, so check it before you travel.
Sources and Further Reading
- UK travel advice: Zimbabwe entry requirements - visa fees, passport rules and border information for British visitors.
- Zambia Immigration: KAZA Univisa - the fee, validity, quota and designated ports of entry.
- Zimbabwe eVisa FAQs - application steps and answers on the online portal.
- UK travel advice: Zambia entry requirements - visa exemption for British passport holders.
- Zambia Immigration: visa-exempt nationalities - the list confirming free entry for UK citizens.
Rules and fees can change, so confirm them on the relevant portal before you travel.