Visas are a big part of going to new countries, especially when the new country is not a nearby neighbour. It is always good when you find that your country's nationals are exempt from any visa requirements.
In this article, we are looking at all the countries on the African continent where Canadians can travel without the need for a Visa.
In all these countries, all you need to do as a Canadian national is to present valid identification that confirms that you are a citizen of Canada.
Visa-Free African Countries For Canadians
Here is a table showing the African countries that don't require a visa from citizens of Canada - and for how long you can be able to stay.
| # | COUNTRY | DURATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Botswana | 90 days |
| 2 | Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) | 30 days |
| 3 | The Gambia | 90 days |
| 4 | Lesotho | 14 days |
| 5 | Mauritius | 90 days |
| 6 | Morocco | 90 days |
| 7 | Namibia | 90 days |
| 8 | Sao Tome and Principe | 15 days |
| 9 | Senegal | 90 days |
| 10 | Seychelles | 90 days |
| 11 | South Africa | 90 days |
| 12 | Tunisia | 120 days |
While the above countries do not require a visa, you should know that the privilege isn't transferable. Unless another country you are visiting as part of your trip also has visa-free entry for Canadian citizens, you will need to pay for a visa and meet all the requirements involved.
Please make sure that you understand the duration of your 'visa-free' entry and plan your visit accordingly. In cases where you need a longer stay, you might have to pay for an extension. It is different in each country.
- Lesotho allows free entry for up to 14 days, which is the shortest time on this list.
- Tunisia allows the longest visa-free entry of all African countries, with 120 days (4 months).
Closing Thoughts
Finally, these exemptions are agreed upon by countries and could change at any time due to any number of reasons. Always endeavour to get the latest information from the related government sites. It is always a good idea to check government travel advice before travelling abroad. Simply visit https://travel.gc.ca/ to see if there are any new things to consider.
