East Africa gap year volunteers 'could benefit from single visa plans'

Britons thinking of heading to east Africa and combining voluntary work with travel could soon be able to benefit from the introduction of a single tourist visa for the region.

Under new plans being looked at by the East African Community (EAC) leaders, trials for a single tourist visa to cover all of the region could begin as soon as June.

As well as the UK, travellers from the United States and a number of European countries will be covered by the scheme, Tanzania's The Citizen reported.

In addition, it is hoped that citizens of Middle Eastern countries will become part of the scheme given the increase in the number of visitors to east Africa from this region over the past few years.

Should a trial be launched, it is expected that new technology will be installed at border crossings within the region, allowing travellers covered by the scheme to avoid lengthy queues and additional expenses when passing from one country into another.

Among the natural highlights of a gap year to east Africa are the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, both in Tanzania.

For more information on gap year planning.

( Last Updated: 2010-02-16 17:32:09)