South Africans in East Africa: Where to find your nearest embassy

If you’re a South African expat living in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda or Congo, you know how exciting life in East Africa can be.

The markets, the languages, the rhythm – it’s beautiful chaos. But amid that adventure, you also need one vital thing: to know exactly where your embassy is.

Whether you’ve lost a passport, need paperwork stamped, or just want to feel the comfort of home in a foreign land, your nearest South African embassy is your safe ground.

Here’s where to find them, how to reach them, and why keeping these details close matters more than you think.

1. Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)

If you’re in Tanzania, you’ll find the South African High Commission in the heart of Dar es Salaam, right off Garden Avenue.

• Address: Plot 218/50, Corner Garden Avenue & Shabani Robert Street, Ilala, Dar es Salaam
• Phone: +255 22 221 8500
• Email: sahc.tanzania@dirco.gov.za
• Hours: Mon–Thu 07:30–16:30, Fri 07:30–13:30
• Consular hours: 08:00–11:30 (Mon–Thu), 08:00–10:30 (Fri)

They handle everything from lost passports to birth registrations. If you ever need to vote abroad or renew a document, this is your stop.

2. Kenya (Nairobi)

In Kenya, the South African High Commission sits along Lenana Road in Nairobi.

• Address: Roshanmaer Place, 3rd Floor, Lenana Road, Nairobi
• Phone: +254 709 127 000
• Email: info@sahcnairobi.com / sahcadmin@africaonline.co.ke
• Hours: Mon–Fri 07:15–16:00
• Consular services: Mon, Wed, Thu 09:00–11:30 by appointment

They’re known for quick responses and efficient service. Whether it’s notarising documents, renewing passports or emergency travel certificates, they’ve got you.

3. Uganda (Kampala)

For South Africans in Uganda, the embassy in Kampala is your go-to.

• Address: 15A Nakasero Road, Kampala
• Phone: +256 417 770 2100
• Email: kampala.sahc@dirco.gov.za / kampala_immigration@dirco.gov.za
• Hours: Mon–Thu 07:45–12:45, Fri 07:30–14:30

They assist with visas, citizenship queries, legalisation of documents and even help with emergency evacuations when needed.

4. Rwanda (Kigali)

In Rwanda, the South African Embassy is based in Kacyiru, close to Kigali’s embassy district.

• Address: 1370 Boulevard de l’Umuganda, Kacyiru-Sud, Kigali
• Phone: +250 25 255 1300
• Email: Kigali.Admin@dirco.gov.za
• Hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

If you ever lose your passport while exploring Rwanda’s beautiful hills, they’ll walk you through getting a temporary travel document to get home safely.

5. Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)

South Africans in the DRC can find their embassy in Kinshasa’s diplomatic quarter.

• Address: 56 Avenue des Aviateurs, Gombe, Kinshasa
• Phone: +243 81 555 5444
• Email: kinshasa.admin@dirco.gov.za
• Hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

They handle business visas, trade relations, and emergency assistance. South Africans working in mining or aid work often depend on this mission for support.

What can your embassy do for you?

Embassies aren’t just for crises. They’re your connection to home, to your government, your voting rights, your paperwork, and your safety. Here’s what they can do for you:

• Replace lost or stolen passports
• Help in emergencies, including hospitalisation or arrest
• Register births or marriages abroad
• Offer notarial and legalisation services
• Keep you informed about security alerts in your country

Having your embassy’s number saved can turn panic into peace in minutes.

So if you’re living or travelling anywhere in East Africa, keep these contacts close. Your embassy isn’t just a government office, it’s your piece of South Africa, right where you are.