Covid-19 Updates. A guide to safely visiting East Africa

The covid-19 pandemic has brought a lot of distress to everyone in the world through either sickness, loss of a loved one, or employment among others. In as much as the global community is now more capable of dealing with coronavirus, the pandemic hasn’t ended and there are still many people getting sick.

With the approval of vaccines and the massive vaccination campaigns, more people are now better protected from the coronavirus. This has seen many countries relax the formerly strict rules of entry for people coming from other countries.

As the general situation with Covid-19 keeps changing from one country to another, so do the rules and requirements set by governments to keep everyone safe. At the present (June 2022) all the countries where we serve tours allow entry for vaccinated people or people who recently tested negative for covid.

Whenever we are organizing your trip, we make sure to give you the latest changes regarding covid-19 and any restrictions that might come along. This is done to make sure that you understand our commitment to your health and safety while on safari with us – and after. Our staff and service partners are well informed on the proper protocols and safety measures put in place by the government and World Health Organization.

Health Guidelines for Uganda

 

COVID-19 Restrictions

As a result of learning more about the coronavirus and the vaccination of large parts of the population, economies are fully open and the restrictions on movement and entry into the various countries have been loosened.

The previous strict requirements have mostly been removed but the situation is always changing depending on the prevailing situation. You can always take a look at the official government websites for the latest covid-related news and travel requirements. You should also consult the websites of your own country and comply with their prevailing travel and covid requirements.

Due to the rapidly changing situations and restrictions, we believe that it is best you look at the respective government resources and websites which are updated regularly with all relevant statistics. Here are some important websites to look at for the latest official information on covid and travel to East Africa.

# Country  Government / Ministry of Health covid website
1 Uganda  Government Covid Response Hub
2 Kenya  Kenya Ministry of Health
3 Tanzania  Tanzania Ministry of Health
4 Rwanda  Rwanda Biomedical Centre

 

Proactive & Preventative Measures

Here are some of the measures that we ensure are in place for your health and safety.

1. Hygiene Practices

Hand washing and sanitizing stations will be positioned strategically throughout lodges and camps for guest and staff use.

Masks and appropriate protective gear will be worn by lodge staff per guest request. The heightened sanitizing protocol will be in place within rooms and guest areas for an added layer of protection.

2. Health Checks

Temperature checks and health screenings will be available for international and domestic traveling guests.

In some cases, stations, where guests can periodically monitor their own temperature, will be implemented. Staff will be fully trained and educated on the latest health protocols by leading authorities.

3. Social Distancing

Social Distancing will be encouraged throughout common areas of lodges and hotels while dining, and while participating in safari activities. Lodges provide ample space and seating for all guests to accommodate the required physical distancing protocols in place.

4. Game Drives

Vehicles will be sanitized thoroughly prior to every game drive. The number of passengers will be limited on shared vehicles unless a larger group is traveling together.

Exclusive-use vehicles are also available per request at additional cost. Thankfully, game drives are already considered ‘safe’, as they are held outdoors in the open air.

5. Dining

A variety of dining areas will be available for guests to ensure that correct physical distancing measures are observed. Private in-room dining, bush dining venues, terraces, gardens, and other outdoor areas may be offered to guests for meals.

6. Guest Experience

Providing guests with an enjoyable experience is a top priority and keeping travelers safe and healthy throughout their journey. If all guests adhere to recommended hygiene practices prior to and during their time in Africa, together we can help keep each other healthy during this time.

All of the mentioned terms are effective for select properties and countries, and this will be discussed in detail with clients prior to confirmation of booking. World over, the COVID-19 situation is constantly changing and we will continue to keep this information updated as quickly as possible.

Final thoughts.

The coronavirus has been a devastating health risk to everyone in the world and we have learned to adapt to the changing times. The pandemic is still going on and everyone will have a different set of questions in regard to traveling – especially internationally.

We, therefore, encourage you to feel free to talk to us about any questions you might have about visiting Uganda and staying safe. This covid-19 update is meant to give you information on the current situations and lead you to the most trusted of sources.

Related articles: