Is it safe to Travel to Uganda Safari 2020-22?
Is it safe to Travel to Uganda Safari 2020-22?: The answer is yes! Though the entire world is still under going through the pandemic of COVID -19 and travel hasn’t stopped. What travelers should do is to follow Uganda’s government restrictions given in order to be safe on their safari in Uganda.
For one to be able to understand more on how this may be solved, is to check out this statistic https://covids19.gou.go.ug/statistic.html and get to know information about the travel warning given and alerts to the economy your visiting, read about the Uganda lockdowns, borders and Airport restrictions.
Travel Restrictions and Advisory in Uganda
Uganda Airport has been closed for six months since March 2020 to October 1, 2020.Since October 1,Uganda’s international travel restrictions were lifted ,inbound and outbound traffic at Uganda Entebbe International Airport and all boarders across the country will get back to normal with restrictions to watch for coronavirus infections .The rest of the East African countries ‘’Kenya ,Tanzania and Rwanda international travel were open since August 1,2020 .Moreover, the national carrier ‘’ Uganda Airlines’’ with different carriers such as Ethiopians Airlines ,Rwanda Air ,Fly Dubai ,Brussels Airlines ,Emirates ,Qatar Airways ,Turkish Airlines ,KLM among others can now fly to different races of the world.
A number of people have begun to book and take leisure trips across the world. Domestically, the travel which were ban was again lifted in August with tight restrictions and the locals are back to visit their country’s beauty. Domestic tourism has sustainably lifted good numbers visiting the wildlife reserves including the primate national parks ‘’Gorilla trekking’’.
Amazingly! Uganda has been recognized as one of the top countries around the world to have suppressed the Coronavirus pandemic favorably. Uganda as the economy has a Covid death rate of below 1% compared to other countries wide world, that’s looks to be awesome courage according to international observers. Great thanks goes to MoH which has really done a great job of keeping Coronavirus patient alive with allow rate of about 98%.
Local Restriction which were given to the country include the following;
Churches and religious gatherings were restricted to only 70 people per gathering.
Night clubs, wedding ceremonies with large congregation of people have been banned.
Public transportation has been eased up with compulsory wearing of mask.
Public transport operators are expected to provide sanitization, with a limited seating of half regular capacity and passengers are required to wear masks.
Private transportation eased up with strict guidelines, curfew imposed nationally from 21:00 -06:00.
There must be social physical distancing as a must for everyone.
Travel Entry Requirements- Uganda Covid -19
At the Airport, they have put tight health screening procedures in place and other ports of entry such as wearing of the facemask, sanitization, temperature screening as well physical distancing. If anyone found with Coronavirus symptoms, you will be isolated and taken to a designated hospital for further treatment. For any emergency, you can call to the MoH Emergency Operations Center a body that is managing the COVID-19 response and can be reached through contacting on their hotlines;’’256’’0800-203-033,0800-100-066.
Upon your arrival, travelers and business visitors will need to provide negative ‘’PCR’’ result for at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure time from the country commencement. Outbound travelers are also requested to take a certified PCR COVID -19 result not more than 72 hours before their departure. The question is, if you don’t hold one, take one at a recommended hospital in Entebbe or Uganda’s capital ‘’Kampala’’ before your flight at your cost ‘’USD26’’.
Below are the lists of several hospitals that offers the PCR COVID -19 result in Uganda and these include; Makerere University Hospital, Mulango National Referral Hospital, Nakasero Hospital ‘’0312 531 400’’, Lancet Laboratories, MBN Laboratories ‘’0700-533-954’’, Ruby Medical Centre ‘’0800 833 111’’, Case Clinic ‘’0312 250 700’’, Mengo Hospital ‘’0414 270 222’’ among others.
The moment you arrive at the Airport and you are tested negative, your drive or tour operator will drive you straight from Entebbe Airport to your place of stay, so that you do not mix with Ugandans. There will be no requirement of self –Isolate. Physical distancing, facemasks and sanitization are compulsory for keeping you safe and healthy while travelling in Uganda.14 days are provided for no self-isolation.
Returning Ugandans who arrive with a negative COVID -19 result will be allowed to go to their homes. But the workers of Uganda’s Health Ministry will get their addresses for more follow ups.
National wide curfew is in effect but travelers to the airport will not be affected if they hold right documents for proof of travel. Security operatives have been provided to let travelers through within curfew hours.
Anytime these travel restrictions are bound to be revised, just keep your ear alert if travelling.
Wildlife National Parks and Reserves Restrictions
All Uganda’s wildlife and reserves have been opened for tourism including the primates’ national parks; Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park and Kibale national park but with strict UWA ‘’SOPs’’ in order to protect the wild primates ‘’mountain gorillas and chimpanzees ‘’ from catching the Coronavirus.
The fact is that, primates like mountains, chimpanzees are said to be 98% of human genes, so are easily attacked by human diseases, it’s paramount that when you chose to visit these incredible mountain giants, you should jealously protect them by clinging to the ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority SOPs so that we can protect our impressive apes from this pandemic.
Note, all tourism activities within the protected areas must be undertaken in favorer of ensuring all the guidelines by the Ministry of Health and the directives by the President of the Country Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is adhered to a statement by UWA said.
Below are the Major UWA point list;
Wearing of masks is mandatory for all travelers in the parks.
There is mandatory temperature screen using non-contact infra-red thermometers at the main gate of tourism destination of the different protected areas.
There will be mandatory hand washing or sanitizing at the entrances of all UWA premises and protected areas.
Government guideline of carrying half capacity in order to observe social distance.
Staff members have been provided with appropriate wear to protect them and the visitors inclusive from any possible infection.
Staff on duty shall sensitize the visitors on the general government approved COVID -19 as operational guidelines including the one approved by UWA management.
The safety of our staff and visitors is very important to us and we shall continue to exercise a high degree of caution in order to ensure the safety of people.
The new guideline has been brought out by UWA, large groups of people exceeding 25 people have been banned from entering the national parks at the same time for the same activities while events such as destination wedding are currently not permitted in the country’s parks.
The time is now, to get started preparing for your African safari holidays. What you need to do is to work with a local safari expert to build up your customized bucket list.
Uganda is a safe economy, an impressive place to visit with most of the National parks and attractions which are isolated far away from Coronavirus incubation centers. All hotels and safari lodge are well prepared to welcome visitors after several months of about 6 months of shutting down business. Now everyone is watching out for the traveler’s safety to restart again. So begin planning your safari journey to Uganda and travel with confidence without fear.
Lastly, all the above-mentioned guideline brings out a true information about safe and healthy to travel to Uganda. Uganda is a famous tourist destination with millions of travelers visiting every year safely. (Is it safe to Travel to Uganda Safari 2020-22? YES)
