Safari during lockdown
Safari during lockdown : On the 18th of June 2021 the president of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni announced a 42 day lockdown for the nation. This total lockdown was imposed to help curb the surging numbers of covid-19 infections that have marred the nation recently; causing a second wave of the covid-19 pandemic in the country.
The lockdown though affects most of the sectors; it does not affect the tourism sector as tours were allowed to still go on, meaning you can still have a safari to explore Uganda in this season.
In this article we outline some of the ways you can have a smooth and gratifying experience during this lockdown season.
- Book your safari in advance
For planning purposes it’s always advised that you book your safari in advance. However in this season, you detailed itinerary and confirmed bookings are part of the relevant documents you need to present at point entry. You will not be admitted into the country if you don’t have proof of safari booking. Also because of the inter-district cross ban you need those documents to cross to the next district.
- Vaccination Cards
As countries continue to fight the covid-19 pandemic, it’s prudent that you travel after getting the covid-19 vaccine; it helps protect you from adverse effects of the disease. For that reason you are expected to have a covid-19 vaccination card when you arrive in Uganda. This card should be carried with you together with other vaccination cards that are required like the yellow fever vaccination card.
- Negative PCR covid-19 Test
The world is still fighting the covid-19 pandemic, so for you to have admission into the country, you will need to have a negative PCR covid-19 test at least done 48 hours before you arrive in Uganda. Even if you are vaccinated you will need a negative PCR covid-19 test to be admitted into the country.
- Test and fly
Especially if you’re coming in from the high risk covid-19 countries (Category 2 countries); you will be required to have PCR covid-19 test done on arrival to the country. To make this process smooth you will have to register for the test online before you reach the Ugandan entry point.
On arrival you will present your online form to the officials and then you will you’re your samples taken. You will then wait for a couple hours for the results; if the results come back negative you will be cleared to go. If they return positive, you will be taken to an isolation centre for a couple of days.
Category 2 countries include Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States of America.
- Use a tour operator
You should use a tour operator for all your safari arrangements especially transportation. During this lockdown the only cars allowed to move are vehicles belonging to tour operators/ Tour companies. These cars have special passes from the ministry of works and transport, to cross districts and carry tourists. This means that these vehicles are the only authorised and safe means of transport available for any tourist.
- Observe the standard operating procedures
It goes without saying that the covid-19 virus is among us. For your own safety and the safety others on the safari, you need to observe all the recommended WHO and Ministry of Health standard operating procedures. These procedures include: – having a mask on when you’re interacting with people and in public, sanitising your hands or washing your hands with soap regularly and keeping a social distance of 2 metres from others.
