Is It Safe To Travel To Uganda? Uganda Travel Advice

IS UGANDA SAFE? TRAVEL ADVICE & SAFETY FOR VISITORS TO UGANDA

Is Uganda Safe? Yes, Uganda has always been safe to visit and it is still a safe travel destination in Africa for all visitors, despite Covid-19. Uganda is a Safe destination for all travelers like any other country, there’s less crimes which can be avoided when you take care of yourself and also you properties.

Due to the current Covid-19 global pandemic caused by Coronavirus, one may wonder if it is still Safe to travel for Vacation holidays to Uganda. The answer is absolutely yes it is Safe though you must get involved in making your travel safe and enjoyable. Following the different precautions and Safety guidelines put in place by the Ministry of health and Uganda Wildlife Authority, you can confidently Visit Uganda for the amazing holiday travel experiences with Wildlife viewing and enjoying nature.

All East African countries except Uganda, opened their boarders for International travels on August 1^st 2020.

Are Uganda borders open?

All Uganda borders are open. Uganda re-opened its borders and flights on October, 1^st 2020, lifting all the travel restrictions for inbound and outbound traffic at Entebbe International airport and other borders across the country.

Domestically the Covid-19 travel ban was lifted in August for all travelers within Uganda. Generally, if you were wondering whether it is safe to travel to Uganda for your safari holidays, you are answered. Uganda is still a safe country for all your vacation tours and other travel programs despite the Covid-19 that has changed lifestyle of people.

Uganda has performed so well in dealing with Covid-19 pandemic with less than 2% Covid death and over 97% recoveries. The ministry of health has put in place Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and restrictions with the help of the president of Uganda His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to help curb the spread of Coronavirus and this has registered great success.

For everyone who is planning to visit Uganda for safari holidays and tours, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) re-opened all its national parks and reserves to be visited again. This has seen the domestic tourism growing with the local people enjoying their countries beauty and visiting the wildlife safari parks again. All activities including Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mgahinga, Chimpanzee tracking and Savanna park game drives can now be done following UWA precautions together with the ministry of health safety guidelines. SOP’s are in place according to the presidential directives.

Why do i have to follow the travel Regulations?

Uganda’s Primates such as endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are prune to getting human diseases, so to protect them from being affected by  Covid-19 and other human diseases, You must follow SOP’S put by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to keep these endangered species from getting infected by corona virus.

Again travel Regulations in Uganda today can change with the Covid-19 status.

Do i need a Covid test to enter Uganda?

• Tourists and business visitors arriving need to provide a negative PCR Covid-19 test conducted not more than 72 hours before arrival and those outbound travelers will also need to take a PCR Covid-19 test 72 hours before departure. These tests can be done at some of hospitals in Kampala and Entebbe for example Mulago national referral hospital, Nakasero hospital, Test and fly laboratories, Lancet laboratories and many more.
• There is health screening procedures at the Entebbe airport and other ports of entry with mandatory wearing of mask, sanitizing, temperature screening and Physical distancing. Once found with Covid-19 symptoms you will be isolated and taken to hospital for treatment.
• No self-isolation required and your tour driver will pick you and drive you to your place of stay without any hussle.
• Physical distancing, sanitization and wearing of a mask will keep you safe on your trip to Uganda.
• Uganda Wildlife authority (UWA) has tried to put up standard operating procedures (SOP’s) to guide the tourism activites and research ensuring safety and effective delivery of these services in UWA protected areas.

These include:-

• Mandatory wearing of face masks for all visitors in the wildlife protected areas and parks especially when undertaking an activity.
• There will be mandatory temperature screening using non-contact infra-red thermometers at all key tourism entry points of protected areas.
• All tourists undertaking primate tracking such as gorillas and chimpanzee activities should carry at least two N95 face masks or surgical mask or double layered cloth mask with filters.
• Mandatory hand washing or sanitizing at all UWA premises and protected areas.
• UWA staff have been trained to keep social distance and wear a mask at all times, use of infrared thermometers and the general measures to handle tourists.
• Enough sensitization by the staff on duty on the general operational guidelines given by the government and UWA
• All tourist Vehicles and boats in the parks will carry half capacity following the government guidelines and must be well spaced.
• Saloon cars will not be allowed in the park.
• Proper disposal of face masks according to the ministry of health guidelines.

Current Updates for all Travelers Arriving to & Departing Uganda

Uganda is fully open! In order for Uganda to comply with the East African Community (EAC) Sectoral Coucil of Ministers’ directives for the meeting held on the 21/January/2022, the following measures are implemented from 28/March/2022, for travellers and truck drivers arriving at all border points.

• Uganda will recognize COVID-19 PCR Results from East African Community (EAC) accredited labalatories that were jointly  accredited  by EAC for COVID-19 Testing. Travelers should come with Covid-19 results taken within 72 hours.
• COVID-19 PCR Results are currently not required for fully Vaccinated travelers including truck drivers to cross the land border of entry in Uganda. Its therefore not necessary to conduct Covid-19 test at land border points of entry.

The Mondatory COVID-19 testing of all incoming travelers at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda has been stopped with effect from 16, February, 2022.  However travelers on arrival are still expected to present a negative PCR Test done with in 72 hours and for departures, a negative PCR Test with in 72 hours is required.

On Friday 31/ December/2021, the President of Uganda announced the full reopening of economy after almost 2 years under restrictions.  At the end of year speach of President Yoweri K. Museveni of Uganda, removed curfew and allowed reopening of Bars, Entertainment, Discos, cinema and other sectors that have not been operating due to Covid -19 pandemic. He said all should to be fully reopend but to follow SOP’S.

The reopening started with transport sector with Public service vehicle allowing them to carry required full capacity, this followed other sectors like Schools, and Entertaiment centers, Bars, cinemas, Discos plus all other sectors. Happy residents are now freely allowed to enjoy ovenight clubs, Bars and do any business without restrictions. Life in Uganda is getting back to normal as differnt businesses are recovering.

Despite of the fully reopened Uganda, it is a requirement to have your face mask on while in public, wash hands or sanitize while in congregations.

All the above replaced for example, night curfew that was from 9pm to 6am, compulsory wearing of a mask in public, restricted church gatherings to 70 people per gathering, public transport like buses, minibuses and ferries were to carry half capacity, social distancing was a must and night clubs, public bars, weddings and large gatherings were banned. Ugandans and all Vistors are back to enjoy normal life.

Start preparing now for your trip to Uganda with the help of guidelines provided by Ugandan Government, Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Ministry of health. Most of the national parks are far away from the congested towns, making it safe for you to visit them with no hussle. The  Uganda lodges and hotels have also put in place all the needed requirements to make your stay safe and enjoyable. So you can confidently travel to Uganda now.