CHECKS TO DO BEFORE YOUR NEXT SAFARI DURING THE COVID-19 TIMES
Covid-19 put travel at a halt, first with the closure of entry point and travel restrictions to and from some countries. The pandemic turned everything upside down, the rules of travel changed. The year 2020 was a tough one for all the stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry across the world, even wildlife because tourism supports conservation a lot. It has probably been a while since some of us dusted our luggage, touched our passports despite the need to travel. Some had already paid advances/deposits for their safaris or tours to Africa but we have fingers crossed for the future now that there has been ease on the travel restrictions some are traveling again. But, before you travel there are several checks to do to make sure your safari/trip runs smoothly.
- When and where you can or can’t travel
As some destinations are receiving visitors, some still have their borders closed to all but can allow essential travel. There are countries that you don’t need to quarantine on arrival like Uganda, provided you present negative PCR test results taken within 72 hours. For Rwanda, you need to present the negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours and still test on arrival and wait for results at your hotel room. So you need to know where you will be allowed to enter and when you can go there.
- Travel and entry requirements
Most entry points (airports and borders) have requirements for travelers. These include wearing a mask, PCR test, Proof of vaccination, locator of places you have visited recently among others. These are a must-have at most entry points and you should enquire from your handler (tour operator) or ask recent visitors to those destinations to know what are the requirements for you before you arrive at the destination.
- Your passport
Many have not used their passports for a while now. You might even not know where you placed it from your last trip. You need to know if it still up to date or not expired. This is because you will need at least 6 months left (validity) on your passport to visit Uganda and Rwanda- Our countries of specialization.
- Assess the level of risk (Your own and others)
Most are not traveling now, not through choice but because the virus hasn’t gone away. The risk of the virus may have greatly reduced but still, some travelers think the remaining is still a significant one. So, because they don’t want to put their and others’ lives at risk they choose not to travel. To travel or not to, is a decision that is done by you after you have assessed the risks by considering the numbers of cases being registered, operating procedures at the destination among others.
You can read more about alerts on health and covid-19 information in Uganda here and in Rwanda here.
