The situation in the country has been managed well (in our opinion). Daily life in the country is returning to normal while the population is asked to continue adhering to the set out Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) e.g. wearing facemask, sanitizing hands with alcohol-based rub or soap, keeping social distance, avoiding large gatherings among others.

In term of Covid-19 cases, the country registered 41,000+ positive cases and of those, 40,000+ have recovered with 300+ deaths registered (Source: Ministry of Health site). In the press most facilities are reporting the absence of patients as the number of new cases has significantly dropped.

The country received the first batch of COVID vaccines at the start of March 2021 and vaccination is ongoing since March 10, 2021. The vaccination has been planned to run in a phased manner. At the launch, the Health Minister who took the first shot in an effort to give confidence to the public, outlined the schedule which put health workers (both in public and private facilities) to be first recipients. Immediate group were Security personnel of all categories. As the process continues, the next in line would be Teachers and staff in all education institutions – public and private not-for-profit, as well as private for-profit and then there will be the essential service workers who interact with many people by the nature of their work. Thereafter all persons aged 50 years and above in the country will the vaccinated. As the population continues receiving the jabs, we can confidently say that the country is getting safer every time that passes.

First, the country is open to receiving travelers/tourists. On arrival, one is required to present/provide a valid PCR Test result/certificate not older than 120 hours. Once that is available and valid, one is allowed entry and proceed with the trip without any disruption (e.g. quarantine). Towards the end of your trip, you are expected to do a Covid-19 test so as to obtain another PCR result/certificate that you will present before departure. We have been able to integrate Covid-19 test within the travel itineraries and we are proud to say that our esteem clients have been able to take their Covid-19 tests without disrupting any planned activity or their fly out schedule.

We are operating in close adherence to all the Covid-19 guidelines (SOPs) set out by the line Ministry and the Ministry of Health. Expect to find an alcohol-based hand sanitizer in your safari car, your driver-guide will be having his facemask on and we encourage that you carry yours too, your driver-guide shall not do a handshake/hug (please don’t be offended if declined), expect to find the car clean and neat. Should you feel unwell, your driver-guide will lead you to a medical facility for attention, we provide timely alerts to all our esteem clients in case of any new restrictions put in place. We are proud to say that all our esteem clients have been able to pass their Covid-19 test while on a safari with us which has given us confidence in the efforts we put towards seeing that our clients are safe.

You can postpone your trip to a later date (in future) and we shall reschedule at no extra cost. We offer flexible cancellation, postponement and payment conditions to our esteem clients. For instance, you will need only 60% to book your safari and 40% can be paid 2 weeks to the start date of the trip or better still, you can even pay in Cash (USD) on arrival. Once Gorilla/ Chimp permits have been reserved, the fees paid is non-refundable (unfortunately). We therefore encourage our esteem clients to postpone their trips to a later date and the trip is always rescheduled at no extra cost.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has set the following among others;

– UWA shall provide hand washing/sanitisation facilities at the entrances of all its premises and Protected Areas(PAs). All persons, including tourists and researchers accessing the PAs shall wash and or use an alcohol based hand sanitizers (containing at least 60% alcohol) at all entry points.

– All UWA staff, tourists, researchers, research assistants and other categories of visitors, shall, at all times correctly and consistently wear the recommended masks prescribed by Government of Uganda / Ministry of Health. The mask shall cover the nose and mouth at all times when in use.

– All tourists and researchers shall come with their own masks and correctly and consistently wear them as prescribed by Ministry of Health.

– Tourists and researchers to Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga Gorilla and Kibale and Kyambura Wildlife Reserve shall be required to wear N95 masks, surgical masks or cloth masks with filters.

– Tourists with disposable masks such as the N95 and surgical masks shall be required to carry at least two (02) or more masks to ensure single use for each day of visitation.

– It is mandatory for all tourists going for primate tracking activities to carry at least two N95 masks or surgical masks or double layered cloth masks with filters.

– Visitors without masks or those who do not abide by the handwashing and sanitisation measures shall not be permitted to enter protected areas.

– UWA staff shall use non-contact infrared thermometers to conduct body temperature screening of all visitors at the tourism gates of the various protected areas. Visitors with body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius shall be denied entry into the protected areas and shall be reported to the respective district medical teams through the mechanisms set by Ministry of Health, Uganda.

– International tourists shall be required to provide proof that they have undergone the necessary Government of Uganda / Ministry of Health measures for inbound travellers as shall be advised from time to time. The required documentary proof may include but not limited to clearance by Ministry of Health of mandatory quarantine or rapid test results where applicable and any other documentation that the Ministry of Health shall prescribe as a requirement for entry into Uganda and the wildlife protected areas.

– All common areas with heavy tourist contacts shall be disinfected at least thrice a day – before, during and after visiting hours. These include information counters, service desks, waiting areas, park offices and toilets. Toilets in particular shall be cleaned every 2 hours. Regular sanitisation of workstations, doorknobs and other susceptible surfaces shall be carried out.