Tourists on the edge of the Nile River at Murchison Falls in Uganda

Kwezi Outdoors Safety Advisory on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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KAMPALA, Uganda

Kwezi Outdoors Ltd would like to reassure all our guests and travellers that Uganda is safe and free from the coronavirus (COVID-19). It is safe to travel to Uganda for your safari vacation. 

As a Uganda tour operator our utmost priority is the health, safety and security of our guests and staff. Kwezi Outdoors is handling the issue based on our company’s procedures and policies. We continue to monitor the news and statements from various organizations, such as WHO, CDC and the Uganda Government Ministry of Health. We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health and all public health professionals on the latest updates on this global situation.

As Kwezi Outdoors Ltd, we urge all our guests and travelers to consider the following safety information and preventive measures that we have adopted:

Pre-Travel

  • Before travelling to or through an affected country, ensure all relevant vaccinations and disease prophylaxis are up-to-date for your destination. For more information, see:  Fit For Travel.
  • Do not travel if you are sick. Many international airports, as well as other transportation hubs, have implemented health screening measures. Travelers may face testing and enforced quarantine.
  • Be aware of misinformation, something that the WHO has specifically warned.
  • Family members may be concerned and stressed about your travel. Have a discussion with them about the risks and their concerns. Be aware that some countries, including Uganda, are screening all travelers on arrival. Any fever or flu like symptoms may cause you to be quarantined regardless.

Travel Planning

  • If you had planned to travel through or from China, be aware that travel options have significantly decreased in recent weeks. A number of major airlines have cancelled flights to/from mainland China. Such airlines include British Airways, Air France, American Airlines, Thai Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa group (Austrian Air, Swiss Air and Lufthansa), and Delta Airways. Others, such as Emirates and South African Airways, have either cancelled or reduced flights to Hong Kong.  
  • Be aware that travel bans or enforced quarantine on arrival has been imposed on travellers from China by various countries. Uganda has enforced mandatory checks for all travellers arriving at the airport. Anyone with flu-like symptoms is quarantined at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, and the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital.
  • Maintain flexible itineraries and allow additional time at airports around the world, taking into account health screening measures and temperature checkpoints.

Avoiding Infection

Standard recommendations to avoid infection include:

    • All Kwezi Outdoors safari and tour vehicles have an alcohol based sanitizer solution (at least 60% alcohol) on board. There is also bottled water at all times. Use the water or sanitizer to wash or clean your hands as often as you need to. When travelling with young children, help them do the same.
    • If you have a fever or show flu-like symptoms, you will not be allowed to track gorillas and chimpanzees. Let us work together to conserve our natural heritage. Let our guide know of your condition as soon as possible.
    • Avoid shaking hands for the purpose of greeting or any other social gesture. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Though shaking hands is a normal social norm in Uganda, all Ugandans are very aware of the current situation and no one takes offense if you don’t shake hands.
    • It is a good idea to travel with your own an alcohol based sanitizer solution or wipes. In case you don’t, you can use the ones on our vehicles. If you need to buy a sanitizer, our safari guides are available to help you.
    • Always decontaminate equipment (camera, phones etc) with fast acting antimicrobial wipes such as Meliseptol whenever possible.
    • Cover your mouth with a tissue paper when coughing or sneezing, and dispose the soiled tissue paper in the rubbish bin immediately. There is a disposal container on board our safari vehicles.  
    • During your travel to Uganda, in as much as is possible, avoid close contact with anybody showing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing and or sneezing. Always place your hand over your mouth and nose when coughing and or sneezing.
    • If you develop symptoms, especially fever or shortness of breath, consider how you will seek medical treatment. Inform health officials at the port of entry or your hotel of your condition. Some government health bodies may recommend self-quarantine to prevent the infection of others.
    • Always follow the local health and tourism authorities’ guidance and instructions. Uganda’s Ministry of Health has hot lines that are open to use:
      • Uganda’s Ministry of Health Toll free: 0800 203 033 and 0800 100 066
        Mobile phone contacts for health officials:
      • Atek Kajrita:     +256 782 909 153
      • Allan Muruta:   +256 772 460 297
      • Bernard Opar:  +256 772 469 323
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Face Masks

The CDC and WHO are in agreement that it is not necessary for people without symptoms to wear masks, unless you are told to by the local authorities. As of date, Uganda is free of the coronavirus and it may not be necessary to wear a face mask while in the country.

General Information

Please be aware that due to the rapidly changing situation, travelers may have to undergo additional health screenings or requirements by health officials at different airlines / airports. Check with your travel agent / advisor before you leave your home country.

We shall keep you updated on the requirements at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. Contact us on email: wecare@kwezioutdoors.com 

On behalf of the team at Kwezi Outdoors, I thank our guests and travel partners for their understanding and patience. Thank you for entrusting us with your safari vacation.  

NOTE: We are grateful to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for allowing us to adapt their information for our guests use. 

Contact: 

Vincent Mugaba
Kwezi Outdoors Ltd
Tel: +256 70 455 4747 
Email: wecare@kwezioutdoors.com