We hope you are well, staying home and keeping safe and healthy! At Kwezi Outdoors we are ready and set to welcome you for the next safari in Uganda
Though the world may be quiet, and the trails silent — don’t stop dreaming. There is a trail to hike. A mountain to summit. A baby gorilla to encounter. A land to discover and connect with on your next safari vacation. Soon the bags will be packed as the trails around the world open.
At Kwezi Outdoors, we shall be here to welcome you! We know travel may not be the same again for a while but whether you travel solo or as a family, we are here for you.
And if you already made a reservation with us, rest assured that all tracking permits, and booked safaris will be honored. Better still, you can reschedule your gorilla and or chimp safari FREE of charge up to end of December 2022. The same applies to our other activities like mountain treks, game fishing and safaris.
We are in this together. Travel when you are ready and at your convenience.
In meantime, since the temporary lockdowns brought about the coronavirus (COVID-19), we at Kwezi Outdoors have focused on keeping our team, families, and community safe.
As we closely monitor and adhere the Ministry of Health policies, we are continually updating our Health & Safety Guidelines. Our team is continually updated on the health recommendations and guidelines by the World Health Organization and Uganda’s Ministry of Health for their safety, yours, and our communities.
When we get outdoors again, you will find that our vehicles all have personal hand sanitizers, PPE for the guide, and water and soap for effective hand washing anytime during your safari. Unlike in the past when we made a number of stopovers for cultural or community events, that will not be possible for a while. Drives will be non-stop from destination to destination. If you prefer flying between the national parks, we have you covered too.
Following guidance from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Government of Uganda, we shall temporary halt gorilla and chimp tracking safaris. The great apes are very close to humans and are thus vulnerable to infections.
It is our responsibility to you, to the communities that protect these animals and to all humanity to ensure that these animals are safe. We shall let you know as soon as it is safe to travel again.
Kwezi Outdoors shall continue running our safaris, mountain treks, birding, fishing and other adventures in private tours in line with our health and safety guidelines.
We look forward to warmly welcoming you to Uganda – this beautiful and sunny Pearl of Africa.
Thank you for your continued loyalty, patience and understanding. We wish you all health and wellness.
The team at Kwezi Outdoors continues providing the following services:
- Travel planning
- Safari consultancy
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Kwezi Outdoors Safety Advisory on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 22 March 2020
Uganda has banned all international travel in and out of the country with immediate effective. This is in an effort to stem the spread of the #Coronavirus (Covid-19) after the country registered the first case Sunday 22 March 2020.
Kwezi Outdoors has suspended all safaris. We have and continue to advise our guests to postpone their travel to a later date. If however one has to cancel, we will honor all cancellations and postponements at no cost to you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all families, friends and nations around the world as we go through these very painful and challenging times. For as long as we can and it is possible, we shall share photos / videos of our past travel around Uganda. In a small way, we want to #LightUp your day, every day, knowing #WeShallOverCome #Covid19. Just know #YouAreNotAlone. To all our #Frontliners and their families wherever you are in the world, you are #OurSunshine.
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Previous Advisory as of 12 Feb 2020
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:
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- 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
- Uganda’s Ministry of Health Toll free: 0800 203 033 and 0800 100 066
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