Practical Steps to Stay Safe on a Safari in Uganda in 2022
Is it safe to travel to Uganda in 2022? How to Stay Safe and Secure on a Safari in Uganda
Is it safe to travel to Uganda in 2022? How to Stay Safe on a Safari in Uganda. Safe Gorilla – Chimpanzee – Wildlife Safaris in Uganda are the norm in Uganda and not the exception.
Your Safety and Well-being on a Safari are always as we plan and carry out your Safari. A Safari in the Pearl of Africa is the ultimate and most exciting adventure for most.
Without a doubt, the safest place to be in Uganda is on a Safari. Follow the advice of your experienced and knowledgeable Driver-Guide. Listen to the instructions of the Uganda Wildlife Authority on nature walks, hikes, and game drives and you will stay safe and secure.
Wear clothing that will protect you. Use lots of insect repellent and good sunscreen to protect you from the rays of the equatorial sun.
Most of all, do not leave your common sense at home. Bring it along on your Safari. It will keep you safe and from harm.
We have put together practical and helpful safety and security information, tips, and advice to keep you enjoying your time on a Safari in Uganda. Something to think about. Here is the reality: “Safe Safaris in Uganda are the norm and not the exception.”
Is it safe to travel to Uganda on a Safari in 2022?
How to Stay Safe on a Safari in Uganda in 2022
How Safe is Uganda during the COVID Pandemic in 2022?
The excellent news for Ugandans, Visitors to the country, Tourists, and Safari-Goers is that Uganda is a safer COVID Pandemic Travel Destination. On April 30, 2022, Uganda will be the safest Pandemic Safari Destination in East Africa. We suggest that you go to the regional newspaper, the East African, for more information about the status of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, South Sudan, Kenya, and Tanzania. Those are the present member states.
On April 27th, 2022, the Ugandan Ministry of Health announced that all COVID patients in hospitals had been discharged with a clean bill of health. On April 13th, there were only two patients hospitalized with COVID-19. New infections are all-time low, yet preventative measures must be continued.
Uganda reopened for Business earlier in the year. Kampala, the city before the pandemic, was a city that never slept, woke up, and partied all night. Schools, Churches, Mosques, Sports and Music Events, and public transport all came back to life.
The Uganda Ministry of Health, as of April 27, 2022, no longer requires incoming or outgoing passengers who are fully vaccinated to take a COVID PCR test. Mask requirements have also been eased.
Uganda has a long and successful track record of fighting disease outbreaks, and it also fought a most successful fight against HIV-Aids. Crack medical teams are well trained in case of an Ebola outbreak, usually contained in a short period of time. With that background, Uganda implemented a containment strategy for the COVID Pandemic, receiving accolades from near and far.
Use a Local Reliable Experienced, and accredited Safari Tour Operator:
Go on a Safari with a local expert, a Bonafide and accredited Ugandan Tour Operator, a member of the Association of Ugandan Tour Operators.
For your Safety, forget about planning and carrying out your own Safari. Forget about a Self-Drive Safari. Use a Ugandan Tour Operator such as us for your peace of mind. It is the safest way to go on a Safari in the Pearl of Africa.
With us. you will have your own personal Safari Vehicle with a driver-guide that knows Uganda.
His focus is to keep you safe and healthy during your time in Uganda. He will never get lost; he does not need a map or GPS device. He knows Uganda, and he lives and works here. Uganda is his home, and, in most cases, he is proud of his country and wants to introduce you to it on Safari.
For a successful, safe, and enjoyable, leave the worry to the tour operator. He will handle all the details of your Safari. The tour operator knows the Park Protocols, including what you need to know about primate tracking.
Stay at Safe and Secure Lodges and Hotels:
Hotels and lodges are very secure, and you will be surprised by the Security exhibited by many of them.
Security is integrated into Uganda’s daily life, and we pick safe, secure lodges and hotels both in Kampala or Entebbe and in the National Parks. Lodges either use Private Security Companies or police, military, or rangers. Thanks to solar power, Lodges are well lit compared to the past.
You will be surprised that the Security at a hotel or Lodge is often armed. Most likely, they have not used their weapons in many years, but it is there for the added protection for guests.
Safety and Security for guests, clients, and visitors are on everyone’s mind, and it is never taken lightly; fortunately, there have been no mishaps concerning Security at lodges in recent times.
In the Post-COVID-19 world of Safaris. Lodges and Hotels adhere to the protocols that have been put into place by the Ministry of Health with the World Health Organization.
We avoid Nighttime Driving on Safari:
We avoid driving at night for safety reasons due to higher accident rates related to alcohol consumption and drivers that lack safe nighttime driving skills.
If your flight arrives at night, we will take you to a hotel in Entebbe and not in Kampala. We schedule your itinerary without nighttime driving unless absolutely necessary.
At rare times, due to flight delays, we have taken clients at night to their destination, such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Gorilla Permits. That is only done at a client’s request.
The US and UK embassies in Uganda suggest that you do not drive at night except Entebbe to Kampala. We take that one step further and avoid nighttime driving altogether.
We avoid Nighttime Driving for your well-being and Safety, except for airport pickup and drop-off.
Reliable National Park Security:
An armed ranger is with you on every game drive for your protection, and the same is true on every hike or nature walk.
Security in the National Parks is taken seriously. Uganda has even added a Tourism Police to protect visitors to the various parks, hotels, and multiple places tourists flock to.
Your well-being is on everyone’s mind, and Security in parks is practiced most diligently in Uganda and Rwanda.
Tourism is a top income earner for Uganda, and no one wants to jeopardize the goose that lays the golden egg.
Community awareness programs take place about the importance of Wildlife and coexistence with them. A portion of the entrance fees is also shared with surrounding communities.
Follow the Rules in Uganda’s National Park and Preserves:
Parks are under the authority of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, gardens are well regulated, and the rules are strictly enforced. Besides the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s directions, we have added some of our own to keep you safe and secure on your Safari in Uganda.
Rules and Suggestions to Keep you Well -Safe-Secure on Safari
- No movement on foot in Parks without a UWA Ranger escort: You are in the wilderness and there are wild animals. The Ranger escort keeps you safe and secure while you move on foot in parks. Outside of parks use the local knowledge of your driver-guide.
- No Driving in parks from 7:30 pm until 6:30 am: The exceptions are authorized Nocturnal Game Drives.
- No Wandering away from your Lodge: Lodges are either inside or just outside of Parks. There are wild animals around and you might encounter unexpected poachers.
- No Game Drives without an armed Ranger: Not only for security, but a Ranger will know where the game can be found on that day. Their insights enhance your Safari experience.
- Wear Life Vests on Wildlife Launch Trips: It is suggested that you wear life vests during boating activities when provided. That is especially true while in a dugout canoe on Lake Bunyonyi or Lake Mutanda. Young children should always wear a life vest during boating activities.
- Do not sit on top of the Safari Vehicle: For your personal Safety Uganda Wildlife Authority does not permit sitting on top of a vehicle. You have plenty of freedom to see game since safari vehicles come with a pop-up roof.
- Family Safaris with young Children: Never allow the children to be unattended.
- Do not wear Camouflage Clothing: Military clothing gets you unnecessary attention and is not suggested.
- Nocturnal Game Drives: Nocturnal Game Drives are only conducted with Uganda Wildlife Vehicles except where UWA authorizes a lodge to do so as in Lake Mburo Park.
- Dress for the occasion and activity: Safari wear is meant to protect you including the proper footwear for the activity such as Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Golden Monkey Trekking, Nature Walks, and Hikes. Have one outfit for dinner in Kampala or Entebbe.
- Keep a low profile: Keeping a low profile while on a Safari is a key safety and security element.
- Copies of passport-Visa-Pertinent Medical Information: Put copies of vital documents into your backpack or daypack.
Safe Gorilla Trekking in Uganda:
It is simple, do mathematics. Gorilla Tracking permits are the number one income earner for Uganda’s government regarding tourism. The local communities benefit significantly from revenue sharing from the permits and are thriving.
Uganda has committed all resources to creating a safe environment for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Gorilla Trekking involves a security detail for every group of tourists out on the Trek. They are armed for your protection against any threat, wild or human, and there has not been an instance where that is necessary. Security, however, remains in place.
If you enter Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga National Park, you will have to be in the Park Rangers’ company even if you are not gorilla trekking; there is no such thing as a stroll in the park on your own.
We review all activities outside of gorilla parks, such as the Buhoma Village Walk and the Batwa Experience in order to ensure that they are safe activities.
How to avoid being kidnapped while on Safari:
In April 2019, we did have one isolated incident when an American Woman, Kimberly Sue Endicott, along with her driver, was kidnapped (no armed Ranger was in the vehicle) in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth. They were released five days later, and everyone in Uganda and elsewhere rejoiced. The kidnappers were captured, tried, and imprisoned.
Though it was a one-time incident, we have put together some practical steps to avoid being kidnapped while on a Safari anywhere. One thing is for sure since the unfortunate incident in 2019, security measures have increased dramatically.
There are some practical steps that you can take to avoid being kidnapped while you are on a Safari, and it begins by going on Safari with a reliable Association of Uganda Tour Operator (AUTO) such as we are.
We suggest that you read our “How to avoid being Kidnapped on Safari” page.
Staying Healthy while on Safari:
Safety and Security go together with staying well on a safari. Before you come to Uganda, you will need your Yellow Fever and COVID-19 Vaccination. A supply of anti-malaria drugs and your regular prescription.
We have never had a client that became ill on Safari with us besides being bitten by an insect here and there, just like in your country. The only bug that we want to bite you is the safari bug.
Most visitors to Uganda are bitten by the bug and cannot wait to return to Africa’s Pearl.
We have put together some common sense health advice that you will find most helpful as you plan your Safari in Uganda.
The last thing you want on the day that you are scheduled to trek gorillas is to have a case of Idi Amin’s revenge.
Follow our advice based on years of experience guiding clients through the Pearl of Africa on a Safari.
Obtain Travel Insurance:
It is not a Sales pitch for Travel Insurance that would be inappropriate. It is wise and prudent to have Travel insurance, and we suggest that 
you obtain it as you book your Safari with dates.
On several occasions, we have assisted clients as they filed a claim due to delayed flights that caused havoc with the itinerary.
We have seen the Travel Insurance rarely being used, but one case stands out: a woman stumbled and fell, which could have happened anywhere.
The woman sustained a shoulder injury. We oversaw the medical evacuation by plane from the park, examination at Uganda’s best hospitals, and her home flight to Australia. We also furnished the Insurance Company with all the information required.
She, with her friend, is returning soon to complete Safari, which came to a halt on Day three. She was thankful that she had taken out Travel Insurance.
We strongly suggest that you obtain COVID-19 insurance coverage.
Is it safe to travel to Uganda on a Safari in 2022? – Use Kabiza Wilderness Safaris
Just Safe – Hakuna Matata -no-Worry Safaris in Uganda – We’ve got you covered: The safe outcome of a Safari is more important to us than income. We do not design an unsafe safari, and we would adjust the Safari if there were dangerous conditions. We know Uganda, and we live and work here. You are not dealing with someone in NYC selling African Tours into Uganda.
We are a Ugandan Tour operator. We know the latest weather, the most recent road closure, and how to circumvent it. We see the security conditions.’
You do not have to be Indiana Jones to go on a Safari in Uganda, and you will never be in our parks without the Security of armed rangers.
Visiting Uganda on a Safari is safer for tourists than is New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, Portland, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. There is no defunding of the police in Uganda. Police presence has increased, including the Tourism Police. .
