The Question often asked us, “Is Uganda Safe for Americans to Visit?
Surprisingly, Uganda is safer than many American Cities this year.
“Is Uganda safe for Americans to visit? “Many Americans ask that question when they think about staying or going on a Safari in Uganda.
Why would Americans ask such a question? The answer often is because of the vast amount of misinformation on the internet. Outdated Ugandan Safety and Security information abound on the world wide web.
Often, they consist of articles about Uganda written by people who have never set foot inside the Pearl of Africa. Just listen to any T.V. news reports given by reporters stationed anywhere else but in Uganda.
We at Kabiza Wilderness Safaris live and work here, and we care about Uganda more than the American Embassy does. As an American living in Uganda, I feel very safe and felt that way during the pandemic, which had little impact on the life of Ugandans beside the lockdowns, and business and school closures.
We care about the Safety and Security of our American Clients on Safari. We want to alleviate your fears by telling you about Uganda, warts and all.
Why we created this page:
We created this page to address the question: “Is Uganda safe for Americans to visit? ? Are Americans safe on a Safari? The answer is that 99% plus of American Tourists leave Uganda without any incident involving Safety and Security.
Yes, Uganda has had an image problem. Something I call “the lingering Ghosts of Idi Amin.” They seem to hang on and on. Uganda’s image and reputation have not been helped by movies such as “The Last King of Scotland” and “Seven Days in Entebbe.” or the “Raid on Entebbe.”
There are also documentaries, such as the Semi-Fictional “Kony 2012” produced by Invisible Children. Invisible the organization became after unsuccessful showings in Uganda, which caused riots in some cities. Uganda has no pro-country gorilla blockbuster movies such as “Gorillas in the Mist.” Like the comedian Rodney Dangerfield, Uganda could say, “I don’t get no respect!”
There are also Ugandan Politicians both in the ruling party and opposition making statements reflecting their personal feelings and opinions that do great harm to Ugandan Tourism image.
Aldous Huxley wrote, “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries. “How true that is. OfteCountrycan Clients tell us that they are surprised at how bad they were about the country. How safe and secure they felt during their time in the Pearl of Africa and how welcoming, friendly, and hospitable Ugandans were.
Is Uganda safe for Americans to visit? Are Americans safe on a Safari?
Here is what American Tourists discover as they Visit Uganda on a Safari:
Uganda is a Welcoming – Friendly – Country
Uganda is one of Africa’s safest, friendliest, welcoming, and most hospital countries. Uganda has welcomed over a million refugees in the last few years, and African hospitality is deeply ingrained in the Ugandan culture. When someone invites you to their here, your well-being is their responsibility.
Uganda is very unlike what you might think Or imagine. Most visitors to the country are pleasantly surprised as to how gentle, friendly, hospitable, and welcoming Ugandans are.
Ninety-nine percent-plus of the Visitors, mostly Tourists on a Safari with an Association of Ugandan Tour Operators Safari Company such as ourselves, never have any safety and security problems.
In recent months a visitor from the UK on a self-planned self-drive safari drowned swimming in the Nile near Pakwach, which borders Murchison Falls Park. Locals had warned him that this was a dangerous portion of the Nile to swim, advice that he ignored.
Additionally, three South Arabians driving through the park from Pakwach to Masindi stopped to observe some elephants. One of them got out of the vehicle and was trampled to death by an Elephant. They were businessmen in transit through the park driving themselves without an armed Ranger on board. All reasons why you need an experienced tour operator such as ourselves who use Rangers on all game drives.
Ug
anda is safe for American Tourists, Visitors, and Safari Goers.
American Tourists and Safari Goers will find that the safest place to be in Uganda is on a Safari with a Ugandan Tour Company such as Kabiza Wilderness Safaris.
Our Driver Guide will guide you through discovering the Pearl of Africa. Your driver-guide will know the country’s current situation and, if necessary, can adjust the Safari on rare occasions Country’s terrible road conditions. Your vehicle is marked as a tourist vehicle and is not hassled by the traffic police as you would be on a self-drive safari.
Safe Safaris are the norm and not the exception. The only excitement you will have is the incredible wildlife and primate encounters.
The country is home to Gorillas but not Guerrillas. The National Parks are kept safe by Park Rangers. Ugandan Army. Tourism Police and regular police. In addition, drones and airplanes are used to monitor the parks and wildlife reserves.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority Park Rangers were trained in 2019 by the American Military, and they gave them new skills in maintaining safe parks. Uganda is the only East African co
untry with a Tourism Police, and they are at all significant Tourism points. Their sole job is to keep you safe while in Uganda.
The Safes place in Uganda is on a Safari with a bonafide tour operator.
Gorilla – Chimpanzee Trekking-Safe Game Drive-Hikes and Climbs.
For a Tourist, the most dangerous thing you can do is cross a road in Kampala. At least, that is what the popular Bradt Guide writes.
The safety of international and domestic tourists is not taken lightly by anyone involved in the tourist and hospitality sector. Before the pandemic, Tourism brought more income to the country than any other economic sector.
The Ugandan government is doing everything to protect that investment, including the tourists who come to the Pearl of Africa and pay in US Dollars.
All park activities are done with highly trained, experienced, and skilled Uganda Wildlife Authority Rangers. Behind the scenes, the army patrols the parks, especially on the border. Even Drones help with safety and security and detect poaching activities or any unauthorized people in parks.
No tourism-related security incidents have occurred since Sue Endicott and her driver Jean-Paul Mirenge were kidnapped in April of 1019. They were abducted on a game drive without an armed ranger aboard the vehicle. That incident dramatically increased the levels of security in the country. The perpetrators were caught, tried, and sentenced.
Rangers received special training from the U.S. Military, plus other measures were taken. Today, Uganda is the only country where you can track Mountain Gorillas where there has not been a guerrilla incident in or around its gorilla parks.
As a Ugandan tour operator, we offer more safety and security information than anyone else. The reason is that we want you to know what security is like in Uganda before you go. Suppose you are on a safari with us. Your questions regarding every aspect of the Safari, including safety and Security measures, will be answered.
According to the popular Bradt Guide to Uganda, the most dangerous thing you can do is attempt to cross the road in Kampala.
You are receiving Unrivaled protection on a safari in the Pearl of Africa. Security Protection that you would not have while visiting most American Tourist destinations such as Time Square in New York City, Sam Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, or New Orleans. where some International Tourists have been hurt.
Here are practical steps to stay Safe and Secure on a Safari.
- Common Sense – Do not Leave Home without it: We all have Common Sense, shaped by parents, teachers, faith, and life experience. Common Sense is what we learn in life’s kindergarten, and it includes basic survival instincts, knowing when things may seem unsafe, even in unfamiliar settings. When travelers do things traveling, they would never do in their Country of origin.
- Be Self-Aware and Stay Focused: Security experts tell us that many Travel Security Problems can be avoided by staying focused on the level of Self-Awareness. You always know who you are and project those strengths with those you encounter. Exude Confidence. We call it the “Never Act Lost even if you are,” Strength launched. Power is respected in Uganda. Locally one would say they are tough, and how others perceive you is essential. Do not Stand-out– stay focused – be aware, and blend in.
- Know about Uganda Before You Go: Knowing as much as possible before going is critical to your security and well-being. Leave nothing to chance, the last thing you want is to arrive at Entebbe International Airport, and there is no one to meet you.
- Do not post your Travel Plans and Safari Itinerary on social media: People post their travel plans on social media. Not just your friends and family who read your social media postings but criminals. Publishing your Travel itinerary also makes your unattended Home a target while you are gone. It is best to post your trip report after returning home. You can inform your friends and family by posting them on OneDrive, Google, or DropBox instead of social media.
- Stick to the Park Rules and Guidelines for a Safe and Secure Safari: We know Uganda – we live and work here, as we like to say. We know the parks, which lodges are secure, and which activities are safe and sane. We know the latest security updates, suggestions, and regulations by Ugandan Police, Military, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and Uganda Tourism board.
- Act as if you are in Control – do not be a victim: Neve appears to be a soft and easy target for people who might want to harm you for financial gain. Exude confidence, even if you have to fake it until you make it until it becomes natural. Act confidently. Do not stand out, but blend in instead, and do not draw attention to yourself. Be aware of your surroundings.
Is Uganda safe for Americans to visit in 2022-2023?
Uganda is a safe and secure African Safari Holiday Destination in Africa. It has been that way since 2006, except for the kidnapping of an American Tourist on a game drive without an accompanying armed Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger.
We live and work here. Some have families with children. No one in our company would hesitate to take their families on the same kind of Safari that you will be going on. If you take some basic precautions and listen to your driver-guide and the Rangers, you will be fine on an enjoyable safari in Uganda.
We suggest that you obtain suitable travel insurance. We do not sell such insurance but have some recommendations for what to look for. Additionally, we automatically include the AMREF-Flying Doctors insurance for our clients on a safari with us. The consists of an air medical evacuation to a hospital that meets international standards.
For your peace of mind, automatically add an AMREF Flying Doctor’s medivac policy in case of a rare emergency.
We look forward to greeting you in safe and secure Uganda.
September – 2022: Ebola in Uganda
Ebola has come to Uganda once again. This time it is the less ready Sudan strain. The outbreak is limited to the Mubende area that is on the way to Kibale Forest. We are presently bypassing the area as we have during pas episodes with Ebola. It is expected to be over by the end of October.Click on the link below for more detailed information.
We suggest that you read our page regarding the outbreak and travel plans to Uganda.
U.S. Embassy Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Kampala-Plot 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala, Uganda, the Embassy is like a Fort Knox mini-version, at least in my opinion.
Telephone: +(256)(0) 414-306-001 Emergency:+(256)(0) 414-306-001 Fax:+(256)(0) 414-259-794
Email: KampalaUScitizen@state.gov Website: U.S. Embassy Kampala
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Uganda has no new travel alerts or travel advisories since the one about potential election violence.
We suggest that you enroll in the Smart Traveler Program. You will receive updates issued by the State Department.
