The Question often asked us, “Is Uganda Safe for Americans to Visit?
Surprisingly, Uganda is probably safer than many American Cities are this year.
“Is Uganda safe for Americans to visit? ” Many Americans ask that question when they think about a visiting 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 found 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 Outdated Ugandan Safety and Security information abound on the world wide web.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 TV news reports given by reporters stationed anywhere else but in Uganda.
We at Kabiza Wilderness Safaris live and work here. We care about Uganda more than the American Embassy does. As an American living in Uganda, I feel very safe, including during the pandemic.
We care about the Safety and Security of our American Clients on Safari. We want to alleviate any fears you might have by telling you about the reality in Uganda, warts and all.
We created this page to address the often-asked 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 an 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.” 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!”
Aldous Huxley wrote, “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries. “ How true that is. Often American Clients tell us that they are surprised at how wrong 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 find as they Visit Uganda on a Safari
Uganda is a Welcoming – Friendly – Country
Uganda is one of Africa’s safest, friendliest, welcoming, and hospital countries. Uganda has welcomed over a million refugees in the last few years.
African hospitality is deeply ingrained in the Ugandan culture.
Uganda is unlike what you might think it is like, and most Ugandans are gentle, peaceful, and welcoming people. The added plus for Americans is that Uganda is Africa’s best English-Speaking country.
Ninety-nine percent-plus of the Visitors, mostly Tourists on a Safari with an Association of Ugandan Tour Operators, will never have any safety and security issues in friendly, welcoming Uganda.
We can give you the best advice on how to visit Uganda with a local on-the-ground tour operator. You will be glad that you did.
Uganda is open Business and welcoming Safari-Goers and Visitors:
Current Pandemic Conditions in Uganda -April – 2022
Uganda has not experienced the pandemic like countries in Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Uganda has reopened for business and tourism. The country today is the safest pandemic safari destination in East Africa and beyond.
On April 13, 2022, there were only two people in hospital with COVID. The death rate is near zero, and new infections are at a minimum. Like many other Ugandans, those in tourism have been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, while other nearby countries use the less Chinese vaccine and have not had Uganda’s success.
The country has received accolades from the World Health Organization and articles on travel sites that spoke of Uganda’s success in fighting COVID. We would say that Ugandans realizes that we need to learn to adapt and live with the pandemic.
The good news is that Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, is a safer Safari Destination for you.
Uganda is safe for American Tourists, Visitors, and Safari Goers.
The safest place to be in Uganda is on a Safari. American Tourists and Safari Goers will find that the safest place is on a Safari with a Ugandan Tour Operator such as ourselves. Every security measure is taken to keep you safe from harm on a safari.
Guiding you through the Pearl of Africa is your personal seasoned and experienced driver guide. He knows the country’s current situation and, if necessary, can adjust the Safari on rare occasions such as bad road conditions. Your vehicle is marked as a tourism 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. In addition, there are Ugandan Military Personnel that patrol the parks.
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 country with a Tourism Police, and they are at all significant Tourism points, and their sole job is to keep you safe.
Safe 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 money to the country than any other economic sector. Everything is done to protect that investment, including the tourists who come to the Pearl of Africa.
While there is a shortage of uniformed police in many American cities. That is not the case in Uganda. There will be Police, Military, Rangers, and Tourist Police wherever you go.
All park activities are done with highly-trained, experienced, and skilled Uganda Wildlife Authority Rangers. Behind the scenes, the army patrols the parks, especially those on the border. Drones have used that help with safety and security and detect poaching activities.
There have been no tourism-related security incidents since Sue Endicott and her driver Jean-Paul Mirenge were kidnapped in April of 1019. They were kidnapped on a game drive without a 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 US Military plus other measures were taken. Today, the 
country is the only country where you can track Mountain Gorillas where there has not been a guerrilla incident in or around its parks.
Today, Uganda is one of the Safest Travel Destinations in Africa. We suggest that you use your Common Sense, which is the one thing you should not leave at home. We recommend reading the “is it safe to travel to Uganda” page for further information.
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.
The reality is this, you are receiving Unrivaled protection on a safari on Safari. Security Protection that you would not have visiting NYC’s Time Square, Seattle’s Pioneer District, downtown Portland, Chicago, Saint Louis, or Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. We as a tour operator, we understand concerns an American may have about visiting Uganda, but they are unfounded. As an American who has been in Uganda since 1992, I can attest to that. The only time I was ever robbed was in Washington State, where I lived.
As we have stated previously, the safest place to be is on a Safari in the Pearl of Africa.
How do I stay safe as an American visiting Uganda on Safari?
Try not to stand out, but blend in instead, and do not draw attention to yourself. Be aware of your surroundings.
Be aware of yourself in public places such as hotels, lodges, restaurants, and bars. Awareness keeps you safe. Be careful on the street and marketplaces if you are in downtown Kampala. It is where Ugandans have their earrings ripped off and their backpacks and purses removed. We usually avoid Kampala and take tourists there only at their request. We also that you only go on a night out in the African city that never sleeps and where the bars never close with your driver-guide.
Dress to blend in. In Kampala and other towns, Ugandans are fond of dressing smartly. You will get more readily accepted if you do likewise. On Safari, wear protective neutral color clothing.
Don’t talk loudly. Leave your expensive things at home, including jewelry and watches. Most importantly, do not draw attention to yourself. Act if you know what you are doing. Your confidence will be seen as a strength. Blend into your surroundings.
African Hospitality in Uganda is like a Security Blanket:
An African Welcome is not just a verbal greeting welcome that takes on the responsibility for your well-being, and that is what we do for our clients when on Safari.
The concept of African hospitality begins with wellbeing. While with us, while under our roof on Safari, your well-being, safety, and security are our focus.
African Hospitality takes on your Well-being as a responsibility not taken lightly by anyone. Kabiza Wilderness Safaris puts African Hospitality into practice when hosting Safari Clients.
The added benefit is that you are on a Safari with a local that gives you insights, cultural and historical background, and knowledge of wildlife like no other. They do not need a GPS device, it is built within.
Enjoy the Ugandan – Welcoming Hospitality. When you come into our Home – Uganda, Your well-being becomes our responsibility. We do ask you to use your common- sense and that you listen to your Driver-Guide, rangers.
Is Uganda safe for Americans to visit in 2022?
Many Ugandans admire the United States of America. In recent times Ugandans have looked on with horror at the levels of Crime overwhelming tourist destinations in America. Walking in bustling downtown Kampala is safer than walking around Times Square in NYC. You will not find Crime infested homeless encampments. We do not have store invasions by bands of thieves who take what they want without impunity.
Uganda has a proactive police force, including tourism police, to prevent crimes. There is no move afoot to defund the police afoot. Strict gun laws are enforced, and though there are guns with criminal elements, it comes down to a lot less.
Prosecuting attorneys throw the book at criminals. Even petty criminals suffer the consequences of their crimes. We do not have the crime waves sweeping across NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and other American cities.
While it pains us to point out the reality of safety and security, it must be brought up. The contrast between the two countries is remarkable, especially 
for tourists.
The reality is that Uganda should issue traveler warnings to its citizens that want to travel to the US. Unlike the US, which will slap a traveler warning on an African country for the slightest thing, most African countries have not issued travelers warning on the USA.
As recently happened in Philadelphia, no one in Uganda is being pushed in front of moving transport or being raped on public transport. Unlike in America, Ugandans step in and stop crimes with dire results for criminals.
You get the point. Being in Uganda on a Safari is safer than visiting one of America’s big cities. Hopefully, that will change for America and those who want to see it.
My take as an American about staying Safe in Uganda: I have been here since 1992. I Have kept a small footprint without drawing attention to myself and lived without problems. I feel safe and secure in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa…jon
US 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.
There are no new travel alerts or travel advisories for Uganda since the one issued about potential election violence.
We suggest that you enroll in the Smart Traveler Program. You will receive updates issued by the State Department.
