Greetings from Adventure Consults, and glad to let you know that post-lockdown travel in the Pearl Of Africa – Uganda is getting better and better each day!
We appreciate all those who have travelled with us in the last half of 2021 amidst strict travel conditions around the world.
With the Covid pandemic still roving around the world, a lot has changed in the travel world and so much keeps changing as far as protocols and guidelines are concerned.
The information shared by Adventure Consults’ team covers protocols as they are at the time of compilation. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) keep changing and sometimes at very short notice. We therefore recommend that you keep checking with our team (sales@adventureconsults.com) for more UpToDate information and ensure that you/your clients meet required travel procedures.
Quick overview
Tourist Entry and exit: Allowed.
Land borders: Open other than Uganda/Rwanda border that is still closed as of 5th July 2021.
International Tourist Travel around Uganda: Allowed.
Testing prior arrival: Required to present a negative PCR COVID-19 certificate.
Testing upon arrival: If not vaccinated, there’s mandatory PCR Covid-19 test on arrival.
Local Restrictions
Lockdown in Effect: Partial but doesn’t affect Licensed Tour operator vehicles, staff & guides.
Hotels: Open under strict SOPs.
Shopping places and craft shops: Open under strict SOPs
Restaurants: Open under strict SOPs.
On 18th June 2021, the president of Uganda announced guidelines to help curb and control the spread of covid-19. The restrictions in place generally are in favor of tourism business. All land borders (other than Uganda-Rwanda borders), international airport and commercial flights are operating normal. Travel between all entry points and any tourist destinations (hotels/National parks etc) are strictly with registered and licensed tour operators.
Based on the current trend of COVID 19 outbreak, Uganda’s ministry of health categorised countries in relation to the COVID-19 risk they pose. Categorization was according to the presence of variants of concern, high rate of transmission of the disease, and number of deaths reported in the last 3 months.
As of 5th July 2021, it’s only India which is still listed under category 1. The following conditions apply to all flights and passengers originating from India.
- All passenger flights between Uganda and India are suspended until further notice.
- No travelers from India shall be allowed into Uganda regardless of the route of travel.
- All travelers who may have been in India or travelled through India in the last 14 days regardless of the route taken shall not be allowed into Uganda.
Category 2.
Countries listed under category 2: United States of America, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Turkey, South Sudan and Tanzania.
Category 3. All Countries not in category 1 and 2. This implies, there are practically only 2 categories.
Before Travelling to Uganda: All travelers irrespective if Nationality or vaccination status are required to present Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) negative COVID-19 test certificate, issued no more than 72 hours before departing the country of origin. The certificate is a requirement at the point of entry. Infants aged three and under are exempt when accompanying parents arrive with a negative test certificate.
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport/Uganda’s entry points:
Any travelers/individuals from category 2 & 3 countries as listed above, who have not received their full covid-19 vaccinations, shall be subjected to PCR-COVID-19 test at all points of entry including Entebbe International airport.
Individuals/Travelers in category 2 and 3 as listed above who have received their full COVID-19 vaccination and are asymptomatic will be allowed into the country without the need for testing on arrival. This is the status as of 5th July 2021, and it’s recommended that you check with us for regular updates before your travel.
Where to test from;
The testing center is in Entebbe (less than 10 minutes’ drive from Entebbe airport, close to Protea Hotel – Entebbe. Note that Adventure consults’ involvement is within the set guidelines and procedures, so please respect the guidelines as shall be instructed.
Important to mention is that we have partnered with Uganda Tourism Board, through our Association Of Uganda Tour Operators for a more swift testing process. With this new arrangement, you are able to meet Adventure Consults’ guide after clearing with customs, transfer to the testing center and get your results in less than 2 hours. If you haven’t booked the first night in Entebbe, we can make arrangements for you to wait for results from the selected hotels at no extra cost (courtesy of Adventure Consults).
As of 5th July 2021, the the cost for testing on arrival is not more than sixty-five US dollars (USD 65).
Travelers who need testing but haven’t notified us in time/registered for special assistance, shall be provided group transport by the Ministry of health to the testing center where Samples shall be taken for from. Results will be released within 4 hours. Such travelers will have to wait from the testing center until results have been released and handed over to respective individuals.
What’s the next step after getting negative results?
Any traveler who tests negative for covid 19, will permitted to proceed with his/her onward journey/safari. Adventure Consults’ guide/s will be on standby to proceed with the trip as per the planned itinerary.
What would be the next step after getting results and are unfortunately positive?
Any traveler who tests positive for covid 19, will be evacuated by the Ministry of Health to a designated covid 19 isolation facility for treatments at own cost.
Any child/children who tests positive for covid 19, will also be evacuated by the Ministry of Health to a designated covid 19 isolation facility with their parents/guardian.
These measures are meant to ensure that there’s no importation of any more variants into the country and limit the spread of the variants. So kindly be corporative and observe the procedures.
The Ministry of health has advised that this information shall where necessary be analyzed and updated periodically depending on the situation.
Adventure Consults urges all travelers, partners, staff and everyone world over to religiously follow the scientifically proven prevention measures and these include among others;
- Consistently and correctly wearing masks while in public.
- Social distancing of at least 2 meters while in public places.
- Avoid crowded places.
- Always wash hands with soap or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Check out Adventure Stories and updates, and We look forward to hosting you in the pearl Of Africa.