Covid 19 – Travel Advisory

EXPERIENCE AFRICA SAFELY

With the continued impact of COVID-19 on global travel, Wild Den Safaris remains focused on the safety of our guests, both current and future. The present situation in Africa is that most destinations are open, albeit with some inbound restrictions. and develop guidelines on how to live with COVID-19 have picked momentum.

Is it safe to travel to Kenya amidst the global covid-19 pandemic?

Yes it is. Kenya has been listed among the 80 global destinations certified and authorized to use the “World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) “Safe Travel Stamp” after the destination’s adopted the global COVID-19 health and hygiene standardized protocols.

This stamp allows for the recognition of Kenya as a viable holiday safari destination subject to the implementation of the health and safety protocols.

KENYA COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

What are the Arrival and Departure Protocols?

Arriving Passengers

  1. International travelers who are fully vaccinated now no longer need to have a negative PCR to enter.
  2.  Unvaccinated travelers must have a negative COVID 19 PCR test conducted not less than 72hours before departure regardless of the point of entry. Those below the age of 5 years are exempt from this requirement.
  3. Unvaccinated travelers arriving at any point of entry shall be subjected to a rapid antigen test on arrival (at their cost $30) and if positive must pay for PCR at their cost ($50) and must self isolate
  4. All international airline passengers flying into Kenya are required to complete an online Health Information form which needs to be submitted after check-in and prior to arrival (form available on this link: https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/).
  5. All travelers arriving at any point of entry into Kenya will be required to fill in the passenger locator form on the ‘jitenge’ platform.
  6. Important Note:  Effective December 21st – There will be no paper verification of COVID-19 test results and vaccination certificates upon arrival into Kenya. Airlines should ensure that all travelers have uploaded both documents into global haven before boarding via www.globalhaven.org
  7. Mandatory wearing of face masks in public places is no longer a requirement

Guests should complete and submit the online Health Information form once they have checked in and have their seat number prior to boarding and they should receive a confirmation QR code by email once submitted. In addition to submitting the forms electronically, it is recommended that they also print out a copy of the form in advance and fill it in by hand before landing, to speed up the clearing process at JKIA as port health officials may require this form before screening.

Departing Passengers

  1. Passengers travelling out of Kenya will be required to abide by the particular travel, health and COVID-19 related requirements of the destination country.
  2. Pre-departure testing may be considered at the discretion of any of the airlines departing from or terminating in Kenya.
  3. All travelers to countries requiring antigen testing hours before travel will be required to undertake pre-travel rapid antigen test at the MOH Port Health facility at the airport and the results uploaded to the Trusted Travel platform.
  4. If the destination or airline does not require passengers to have a COVID-19 certificate, then they do not need to have the test done.
    (for instance; From Friday, January 7th 2022  fully vaccinated travelers going to England do not have to take a test before they travel).
  5. If a COVID-19 RT PCR is required by the destination or airline, we can assist our guests to have the test done at a Government approved private lab, get the certificate together with the Trusted Travel (TT) code which can then be verified by airlines and Port Health Authorities.
  6. Passengers travelling to Amsterdam are now required to take a Mandatory COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test 4 hours before departure. This can be done at JKIA with results available in 30 minutes, passengers to be at the clinic 5 hours before departure time.

The Kenya Airports Authority has advised that 72 hours before TRAVEL means before the time of departure on a flight to Kenya. However it appears that some airlines are insisting that it means 72 hours before ARRIVAL in Kenya, so we recommend that you check with your airline in advance of having the test, to clarify exactly what their boarding requirements are so that you can ensure that you comply.

TANZANIA COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

What are the Arrival and Departure Protocols?

Arriving Passengers

All travelers including Tanzanians, returning residents and members of the crew1 /layovers are required to truthfully fill in an online Traveler’s Health Surveillance Form available at https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/ for Tanzania mainland.

Travelers entering URT including Tanzanians, returning residents and those in transit through land borders who are;

  1. Fully vaccinated, will be exempted from both RT PCR and Rapid Antigen Test  requirements. Travelers will be required to present a valid vaccination certificate with QR code for verification upon arrival. The only accepted vaccines are those which have been approved by the URT and the World Health Organization.
  2. Not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated and those not eligible for vaccination due to their country policy will be required to present a negative COVID-19 RT- PCR or NAATs certificate with QR code obtained within 72 hours before departure.
  3. If travelers originate from countries listed at www.moh.go.tz or Points of Entry will be tested for COVID 19 upon arrival using a Rapid Antigen Test at their own cost of 10 USD (TZS 23,000) for Tanzania Mainland. If found positive they will be tested with RT- PCR for confirmation, allowed to self-isolate and the results will be sent via email or any other means.
  4. Not fully vaccinated/unvaccinated and have no negative COVID 19 RT- PCR certificate will be dealt as follows;
  5. Children aged 5 years and below will be exempted from both RT PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests requirements.

Departing Passengers

  1. All departing passengers will be subjected to enhanced screening for COVID¬19 infection.
  2. For departing passengers whose destination or airline requires them to have a COVID-19 negative certificate, we can assist to have the test done in the Government approved hospitals.
  3. All departing travelers are advised to seek information prior to departure from the travel agent regarding COVID 19 requirements of their country of destination or conveyance to be used. However, the following requirement applies to specific destinations as follows;
    1. a) Travelers to Dubai Airport or transit through Dubai Airport are required to possess a valid RT – PCR obtained within 48 hours from the time of collecting the sample and Rapid PCR (NAAT) performed within six (6) hours of departure.
    2. b) Travelers to the Republic of India, Republic of Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and part of Europe are required in addition to a valid RT – PCR certificate specified by the country of their destination to perform a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test prior to departure.
    3. c) Passengers travelling to Amsterdam are now required to take a Mandatory COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test 4 hours before departure. Rapid test facilities are available at both Kilimanjaro and Dar Es Salaam airports at testing centers by the Ministry of Health. Once at the center, clients are required to make payment in cash, take the test and get results in between 30 minutes to 1 hour. No appointment is necessary.

What are the Quarantine Protocols?

  1. Arriving/Transiting Passengers
    If found positive, the passenger is taken to a dedicated hospital for 14 days quarantine and treatment at own cost. Another test will be conducted at the end of this period, at own cost. If specialized medical care is required, evacuation to Nairobi can be organized. Passengers need to have comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover this.
  2. Departing Passengers
    Passengers whose test positive are taken by Health officials to designated hospitals for 14 days of quarantine and treatment at own cost. Another test will be conducted at the end of this period, at own cost. If specialized medical care is required, evacuation to Nairobi can be organized. Passengers need to have comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover this.

UGANDA COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

What are the Arrival and Departure Protocols?

Arriving Passengers:

The Government of Uganda has suspended Mandatory testing on arrival at Entebbe from 16th Feb 2022 however the requirement for Covid Testing 72 hours before boarding for both incoming and exiting travellers remain in place
All travelers whose body temperature is NOT above 37.5°C (99.5°F), do not have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing or other flu-like symptoms; have negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test certificate carried out within 72 hours from the time of sample collection shall be allowed to enter or depart Uganda categorization.
Travelers without a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate undertaken within 72 hours from the time of sample collection will not be allowed into Uganda.
Travelers who have had COVID-19 vaccination and hold a certificate must still present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate taken within 72 hours from the time of sample collection to boarding aircraft.
A travelling child 3yrs and below accompanied by a parent holding a PCR negative certificate will be exempted from a negative Covid – 19 PCR test certificate

Departing Passengers:
All passenger travelling out of the country will be required to have a negative Covid 19 PCR test certificate within 72 hours from the time of sample collection. They will abide by the travel & health (including COVID-19) related requirements of the destination country
Passengers departing from Entebbe airport to Dubai/UAE must also present a Rapid PCR test report with a QR code for a test conducted at the departure airport within six hours of departure.
Passengers travelling to Amsterdam are now required to take a Mandatory COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test 4 hours before departure. This test can be taken at the Kazuri Medical and Testxpress Laboratories, located 10 minutes from Entebbe International Airport. No appointment required.

What are the Quarantine Protocols?

Arriving/Transiting Passengers:
If a COVID test is deemed necessary by the port officials then it is administered at own cost. Test results are available 24-48 hours and if found positive, are transferred to designated hospitals for 14 days of quarantine and treatment at own cost. Another test will be conducted at the end of this period, at own cost.

Departing Passengers:
Passengers who test positive are taken by Health officials to designated hospitals for quarantine and treatment at own cost. Another test will be conducted at the end of this period, at own cost. Bwindi Community hospital is now authorized to carry out PCR COVID19 tests at a fee of US$ 40 per person and results are received after 4hours. This implies that clients flying or driving from Bwindi to Entebbe can now have their PCR exit tests done from Bwindi a day prior to their checkout. Other COVID 19 travel requirements imposed by specific airlines do apply but for Entebbe airport departure COVID 19 test requirements are met by the above test.

RWANDA COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

What are the Arrival and Departure Protocols?

Arriving Passengers:  Passengers boarding flights to Kigali must present a negative Covid-19 test (rapid or PCR) taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.  Children under five (5) years of age do not require a test. The Passenger Locator Form is no longer a requirement before departure. An additional Covid test is no longer required upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. Certain meeting venues and national parks require Covid tests. Testing is available at health facilities and other designated sites for 5,000 RWF (or US$5) for rapid antigen tests, and 50,000 RWF (or US$50) for PCR tests (required to access Virunga National Park). Rwandan citizens pay a subsidized cost for PCR tests of 30,000 RWF (or US$30).

Departing Passengers: A Covid test is no longer a requirement to depart Rwanda by air. However, Covid testing (at own cost) is available for all travellers whose final destination requires one at health centres and other designated sites. All Rwandan travellers aged 12 years and above must show proof of full vaccination before departing Rwanda by air.

What are the Quarantine Protocols?

Arriving Passengers: Arriving passengers who test positive are picked from their designated transit hotel by a special team from the Rwanda Biomedical Center and taken to a specialized clinic where they will stay for 14 days at own cost. Another test will be conducted at the end of this period, at own cost.

Departing passengers: Departing passengers who test positive are picked by a special team from the Rwanda Biomedical Center and taken to a specialized clinic where they will stay for 14 days at own cost. Another test will be conducted at the end of this period, at own cost.

Transiting Passengers: Transiting passengers who test positive are picked by a special team from the Rwanda Biomedical Center and taken to a specialized clinic where they will stay for 14 days at own cost. Another test will be conducted at the end of this period at own cost.

WILD DEN SAFARIS COVID-19 HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS:

We have adopted tourism and hospitality protocols on health and safety to mitigate the effects of the disruptions caused by the coronavirus disease and have taken the responsibility of ensuring that destination Kenya is safe for tourism business.

Protocols for airport transfers, excursions & safari operations:

  1. We ensure that all our safari transfer vehicles are properly cleaned and sanitized during and after each trip/ transfer.
  2. We will provide packed lunches for long drive to avoid unnecessary stop-overs.
  3. We shall ensure drivers and guides use suitable communication gadgets for vehicles carrying more than 7 passengers to communicate with guest to avoid turning or shouting to enable them to be heard by guests.
  4. We will maintain a register of clients transported or who have interacted with the tour guides.
  5. We shall ensure our safari/ transfer vehicles are sanitized before the start of each trip and this will include cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces (handrails, door handles, seats etc.) at regular times in the course of trip.
  6. Particular attention shall be given to luggage disinfection before and after handling.
  7. We shall encourage open windows when weather permits, to allow air circulation in all our safari and transfer vehicles.
  8. We will limit the number of staff accompanying guests in every trip – only one driver guide per vehicle.
  9. We shall ensure information provided (like tourist map) is stuck on the back of the chairs of the vehicle to minimize contact.
  10. Only the driver guide will be permitted to open doors for the clients to minimize touching contaminated surfaces where applicable. The driver shall sanitize the doors before and after opening/closing.
  11. We will endeavor to educate office staff, driver guides and customers about their shared responsibility to help protect each other in a Covid-19 environment.
  12. We will educate and encourage our guests to minimize /avoid paying using cash at restaurants, curio shops etc. Online, Mobile payment or credit/debit cards encouraged.
  13. Disposable approved & quality facemasks and sanitizers shall be made available in the vehicle for use at all times.
  14. Our drivers shall not be allowed to make stopover at any other place apart from the prearranged designated point or areas.
  15. All our vehicles shall carry a capacity that ensures social distancing between guests travelling together. Land cruisers and similar vehicles the carrying capacity shall not exceed 7 passengers.
  16. Wild Den Safaris will choose partners that are confirmed to comply with existing Government directives for the safe handling of their guests. This includes but is not limited to hotels, airlines, boats etc.
  17. Binoculars and cameras shall not to be shared and shall be sanitized regularly.
  18. Families, tour groups and couples shall be allocated to a specific vehicle and a guide for the duration of their stay to minimize exposure to other guests and guides.

Ready to Start Planning Your Dream Safari?

We are feeling the positive momentum here in Africa and look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful continent. We believe Africa is one of the safer destinations, both in terms of COVID-19 protocols adhered to at our personally vetted hotels and lodges.

We are committed to creating once-in-a-lifetime trips while supporting conservation, communities and sustainability in Africa, now more than ever. Africa is ready for you, get in touch with one of our Safari Experts to help tailor-make a trip that’s right for you.