Is Entebbe international airport open for international flights? YES, Uganda has reopened Entebbe airport and land borders for tourism after six months of closure in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly corona virus. All flights to and from Entebbe airport were shut since March except for evacuation and repatriation flights and cargo and so were all land borders to Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This has given hope for the re start of Uganda safaris which had been halted. The restriction on travels negatively affected many sectors especially the tours and travel industry, which mainly entails aviation. Fortunately, His Excellency the president of Uganda announced the good news of reopening on 20th September 2020 during this 20th address on covid19 pandemic. Flights are set to start effective 1st October 2020. In this speech, the president announced “The international airport and land borders will now be opened for tourists, coming in and going out, provided they tested negative 72 hours before arrival in Uganda”. However, this will be on condition that tourist and returning Uganda’s will not be mixed. For that case, travelers will be driven straight from Entebbe International Airport to their destinations or to the designated transit hotels. Travelers, who had therefore postponed their trios due to travel restrictions, are hereby called again to get ready, come and explore the Pearl of Africa.
President Museveni giving a national adress
In the same way, Uganda’s citizens returning from abroad and tested negative for covid19 will be allowed to home directly without quarantine as previously. However, the ministry of health will get addresses for all returning citizens for follow up.
Any passenger arriving in Uganda MUST posses a negative Covid19 polymerize chain reaction (PCR) test from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin. In the same address, the president of Uganda lifted the lockdown in all border districts across the country, which had been restricted for close to 3 months. Ugandans are therefore now allowed to travel to all parts of the country without restrictions. However, all people are reminded to practice SOPs to fight the spread of the deadly virus.
Scheduled flights in Uganda
Are you ready to travel? The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority has already cleared 13 flights to and from Entebbe International Airport on 1st October 2020 while more 10 flights have already been confirmed for2nd October 2020. However, it is mandatory for everyone traveling out to have negative covid19 results done within 72 hours before the flight.
Operating Airlines in Uganda
The authorized airlines operating flights to and from Uganda include the Uganda Airlines (National carrier), Brussels Airlines, Kenya Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Fly Dubai, Air Tanzania, KLM, Tarco Aviation, Ethiopian Airlines, RwandaAir, and Qatar Airways. All these airlines are expected to resume flights effective 1st October.
Preventive measures of Cocid19
Even after testing negative for covid19, endeavor to follow the SOPs and apply preventative measures to prevent the risk of catching the virus. The preventative measures for corona virus include:
1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and running water
2. Sanitize with alcohol based hand hub
3. Do not touch the eyes, nose and mouth
4. Keep a distance of at least 4 meters away from each other
5. Mask up your face when in public
6. Stay well when you feel unsafe
However, the best preventative measure of corona virus is to avoid being exposed to the virus.
Top Travel experiences in Uganda
The fact that Uganda is now open for tourism, African Apes Tours & Travel brings you a list of top travel experiences you must do on your new Uganda safari. The post covid19 top Uganda travel experiences include:
• Mountain gorilla trekking
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi
Visiting to see the endangered mountain gorillas in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks is the number one travel experience in Uganda. Over 90% of travelers to Uganda choose to trek gorillas as their top bucket list given the magical feeling that comes with this encounter. The Pearl of Africa is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas, which make it a premier gorilla tour destination. 18 gorilla families hare habituated in Uganda guaranteeing travelers availability of 144 gorilla permits a everyday. The cost of Uganda gorilla safaris is $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African residents. Apparently, the initiation of Rwanda Uganda gorilla trekking has made it easier to do short Uganda gorilla treks including 1-Day Uganda gorilla tour starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. Gorilla tours in Uganda are normally complemented by batwa cultural tours, bird watching and forest walks making the whole experience more enjoyable.
• Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee tracking ranks second to mountain gorillas on Uganda safaris. Visit Kibale Forest National Park, the primate capital of Africa and get chance to spend ample time with the famous chimpanzees in their natural habitats. A chimpanzee tour to Kibale Forest also offers you great chances of seeing other primates such as colubus monkeys, Vervet monkeys, black and white monkeys, red tailed monkeys and many more. Other places to see chimpanzees in Uganda include Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest and Budongo Forest.
• Game viewing
Giraffes in KVNP
Enjoy guided game drives in Uganda’s savannah parks for excellent game views. The best game viewing parks in Uganda are Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. Morning and evening game drives are done giving you chance to interact with various wild animals in the wilderness. Expect to see numerous animals such as elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, giraffes, Zebras, Topis, Waterbucks, Hippos, and Bush pigs among others. Our experiences guides help you spot different animals.
• Mountaineering/Volcano Climbing
Snow capped Mt Rwenzori
Are you an adventurer? Be part of our mountain hiking experiences to the top of the snow capped Mount Rwenzori for a memorable experience. A 10 days Rwenzori hiking safari gives you chance to reach Magherita , the highest peak at the mountain. Other hiking experiences in Uganda include the Virunga Volcanoes (Mt Gahinga, Mount Muhabura and Mt Sabyinyo) in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Also, Mt Elgon offers best mountaineering experiences. Travelers coming for Uganda hiking tours are advised to do physical exercise to ensure fitness.
Other top things to see and do in Uganda include bird watching, city tours, white water rafting, Lion tracking, Boat cruising and community tours among others. A combination of these makes a complete Uganda safari package offering you a memorable experience.
Conclusively, the reopening of Entebbe International Airport and land borders for tourist into and out of Uganda is great news for tourism in the Pearl of Africa. Contact African Apes Tours today, book your Uganda safari and enjoy the postcovid19 Uganda safari experiences at affordable rates.
