Month: August 2021

Post covid19 travel questions to Uganda and Rwanda and their answers. The tourism industry is currently open and travelers are allowed to move across countries visiting different attractions and doing various activities of their choice. In 2020 when Covid19 was at its peak, most countries locked down and restricted travelers from moving from one country to the other. Each country strived to do all it takes to contain the spread of the virus and there was some relief and a decrease in death rates and new cases. Thereafter, countries started reopening slowly for tourism but with strict restrictions and great emphasis on the Standard Operating procedures. Apparently, most countries are open for incoming travelers. In this article, we are focusing on common questions asked by post covid19 travelers to Uganda, Rwanda, and the whole of Africa. The commonly asked questions for post covid19 gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Africa in general

Is Uganda and Rwanda Open for tourism
YES, travelers can now visit Rwanda and Uganda with no restrictions. Both Entebbe and Kigali International airports are open for travelers. However, land borders between Uganda and Rwanda are still closed meaning that travelers cannot cross over to either country using road transport. You can visit each country separately for now.

Do Vaccinated travelers need testing?
No, travelers who are fully vaccinated for coronavirus are not required to test again upon arrival at Kigali or Entebbe International Airports. Travelers are advised to carry their vaccination certificates and the PCR test results are taken at least 72 hours before arrival at the respective airport. Travelers arriving in Rwanda are required to fill the Public Health Passenger Locator Form giving details about the client for follow-up where need be. The form can be found at www.rbc.gov.rw/travel

What should travelers do before visiting Uganda or Rwanda?
Travelers planning to visit Uganda and Rwanda are advised to first vaccinate for covis9 and do several tests to confirm negative covid19 results. You are also advised to apply for your visas online to save time on the day of arrival. Fortunately, travelers visiting Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya can use a single East Africa Visa which allows them to move freely in these countries without applying again.

Where do I test for covid19 in Uganda and Rwanda?
The respective ministries of health in Uganda and Rwanda have gazetted various hospitals and medical centers where travelers can test for covid19 upon arrival. You can test right at the airport or drive to the nearby recommended hospital as guided by your driver guide from African Apes Holidays.

Will I be allowed to move before my test results are out?
You are not allowed to start off a safari to a national park and other tourism destinations in Uganda and Rwanda before receiving your test results. Travelers are advised to stay at their hotels as they wait for the results.

What if I test positive?
If any traveler tests positive for covid19 upon his/her arrival at Entebbe or Kigali international Airport, he or she will be put in quarantine and taken through treatment at his/her budget. This means that a traveler who tests positive for covid19 will not be allowed to proceed with the safari

What is the cost of a PCR test?
A PCR test costs between $55 and $65 per person depending on which medical Centre you use and the urgency. Travelers are advised to test for covid19 from recommended hospitals and medical centers as advised by the government. This saves you from fraudsters who may give you inaccurate information.

How long does it take for PCR results to come out?
The estimated time for PCR test results to be put is between 1 to 4 hours in Rwanda and Uganda. However, in upcountry areas, results can take longer due to slower laboratory systems. Test results are delivered via email or watsup. Travelers who want hard copies can pick them up from the hospital where they do testing

Do I need a Covid19 Test before departure?
YES, travelers departing from Rwanda and Uganda are mandated to re-test for covid19 to ensure no positive case departs the country. You can test for covid19 a day before your departure

What is the situation at Lodges and hotels?
All hotels and lodges accommodating travelers in Uganda, Rwanda, and other East African countries are encouraged to observe and keep the Standard Operating Procedures to ensure safety. Temperature screening is a mandate at the hotel, hand washing and sanitizing are highly encouraged at all lodges.

Are gorillas and chimpanzees open for trekking?
YES, travelers to Uganda and Rwanda are allowed to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Mgahinga gorilla and Volcanoes National parks. However, travelers going for gorilla trekking MUST wear face masks, sanitize, wash hands, must be negative for covid19, and keep a 10 meters’ distance away from the endangered gorillas. Rwanda is still offering discounted gorilla permits to foreign residents at $500 a huge discount from the initial $1500 and $200 for East African citizens. These discounted rates are valid till 2022. Also, visit and trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest Uganda and Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda with African Apes Tours & Travel. Gorilla permit bookings in Uganda and Rwanda are recommended at least 6 months prior to the trekking date.

Are porters are allowed?
Apparently, porters are not allowed in gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experiences. This is to limit the number of people in a group so as to ensure social distancing. Travelers are therefore advised to carry light baggage that does not need a porter. However, if it’s a special case, a porter can be allowed.

Are travelers affected by a curfew in Uganda and Rwanda?
NP, whereas other people are subjected to curfew beyond 7:00 pm, travelers are not affected. Driver guides who have pickups and drop-offs are not stopped by traffic regardless of the time. Travelers can therefore be picked and dropped at their hotels and the airport any time of the day and night. However, night activities such as nightlife in bars and game viewing in National Parks are currently restricted.
Conclusively, traveling to Uganda and Rwanda is currently not restricted. For any travel advice and bookings, contact us at African Apes Tours.

Can mountain gorillas get covid19? YES, mountain gorillas can contract the deadly covid19! Most people planning to travel for gorilla safaris in Africa ask whether mountain gorillas can get covid19. YES, the endangered mountain gorillas can easily contract the deadly coronavirus if precautions are not followed. For that case, all travelers coming for gorilla trekking MUST test negative for covid19 before they are permitted to visit the endangered gorillas. Upon arrival at the airport, travelers are asked to present the negative covid19 test results taken 72 hours before arrival. Mountain gorillas share over 99% of human genes which make them man’s close relatives. The close relativeness of mountain gorillas and people makes the endangered species susceptible to human diseases especially communicable diseases inclusive of covid19. Even after testing negative for covid19, travelers are encouraged to observe the Starboard Operating procedures, before and after meeting the endangered gorillas to avoid any risk of spreading the virus.

Can Selfie Taking transmit covid19 to gorillas?
Travelers are cautioned against taking selfies with mountain gorillas to avoid the spread of the virus. Some travelers have been seen taking pictures with the endangered mountain gorillas in the jungle. It’s undeniable that gorilla trekking is the best wildlife experience in the world which attracts the highest number of travelers to Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo which shelter the endangered gorillas. The fact that travelers only leave the jungle with only pictures and memories from the gorilla trekking experience, taking a selfie in the company of gorillas has been a target and wish for most travelers visiting to see gorillas. YES, we have seen lots of pictures for travelers who have taken selfie photos with gorillas. However, selfie-taking with gorillas exposes a high risk of contracting the deadly coronavirus to the endangered gorillas. It’s evident that most travelers taking selfies with the gorillas do not keep the seven to ten meters’ distance away from the endangered gorillas as advised by conservationists and gorilla park management. Therefore, selfie-taking with gorillas exposes high risks of spreading covid19 from travelers to mountain gorillas. Selfie-taking with gorillas is therefore highly discouraged in all post covid19 gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga, Volcanoes, and Virunga National Park.

Guidelines for post covid19 gorilla trekking tours
The fact that gorilla trekking is open yet covid19 still roaming in gorilla safari destinations, conservationists and gorilla doctors have drafted the list of post covid19 gorilla trekking guidelines to ensure the safety of both travelers and the endangered gorillas in the jungle. The rules of gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo amidst covid19 include among others:
1. All travelers visiting gorillas MUST test negative for covid19. Upon arrival at the entry points (Kigali and Entebbe) international airports, travelers are undertaken through a PCR test to confirm they are free from the virus.
2. Travelers visiting gorillas are advised to have been vaccinated against covid9 before arriving in gorilla destinations
3. Mandatory face making for everyone visiting the gorillas
4. Mandatory hand washing at the start and during the hike to see gorillas. Different hand washing points have been put in gorilla parks to enable travelers to wash hands to avoid the risks of contracting and spreading the deadly virus
5. Sanitizing with alcohol-based content is highly recommended by all people visiting gorillas
6. Keep a distance of 10 meters away from the gorillas. This is to avoid close contact with the gorillas which can lead to the spread of the virus
7. Travelers any symptoms of covid19 such the high temperatures, flu, and cough are not allowed to trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Discounted gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda
Enjoy discounted mountain gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda on your postcovid19 gorilla tours in Africa. As a welcome back from travel restrictions, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Rwanda is offering discounted gorilla permits to first come travelers visiting trek gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda respectively. Apparently, a single gorilla permit in Uganda costs $400 for foreign nonresidents, $300 for foreign residents, and UGX 100,000 for Ugandans and East African citizens. This far cheaper compared to the initial $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. More so, Rwanda Development Board is offering discounted permits at $500 for foreign residents and $200 for Rwanda and East African citizens. However, foreign nonresidents to Rwanda still pay $1500 for each gorilla permit which makes it a luxury gorilla safari destination in Africa. In addition to cheap gorilla permits, Uganda Wildlife Authority is offering 50% discount on entrance fees to all national parks in Uganda

How and when to book gorilla permits?
Gorilla trekking permit booking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is recommended as early as possible to avoid disappointments. The advised time for booking gorilla permits is roughly 6 months before the trekking date. Regarding how to book, African Apes Holidays is your trusted gorilla safari company in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Contact us, inform us about your travel date and we shall have the rest done for you. We book and pick your gorilla permits and also design for you a tailor-made itinerary to suit your travel budget and time.

Which other animals are at risk of contracting Covid19?
Besides mountain gorillas, there are other primates that stand high chances of contracting the deadly covid19 if travelers do not follow the Standard Operating Procedures. These include chimpanzees who live in Kibale Forest Uganda and Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda. Like gorillas, chimpanzees are man’s close relatives which share over 99% of human genes. Orangutans also are at risk of getting covid19.
Conclusively, therefore, mountain gorillas can easily contract the deadly covid19 from travelers. All people visiting the endangered gorillas are advised to follow the Standard Operating Procedures, avoid taking selfies with the gorillas, and follow all post covid19 gorilla trekking guidelines.