Travel Tips

Here are some basics to have when packing for your trip to East Africa:

• Tanzania/Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda maps – city/town maps and travel guides
• Notebook, tablet or Smartphone
• Binoculars
• Travel documents – passport, visa, others
• Vaccination Certificates
• Insurance Documents
• Brimmed hat
• Camera
• Comfortable, lightweight, and casual clothes (if you are on a safari, neutral is best, bright and bold is not).
• Comfortable and strong shoes or boots
• Sunscreen
• Formal / Occasional wear (depending on your reason for travel)
• Prescription medication
• Sunglasses (and a spare pair)
• Swiss Army Knife (for exploration)
• Flashlight (for exploration)
• Video camera and accessories
• Credit / Debit cards
• Sandals or flip-flops

Is it safe to travel to East Africa Countries amidst the global covid-19 pandemic?

Our answer is YES. East Africa Countries has been listed among the 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 East Africa Countries as a viable holiday safari destination subject to the implementation of the health and safety protocols.

Pre-Departure:

• All travellers must take a valid PCR test conducted within 96hrs before travel. – Once received, all travellers must immediately register for a Trusted Travel Code (TT Code) prior to arriving in Kenya.
• All travellers (incl. those in transit) must complete the Travellers Health Surveillance Form. And thereafter submit daily health information for 14 consecutive days.
• On initial submission of the Travellers Health Surveillance Form, travellers will receive a QR code to be presented to Officials on arrival.
• Children under 5 years are exempted from taking a PCR COVID-19 test to enter Kenya.
• All travellers must obtain their visa in advance, online via: evisa.go.ke.
• *If arriving from a country that requires quarantine, this must be provided 24hrs before boarding.

On Arrival:

• Presentation of COVID-19 PCR -ve certificate, TT code & QR code. Failure to provide this will result in 14 days quarantine in government facilities (at own cost).
• Travellers screened on arrival & required to quarantine for 14 days if displaying symptoms of COVID-19.
• Passengers whose certificates expire whilst in transit need to leave their passport with the Port of Health Authorities & arrange testing in a recognized facility (at own cost).

On Departure:

PCR tests are not required unless specified by the airline/the country you are travelling to.

For those that do need a COVID-19 test pre boarding, this must also be digitally verified and a TT code obtained.

Pre-Departure:

• All travellers (including children) are required to complete a Travellers Surveillance Form, to be submitted within 24 hrs. before arrival. Upon submission you will receive a Unique Health Code which will be requested during primary screening. – All travellers required to take a PCR test taken 72 hrs. before arrival into Tanzania.

Arrival & Departure:

• Airports:All travellers to complete a health form & will be screened for COVID-19, including a Rapid Antigen Test at a cost of US$10 per test (must be paid in cash & exact amount).
• Land Borders:All travellers to complete a health form & will be screened for COVID-19, including a rapid test, free of charge.
• All travellers arriving from India, or those who have travelled through India in the last 14 days regardless of the route taken, shall be subjected to a Rapid Test upon arrival (US$10 per test) followed by stringent contact tracing & 14 days mandatory quarantine at their own cost. The mandatory quarantine location can be selected by the traveller, from the list provided in next tab.

Pre-Departure:

• All Travellers are required to have a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72hrs of travel. The 72hrs begins on the day the sample is collected for testing.
• Children are exempt when accompanying parents with -ve test certificate(s). – Covid certificates MUST indicate TRAVEL as the intended purpose of test.
• We advise all travellers to complete the Test & Fly document before travel, ordering your PCR test at Entebbe International Airport in advance.

On Arrival:

• Presentation of COVID-19 -ve certificate as outlined.
• Temperature and health screening.
• All travellers (including children), irrespective of vaccination status or country of origin are required to undergo a PCR test at their own cost ($65pp) at all Points of Entry. Those testing negative can continue their journey as per usual. Those testing positive will be taken to a designated isolation facility. Children under 18yrs testing positive will be allowed to undergo home quarantine. Results usually take 3-4 hours.

On Departure:

All travellers must have a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72hrs of travel (72hrs begins on the day the sample is collected for testing).

Pre-Departure:

• Arriving passengers must present a -ve PCR taken within 72 hrs prior to first departure. This is not mandatory for children under 5years old.
• All Travellers must complete a Passenger Locator Form before arrival into Rwanda. On completion of the form, you will be provided with a Unique Health Code (UHC) which you must present on arrival.
• Note: this can only be submitted within 72 hrs. before your departure.

On Arrival:

• Travellers from India and Uganda are required to quarantine for 7 days at a designated hotel at their own cost.
• COVID-19 PCR -ve certificate as outlined and your UHC form. – All travellers will need to complete a short health questionnaire.
• All arrivals will be tested for COVID-19 then taken to a designated hotel for 24 hrs, awaiting results (US$60 per test).
• Note:Tourists are required to take a PCR test 72 hrs prior to visiting a National Park (except from Akagera). Tourists visiting Akagera & other tourist destinations are required to take a rapid antigen test, available at numerous walk-in clinics in Kigali for RWF 10,000.
• Tourists without a -ve test result will not be admitted to the National Parks. Refer to your DMC / hotel for further information on test centres available.

On Departure:

• All travellers departing Rwanda must test -ve for COVID-19 (PCR only) performed within 72 hrs. before departure. Allow 48hrs for results from when the sample is collected. Children under 5yrs are exempt.

Some countries also require arriving visitors from East Africa Countries or elsewhere in Africa to have a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. Some of them include China, Bahrain, Australia. It is also advisable to try and protect yourself from mosquito bites which can lead to malaria. Preventive measures include: using repellent and wearing suitable cover-up clothes in the evening.

Drink bottled water, not tap water. There is a variety of bottled water you can buy in shops and restaurants

Before taking pictures of the local people, ask permission and agree on the price. The driver-guide will assist you.

Don’t get out of the vehicle unless the driver says it is ok. In many parks, moving on foot is not only risky but also means breaking the park rules. There are special places, such as observation points and picnic sites, where it is allowed to get out.

Watch your money. Make sure that, when exchanging currency, you do so in a reputable hotel, foreign exchange bureau or bank. Take care of your valuables too by locking them up in the hotel safe. Carry only small amounts of cash and avoid wearing expensive jewellery when walking in towns, villages.

Be vigilant when venturing out at night and when in public places. In case of robbery, report the incident at the nearest police station. East Africa Countries have a Tourist Safety and Communication Center that is always on call. They offer a 24hr tourist helpline where you can seek assistance if needed.

The Tourist Safety and Communication Center is available to help with updates, travel advisories, road conditions, health issues, and security. Please contact them if you have any trouble during your visit to East Africa Countries.

Meeting animals on foot is part of the walking safari concept. Most animals move away when they become aware of you, which usually happen at some distance (you generally get closer to animals if you approach them by car). Walking safaris in wildlife areas should always be escorted by an armed ranger. If on foot close to lakes or rivers where crocodiles may be found, you should stay at least 5 m/yd away from the water’s edge. Crocodiles have good camouflage, and may be hiding in the water to ambush prey approaching on land.

On most safaris in East Africa, you watch the animals from a jeep or minivan, which is safe. You may meet animals, mainly such as monkeys and mongoose, on foot in lodges or tented camps. These animals are rarely dangerous, but they are wild, so keep your distance to them. Even if they behave as where they tame, they may use teeth and claws if feeling threatened. Also keep unattended doors and windows to your room closed, to prevent monkeys and ground squirrels from entering searching for food. Never venture outside the lodge or camp area. If you move within the lodge / Camp area at night, for example to see if you can spot some nocturnal animals, you may consult with the lodge / camp to escort you. Wild animals from the surrounding bush may enter the area at night, when the lodge / Camp is quiet. Elephants, buffalos, hippos, lions and leopards may roam at night in lodges and camps.