Practical Steps to stay on a Safari in Uganda in 2022
Is it safe to travel to Uganda in 2022? How to Stay Safe and Secure on a Safari in Uganda
Is it safe to travel to Uganda in 2022? How to Stay Safe on a Safari in Uganda. Safe Gorilla – Chimpanzee – Wildlife Safaris in Uganda are the norm in Uganda and not the exception.
Your Safety and Well-Being on a Safari is always as we plan and carry out your Safari. For most, a Safari in the Pearl of Africa is the ultimate and exciting adventure.
Without a doubt, the safest place to be in Uganda is on a Safari. Follow the advice of your Driver-Guide. Listen to the Uganda Wildlife Authority on nature walks, hikes, game drives.
Wear clothing that will protect you. Use lots of insect repellent and a good sunscreen to protect you from the rays of the equatorial sun.
Most of all, do not leave your common sense at home. Bring it along on your safari. It will keep you safe and from harm.
We have put together safety and security information to keep you enjoying your time on a Safari in Uganda. Something to think about, “Safe Safaris in Uganda are the norm and not the exception.”
Is it safe to travel to Uganda on a Safari in 2022? – Our Practical Safety-Security Advice & Tips
How to Stay Safe on a Safari in Uganda in 2022
Use a Reliable and Experienced Safari Tour Operator:
Go on a Safari with a local expert, a Bonafide Ugandan Tour Operator that is a member of the Association of Ugandan Tour Operators. For your safety, forget about planning and carrying out your own Safari. Forget about a Self-Drive. For your peace of mind, use a Ugandan Tour Operator such as us. It is the safest way to go on a Safari in the Pearl of Africa.
For your safety and security,, forget about planning your own Safari and forget about a self-drive safari.
You will have your own personal Safari Vehicle with a driver-guide that knows Uganda. His focus is to keep you safe and healthy during your time in Uganda. He will never get lost; he does not need a map or GPS device. He knows Uganda. He lives and works here. Uganda is his home and, in most cases, is proud of his country.
For a successful, safe, and enjoyable, leave the worrying to the tour operator. He will handle all the details of your Safari. The tour operator knows the Park Protocols, including what you need to know about primate tracking.
Abide by the COVID-19 Safari Protocols – it is for your safety:
We live in a Post-COVID World that has changed how we live, work, and even travel have changed. No one could have ever told us that we would a Standard Operating Procedures for Visitors to Uganda, but now we do and live and abide by them. Masks, Sanitizers, handwashing, social distancing have all become part of Safari life.
All parks are open, all activities, including Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking, are taking place with the added COVID-19 Tourist protocols that apply to tour operators, lodges and hotels, rangers activities.
The focus is on keeping you well while on a Safari in Uganda. We know the COVID-19 Protocols well. We meet and exceed the standards that have been set by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.
The way that safaris are being conducted has changed. What has not changed is the Safari Experience.
Stay in Safe and Secure Lodges and Hotels:
Hotels and lodges are very secure, and you will be surprised by the security exhibited by many of them.
Security is integrated into Uganda’s daily life, and we pick safe and secure lodges and hotels both in town and in the National Parks. Lodges either use Private Security Companies or police, military or rangers, Lodges, thanks to solar power, are well lit compared to the past.
You will be surprised that most often, the Security at a hotel or Lodge is armed. Most likely, they have not used their weapons in many years, but it is there for the added protection for guests.
Safety and Security for guests, clients, visitors are on everyone’s mind, and it is never taken lightly; fortunately, there have been no mishaps concerning Security.
In the Post-COVID-19 world of Safaris. Lodges and Hotels adhere to the protocols that have been put into place by the Ministry of Health with the World Health Organization.
We avoid Nighttime Driving on Safari with us:
We avoid driving at night for safety reasons due to higher accident rates due to alcohol consumption and driers that do not have safe nighttime driving skills.
If your flight arrives at night, we take you to a hotel in Entebbe and not in Kampala. We schedule your itinerary in such a way that it does not include nighttime driving.
At rare times, due to flight delays, we have taken clients at night to their destination, such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Gorilla Permits. That is only done at a Client’s request.
The US and UK embassies in Uganda suggest that you do not drive at night except Entebbe to Kampala. We take that one step further and avoid nighttime driving altogether.
We avoid Nighttime Driving for your wellbeing and Safety.
National Park Security:
On every game drive, an armed ranger is with you for your protection. The same is true on every hike or nature walk.
Security in the National Parks is taken seriously. Uganda has even added a Tourism Police for added protection for visitors to the various parks, hotels, and multiple places where tourists flock to.
Your wellbeing is on everyone’s mind, and Security in parks is practiced most diligently in Uganda and Rwanda.
Tourism is a top income earner for Uganda, and no one wants to jeopardize the goose that lays the golden egg.
Community awareness programs take place about the importance of Wildlife and coexistence with them. A portion of the entrance fees is also shared with surrounding communities.
We Follow the Rules in Uganda’s National Park and Preserves:
Parks are under the authority of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and parks are well regulated, and the rules are strictly enforced. Besides the directions that Uganda Wildlife Authority has, we have added some of our own to keep you safe and secure on your Safari in Uganda.
- No movement on foot without an armed Ranger escort-outside of park stay with your driver-guide
- No Driving in parks from 7:30 pm until 6:30 am.
- There is No wandering away from the Lodge. There are wild animals, plus it avoids contacting poachers.
- No Game Drives without an armed ranger on board vehicle
- All activities have at least a copy of the passport in a daypack.
- Boat Safaris, we encourage the use of a life vest.
- On a Family, Safari never let children be unattended.
- Dress for the occasion – gorilla, chimpanzee trek, hike, volcano climb – follow our suggestion. They are for your wellbeing.
- Use a porter whenever available such as for Gorilla Trekking.
- Do not wear Camouflage clothing – it gets you unnecessary attention and is not suggested.
- Sitting on top of vehicles during Game Drives is not allowed for your Safety.
- Nocturnal Game Drives are only conducted with Uganda Wildlife Vehicles except where UWA authorizes a lodge.
Safe Gorilla Trekking in Uganda:
It is simple, do the mathematics. Gorilla Tracking permits are the number one income earner for Uganda’s government when it comes to tourism. The local communities benefit significantly from revenue sharing from the permits and are thriving.
Uganda has committed all resources to create a safe environment for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Gorilla Trekking involves a security detail for every group of tourists out on the Trek. They are armed for your protection against any threat, wild or human. There has not been an instance where that is necessary. The Security, however, remains in place.
If you enter Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga National Park, you will have to be in the Park Rangers company even if you are not gorilla trekking; there is no such thing as a stroll in the park on your own. We are reviewing all activities outside of gorilla parks, such as the Buhoma Village Walk and the Batwa Experience, and adjust itineraries accordingly.
How to avoid being kidnapped while on Safari:
In April 2019, we did have one isolated incident when an American Woman, Kimberly Sue Endicott, along with her driver, was kidnapped (no armed Ranger was in the vehicle) in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth. They were released five days later, and everyone in Uganda and elsewhere rejoiced. The kidnappers were captured, tried, and imprisoned.
Though it was a one-time incident, we have put together some practical steps to avoid being kidnapped while on a Safari anywhere. One thing is for sure since the unfortunate incident in 2019. Security measures have been increased dramatically.
There are some practical steps that you can take to avoid being kidnapped while you are on a Safari, and it begins by going on safari with a reliable Association of Uganda Tour Operator (AUTO) such as we are.
We suggest that you read our “How to avoid being Kidnapped on Safari” page.
Staying Healthy while on Safari:
Safety and Security go together with staying well on a safari. Before you come to Uganda,, you will need your Yellow Fever and COVID-19 Vaccination. A supply of anti-malaria drugs and your regular prescription.
We have never had a client that became ill on Safari with us besides being bitten by an insect here and there,, just like in your country. The only bug that we want to bite you is the safari bug.
Most visitors to Uganda are bitten by the bug and cannot wait to return to Africa’s Pearl.
We have to put together some commonsense health-advice that you will find most helpful as you plan your safari in Uganda.
The last thing you want on the day that you are scheduled to trek gorillas is to have a case of Idi Amin’s revenge
Follow our advice that is based of years of experience guiding clients through the Pearl of Africa on a Safari.
Obtain Travel Insurance:
It is not a Sales pitch for Travel Insurance that would be inappropriate. It is wise and prudent to have Travel insurance. We suggest that 
you obtain it as you book your Safari with dates.
We have had, on several occasions, assist Clients as they filed a claim due to delayed flights that caused havoc with the itinerary.
We have seen the Travel Insurance rarely having to be used, but one case stands out where a woman stumbled and fell, which could have happened anywhere.
The woman sustained a shoulder injury. We oversaw the medical evacuation by plane from the park, examination at one of Uganda’s best hospitals, and her home flight to Australia. We also furnished the Insurance Company with all the information required.
She, with her friend, is returning soon to complete Safari, which came to a halt on Day three. She was thankful that she had taken out Travel Insurance.
We strongly suggest that you obtain COVID-19 coverage.
Is it safe to travel to Uganda on a Safari? – Use Kabiza Wilderness Safaris
Just Safe – Hakuna Matata -no-Worry Safaris in Uganda – We’ve got you covered: The safe outcome of a Safari is more important to us than income. We do not design a safari that is unsafe. We would adjust the Safari if there were dangerous conditions. We know Uganda. We live and work here. You are not dealing with someone in NYC selling African Tours into Uganda.
We are a Ugandan Tour operator, we know the latest weather, the most recent road closure and how to circumvent it, we see the security conditions.’
You do not have to be Indiana Jones to go on a Safari in Uganda, and you will never be in our parks without the Security of armed rangers.
Kabiza Wilderness Safaris is owned and operated by what could say is a seasoned American Africa hand and Ugandan – who I call the Safari Guy – we understand the mindset of a Tourist and their concerns. In 2019 we continue what we started doing over a decade ago create and implement Safe, Hakuna Matata No-Worry Safaris.
