PLANNING A SAFARI TO KENYA AND TANZANIA DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC

You may be one of the many people out there who are wondering how it would be like travelling on a safari to Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda during the Covid 19 pandemic in 2021?

Here, we take you through a guide of what to expect during your safari, and the health and safety measures that the leading tourist destinations in East Africa have put in place to ensure that their guests remain safe during their vacation.

Africa’s wide-open spaces in the Savannah and White Sand Beaches are without doubt some of the best isolation destinations in the world. They offer a fresh and cool breeze inside national parks like Amboseli and Serengeti, and reserves like Masai Mara, away from the crowds, making them the perfect destinations for those who are coming out of lockdowns in Europe, America, the Gulf States and the rest of the world.

It surely hasn’t been an easy time being holed up indoors since the Covid 19 first brought the world to a stand still in 2020.

However, year 2021 offers you a chance to go and explore the world again, and the fact that most people are not yet ready to travel means that there will not be many of you on safari.

This makes year 2021 one of the best to explore East Africa, and to trail the annual wildebeest migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara with less crowds of tourists.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO EAST AFRICA FOR SAFARI?

First thing you will need to know is that just like the rest of the world, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have been affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. Luckily, not many infections or deaths have been recorded in East Africa.  At the moment, the situation seems to have calmed down with only a few daily infections being recorded as of mid-May.

Although different countries may have taken different approach to the pandemic, it is worth mentioning that Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have since 2020 come up with Tourism Health and Safety Protocols which were approved by the Ministries of Health and Tourism in each country. The protocols are being followed by all professional hoteliers and tour operators.

Tour Operators, hotels and lodges staffs were trained on these protocols to ensure that guests and staff remain safe during their interactions. To name but a few, some of the key safety measures include mandatory wearing of face masks by all staff and guests (in public areas for guests), thorough disinfection of hotel rooms, all public areas and safari vehicles after every stay or safari, regular temperature checks, doing away with buffet style meals in restaurants and provision of a dedicated waiter for each group of guests. Each Hotel is also supposed to have a dedicated health, safety and hygiene officer or team to ensure strict adherence to Covid 19 safety protocols at the establishment.

COVID 19 REQUIREMENTS FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELLING TO KENYA

As of 18 May 2021, Kenya had recorded a total of 165, 537 Covid 19 cases, with 3,013 of them succumbing to the Virus. A total of 933, 826 people had also received their first dose of the AstraZeneca Vaccine. This includes health workers, elderly people aged above 50 years, and tourism front line staff.

 All travelers arriving in Kenya must be in possession of a Negative PCR based COVID 19 test conducted within 96 hours before travel and should not display any flu like symptoms on arrival.

Before arriving in Kenya, all travelers must fill the International Travelers Health surveillance form in the link below: https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/

The link below has a list of travelers from countries that are exempted from mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Kenya: https://www.kcaa.or.ke/quarantine-exempted-states

COVID 19 TESTING LABORATORIES IN KENYA

For tourists who have visited Kenya, a Covid 19 test is required before boarding your international flight back home. The following link has a list of approved Covid 19 testing laboratories in Kenya.

https://www.kcaa.or.ke/sites/default/files/docs/covid_19/MOH_approved_testing_labs.pdf

COVID 19 TESTING IN MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Currently, it is possible for you to take a Covid 19 testing during your safari in Masai Mara. Cost for the service is USD 140 per person (minimum 2 pax) and the company will collect the samples at your camp, with results sent to your email within 48 hrs.

Some camps and lodges in Masai Mara and other parks in Kenya are also facilitating for in house Covid 19 testing although it is at a higher cost because of the transport logistics for the testing staff from Nairobi.

When you book a safari with Essenia Safari Experts, we shall advise you during your holiday on the best time and place to take your Covid 19 test before departing Kenya. We shall also facilitate the logistics to ensure that you enjoy your holiday stress free.

COVID 19 REQUIREMENTS FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELLING TO TANZANIA AND ZANZIBAR

Effective 4^th May 2021, all passengers arriving in Tanzania and Zanzibar will be required to present a negative Covid 19 test certificate upon arrival. The sample must be collected within 72 hours before arrival in Tanzania.

Effective 4^th May 2021, all travelers arriving in Tanzania will be subjected to enhanced screening for Covid 19 through a rapid test. The cost for the rapid test upon arrival in Tanzania is USD 25 per traveler.

Due to the current situation of COVID-19 in India, all flights to and from India are banned until further notice.

All travelers 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 in Tanzania at a cost of USD 25 per person per test, followed by stringent contact tracing and 14 days mandatory quarantine at their own cost. The mandatory quarantine location can be selected by the traveler, from the list provided at www.moh.go.tz/en 

All passengers arriving in Tanzania and Zanzibar must truthfully fill a health surveillance form in the link below  https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/  within 24 hours before arrival.

COVID 19 TESTING IN SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

All passengers flying out of Tanzania are required to present a negative Covid 19 certificate before boarding their departure flight. One might therefore wonder if it easy to access Covid 19 testing centers during your holiday safari in Tanzania.

Currently, there is one Covid 19 testing center in Seronera in central Serengeti National Park. If you are staying at a camp or lodge near central Serengeti, it will cost you USD 120 per person to get a Covid 19 test. If you are staying further away, the cost might be higher due to logistical costs. Results are sent to you via email between 48 and 72 hours after sample collection.

We usually assist all guests who are on safari with us with Covid 19 testing logistics and we shall advise you on the best place and time to get the test done during your safari with us.

Besides Serengeti, Covid 19 testing centers while on safari in Tanzania are also available in Arusha city and Karatu town.  In Zanzibar, approved testing laboratories include:

Emergency Operation Centre in Lumumba

Global Hospital in Vuga

North Valley Hospital in Nungwi

Mnazi Mmoja Hospital

The cost of Covid 19 testing in Zanzibar ranges from USD 100 to USD 150 depending on whether the test is taken in a government of private hospital.

We hope that the information above makes it easier for you to make a decision on visiting Kenya and Tanzania to experience the GREAT MIGRATION and other awe-inspiring safari experiences that await you in 2021.

Feel free to contact us in case you need any professional advice from our team of safari experts: holiday@esseniasafaris.co.ke