Gorilla Trek Africa excitedly shares the good news of reopening of Entebbe international airport. YES, after six months of closure, Entebbe international airport and all land borders to Uganda have finally been re opened for international tourists. His Excellency the president of Uganda announced the news of reopening Uganda for international travels on 20th September 2020 during his 20th national address on covid19. Entebbe airport and all land borders to Uganda were closed to international travels in March 2020 when Uganda registered her first positive covid19 positive case. All passenger traffic to and out of Uganda was closed except the evacuation and repatriation flights and cargo. Flights are scheduled to restart on 1st October 2020 as was confirmed by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. 13 scheduled flights have already been confirmed for 1st October while 10 flights are scheduled for 2nd October. In the meantime, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority has asked the government for $40 million to prepare the airport for reopening.
While addressing the nation, President Museveni announced that the “International airport and land borders will now be opened for tourist, coming in and going out provided they tested negative 72 hours before arrival in Uganda”. More so, all passengers arriving in Uganda must possess a negative COVID19 polymerize chain reaction (PCR) test result from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin. Also, measures will be taken to prevent travelers from mixing with local people and returning Ugandans. More so, tourists will be picked from the airport and driven straight to their destinations or the booked hotel. Museveni further lifted the restrictions on border district movements. Among the airlines expected to resume flights include Uganda Airlines, Fly Dubai, Kenya Airways, KLM, Emirates, Tarco Aviation, Turkish Airlines, Rwandaair, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Brussels Airlines among others.
Tourist places open for tourists in Uganda
A silverback gorilla in Bwindi Foerst
All tourism destinations in Uganda are now open and ready to receive tourists. Do you want to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park? Uganda gorilla safaris are now available. Do you want to visit the endangered chimpanzees in Kibale Forest or wish to go game viewing in savannah parks (Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth or Lake Mburo National Parks), Gorilla Trek Africa is at your service. The reopening of land border will ease cross border safaris especially Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking on a 1 Day Uganda gorilla tour starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda
What are the covid19 preventive measures?
Whereas Uganda has fully reopened for tourism, the country is still threatened by the deadly corona virus, which is spreading countrywide like a wild fire. Travelers coming in and out of Uganda are therefore cautioned to be alert and apply Covid19 preventive measures and SOPs as much as possible. These include:
1. Keep a distance of at least four meters away
2. Say at home if possible
3. Wear a mask when in public place or transport means
4. Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth
5. Sanitize regularly with alcohol based hand rub
6. Wash hands regularly with soap and clean running water
Signs and symptoms of Covid19
Travelers are also reminded to keep checking the signs and symptoms of covid19 to ensure safety. These include fever, dry cough, tiredness, aches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, skin rash, difficulty in breathing, chest pain and loss of speech among others.
Gorilla Trek Africa continues to celebrate the reopening of Entebbe international airport and land borders to Uganda. We urge all our clients who had postponed trips to rebook and we travel again. Waiting to host you again!
