COVID-19 Updates
Tanzania and Kenya are ''open’’ again and anxiously waiting to welcome you with a big smile and an elbow bump!
Starting 1st of October, Uganda will open its borders and airlines can relaunch their flights to Entebbe!
Starting 1st of November, Madagascar is open for overseas tourists again!
Read below about the latest COVID updates and practicalities and our no risk payment terms.
East Africa
East Africa has a very young population and low obesity and diabetes rates. It's warm year-round with strong UV radiation. This seems to contribute to much lower infection and death rates in this continent compared to other countries. Also Uganda, Kenya and Madagascar immediately imposed strict lock down measures to prevent a quick spread of the virus, having learned from the Ebola outbreak in the past.
Kenya and Tanzania, destinations where Roadtrip Africa is present, have the Safe Travel Stamp, a certificate from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) acknowledging that it's safe and possible to travel to these countries again.
The Coronavirus in Africa Tracker from the BBC gives an updated overview of all confirmed, active, recovered and death cases of the entire continent and on country level. Access it here.
We encourage you to book and explore this magnificent continent now more than ever. The people need it, wildlife protection is under pressure due to lack of income from tourism, and having such iconic parks as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Masai Mara to yourself is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Moreover, it will be very easy to apply social distancing over-here, when going on a self-drive safari and camping in the bush.
Tanzania
Since the 15th of June, Tanzania has opened its airspace again and travellers from oversees don’t have to go in quarantine. Also the lodges, campsites and national parks are open and Roadtrip Tanzania is back to business. We have received clients from Germany, France, Hungary, US and South Africa and are having more bookings for the upcoming period, for which we are very happy. Roadtrippers who have been, rave about the abundance of wildlife and the privilege of having such iconic parks as the Serengeti and the Crater to themselves.
Do closely monitor which airline companies fly to Kilimanjaro Airport or Dar es Salaam, as this is different from normal and flights are being rescheduled when almost empty. KLM and Qatar are operating flights to Tanzania, as well as Turkish and Ethiopian Airlines.
Practicalities
- When you arrive by plain, you don’t need to show a negative COVID test, but your temperature will be measured.
- If you enter Tanzania overland, crossing the border from Kenya, you do need to show a negative COVID test.
- You are advised to wear a face mask in public places ( supermarkets, government buildings), but it is not mandatory.
Kenya
Since the 1st of August, Kenya has opened its airspace again and travellers from overseas don’t have to go in quarantine. Lodges, campsites and national parks are open and also Roadtrip Kenya is happy to receive Roadtrippers again.
Practicalities
- When you arrive by plain, you need to show a negative COVID test
- If you enter Kenya overland, crossing the border from Tanzania, you also need to show a negative COVID test.
- If you are travelling in a car with a group of friends/ travel mates, the car can only have 50% occupancy ( so 2 adults can sit in a 4 seater), and you have to wear face masks.
- If you are travelling with your household ( partner/ kids), the occupancy rate and face mask rule when driving the vehicle does not apply.
- Wearing a face mask is mandatory when entering public spaces like supermarkets and government buildings. When eating in a restaurant / lodge or sitting on a terrace, this is not needed.
Uganda
Since Corona was starting to spread in Asia and Europe, Uganda immediately went into strict lock down. Borders were closed, airport closed, public gatherings were forbidden, schools closed, there was an evening curfew...As a result, infection rates remained extremely low in Uganda, but sadly the impact of these restrictions are beyond proportionality for the economy and it’s people.
- When you arrive by plain, you need to show a negative COVID test
- If you enter Uganda overland, you do need to show a negative COVID test.
- You are advised to wear a face mask in public places ( such as supermarkets, government buildings).
Madagascar
The island of Nose Be will open for international tourism from the 1st of October.There are no quarantine restrictions for travellers coming from overseas. But tourists are not allowed to get of the island and continue their travels to the mainland of Madagascar. The Tourism Board of Madagascar expects that that the international airport of Ivato on the mainland will open by the 1st of November, but this is not an official announcement yet.
Roadtrip Africa flexible booking and payment terms
To minimise your risk, we have very flexible payment terms. We accept cash payment on arrival and online payments by credit card or bank transfer are only due 1 week before departure date. In the rare situation that you paid, and all of a sudden you are not able to enter your roadtrip destination due to changed COVID regulations, you can reschedule your trip up to one year after your original travel date.
