An outbreak of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) was declared by the people’s republic of China on 31st December 2019. This outbreak has now spread to all continents and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization(WHO). It is on this basis that as Kagera Safaris we are releasing an update to our clients who had already booked with us and those looking to book with us in the future.
Based on the current trend of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Uganda and government of Rwanda since decided to close borders for 32 days until sometime in mid April 2020, we shall update you when the borders are opened.
Travelers who came into the country a few days before the closure of the borders were expected to do self-quarantine for 14 days on arrival if they did not exhibit signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Later it was agreed that all travelers would get into institutionalized quarantine for 14 days.
Most of you who had tours in the 1st and 2nd quarter of the year contacted us to see the way forward. We informed you that the trips would be canceled and postponed to later dates with no extra charges. However those with trips in the 3rd and 4th quarter of the year – we advised that you wait and we see how this unfolds after which decisions will be made. The gorilla and chimpanzee permits that had been purchased in advance will be rescheduled as the Uganda wildlife authority and Rwanda Development Board guides us.
We fully understand the gravity of an outbreak such as COVID-19 on the world and the effect it has on the travel and tourism industry. We encourage that we remain calm, adhere to the communication on how to deal with the outbreak and remain hopeful that the outbreak will be contained soon. #WashYourHands #StaySafe
