Greetings from the team at Essenia Safari Experts Ltd.
We hope that you are all safe and doing your best to survive through the adverse effects of the Covid- 19 pandemic on tourism and our day to day lives.
We are hopeful that the storm will be over soon, and that tourism will soon be back on its feet and running smoothly again.
The aim of this publication is to give you a factual report on resumption of tourism services in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda which are our core destinations.
KENYA:
As of today, 7th September, Kenya has recorded a total of 35,013 cases of Covid 19 within the country and a total of 597 deaths.
This is since the first case of the virus was reported on 13th March 2020. Most of the cases (about 85%) have been asymptomatic (not showing any symptoms of being sick) and have therefore been recovering from home. We have also noticed a reduction of daily new infections in September compared to July when we recorded the highest infections per day). We recorded 83 new cases on 6th September, compared 960 new infections reported on July 26th.
The whole country has been on a night curfew from April until now (currently on force between 2100 hrs and 0400 hrs). The cessation of movement outside the two major cities of Nairobi and Mombasa was lifted on 7th July 2020. Since then, thousands of Kenyans have been touring various parts of the country, especially Nairobi National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve where the annual wildebeest migration is currently taking place, besides the usual amazing sightings of the BIG CATS and other wildlife.
On 1st August 2020, the Kenyan government reopened our international airports for international airlines. Tourists arriving from a list of 130 countries are allowed into Kenya without a requirement for a 14 days quarantine. https://www.kcaa.or.ke/sites/default/files/docs/covid_19/exempted_states.pdf . This list is being updated regularly after consultation with the ministry of health.
Passengers are however supposed to present a negative Covid 19 PCR test certificate issued at least 96 hours before arrival and must not display any symptoms upon landing at the airport.
In July 2020, the ministry of tourism introduced post Covid 19 health and safety protocols to be implemented by hotels and tour operators. This was to ensure that both guests and staff can enjoy their safaris and holidays within Kenyan without risk of contracting the virus. This was followed by the endorsement of Magical Kenya as a SAFE TOURIST DESTINATION by the World Travel and Tourism Council.
We as Essenia Safari Experts have already implemented the protocols in our offices and safari vehicles, and are only working with lodges and camps that have been certified as post Covid 19 compliant.
Since August, we have welcomed a few international tourists who have benefited from the strict safety policies that we have in place. You can therefore start marketing Kenya with confidence that your guests will enjoy the highest safety levels.
We have very special rates for non-residents for travel between September and 20th December 2020 and are welcoming enquiries and bookings for year 2021.
TANZANIA:
Tanzania last recorded its corona virus cases on 29th April 2020 when there were 509 total cases reported. Since then, the government went ahead reopened the Dar Es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International Airports on 18th May 2020. In early June, the president declared Tanzania as “Corona Virus free after days of nationwide prayers”. Since then, all citizens have gone back to their normal lives and our colleagues and staff in our Arusha office report that they don’t see any evidence of the Corona Virus. After thorough training of staff, the ministry of tourism in Tanzania introduced post Covid 19 health and safety protocols which are being implemented by all tour operator and hoteliers. This was later followed by the endorsement of Tanzania as SAFE TOURIST DESTINATION by the World Travel and Tourism Council in July 2020.
Tanzania has since then being welcoming tourists and travel agents back to the parks, and all have confirmed that they indeed felt safe during their safari to Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and other parks. All nationalities are welcome to enter Tanzania, and a presentation of a Covid 19 negative certificate is NOT MANDATORY on arrival. All tourists are being allowed express arrival as long as their temperatures are below 37.5 degrees and they do not display any visible symptoms.
We have very special accommodation rates for Tanzania valid from September to 20th December 2020. Please contact us for special packages / details
UGANDA:
As of 6th September 2020, Uganda had recorded 3,667 Covid 19 cases and 41 deaths. After 4 months of lockdown, Uganda has begun a soft reopening of the country. This began with the locals being allowed to visit Savannah National Parks like Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo, while primate parks like Bwindi and Kibale Forest remained closed for fear of humans spreading the virus to the endangered Gorillas and Chimpanzees.
On 3rd September 2020, The Uganda Wildlife Authority reopened all wildlife and primate parks for tourism. This was after implementing measures and guidelines that will ensure that both tourists and wildlife are safe.
In the last few weeks, Uganda has been implementing its health and safety protocols and training staff as they prepare to welcome international tourists back. Gorilla tracking and Chimpanzee trekking safaris have now resumed.
We have been made aware that the Entebbe International Airport will reopen on 1st October 2020. We shall keep you updated an all developments and requirements to enter Uganda.
With the information above, we hope that you can now plan your safari to visit East Africa with confidence and peace of mind, knowing that you are going to be in safe hands.
We are taking new bookings for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda both short term (September to December) and long term (year 2021) travel.
WILDEBEEST MIGRATION: The wildebeest migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara is currently at its peak with millions of Gnus congregated both in Masai Mara and northern Serengeti where epic River Crossings are being witnessed. There are very few travellers to experience this spectacle and we have incredible rates on offer. Please contact us for details.
You can rest assured that we will offer the best deals, and our usual quality and personalized services.
We thank you for your choice of Essenia Safari Experts Ltd as your preferred partner and ONE STOP SOURCE for expertly crafted and competitively priced safari holidays in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
You are welcome to visit our website: www.esseniasafaris.com and FACE BOOK Page: https://www.facebook.com/Esseniasafaris for more information and regular updates.
