Cheli & Peacock Safaris COVID-19 Regional Update, FAQs and More

Dear Safari Partners

As our airports open and airplanes take to the sky, we would like to share a few spots of regional travel news. Our Product Manager, Kathleen Leonard, has developed ‘The Cheli & Peacock Safaris Supplier Deposit Guide 2020/21’. The document allows for better financial planning with regard to the paying of deposits in the future, should you like a copy of this document, please contact Kath at Kathleen.Leonard@chelipeacock.com. In addition, Kath has developed ‘The Cheli & Peacock Safaris COVID-19 East Africa Travel FAQs’, in order to answer many of the questions that are being posed during this time. Please find this document attached below.

COVID-19 EAST AFRICA TRAVEL FAQS

In order to plan safaris for your travelers in the future, please take note of the following:

TANZANIA

• International flights officially resumed on 18 May 2020;
• All travelers entering The United Republic of Tanzania will be required to present, upon arrival a valid negative COVID-19 certificate from an approved laboratory, tested within 72 hours before travel;
• There are no self-quarantine requirements for travelers arriving into the country who are not showing any COVID-19 symptoms;
• All arriving passengers will undergo screening and must complete a Health Declaration form to be submitted upon entry;
• All arriving passengers are to wear masks for travel and dispose of them when exiting the airport;
• Sanitizers are placed throughout airports and all airport staff are to be monitored for symptoms of COVID-19;
• Hotels, lodges, and restaurants have reopened, with social distancing measures and increased health and safety measures in place;
• Face masks are to be worn by all people at all times in public places; and
• Social distancing of 1.5 m apart is required at all times.

KENYA

• International flights have resumed as of 1 August 2020;
• All arriving passengers on international flights whose body temperature is NOT above 37.5°C (99.5°F); do not have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing or other flu-like symptoms; have negative PCR based COVID-19 test carried out within 96 hours before travel and are from countries considered low to medium risk COVID-19 transmission areas shall be exempt from quarantine.
• Travelers from the following countries will be exempt from quarantine: Canada, China, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Qatar, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America (except for California, Florida and Texas), Rwanda, South Korea, Switzerland and Zimbabwe;
• The nationwide curfew remains in place between 2100 and 0400, for a period of 30 days from 27 July 2020;
• Travel by road, rail, and air has resumed throughout the country;
• A selection of restaurants have reopened, with social distancing measures in place. Restaurants are permitted to operate until 7pm for a period of 30 days from 27 July 2020 ;
• Face masks are to be worn by all people at all times in public places;
• Vehicles must carry only 50% of their passenger capacity;
• Temperature checks will continue to be conducted in public places; and
• Social distancing of 1.5 m apart is required at all times.

UGANDA

• International flights were banned on 22 March 2020, a reopening date has yet to be announced;
• Local private and public vehicle movement continues to be suspended;
• The nationwide curfew continues between 1900 and 0630;
• Hotels, restaurants, and shops reopened from the 4 June 2020, with social distancing measures in place; and
• Face masks are to be worn by all people over the age of 6 years at all times in public places.

RWANDA

•  International flights have resumed as of 1 August 2020;
• All travellers arriving in Rwanda must be tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure (meaning that you get tested and get results no more than 3 days before your first flight), complete the passenger locator form, and upload the COVID-19 test certificate, please see the passenger locator form link on www.rbc.gov.rw;
• All travellers arriving in Rwanda will be screened upon entry and be given a second test to confirm the negative results of the first test done prior to arrival, and the test is to the cost of the guest, at USD 50 per person per test;
• All travellers are required to complete 24 hours in a designated transit hotel while awaiting the results of the second test, the designated hotels are available at a discounted rate and we recommend accommodation in the following hotels:
  • Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali
  • Kigali Marriott Hotel
  • Kigali Serena Hotel
  • Park Inn by Radisson
• Following 24 hours, guests’ results will be received via SMS or email. In the event of a negative test, guests will be invited to check out and proceed on their Rwanda safari. In the event of a positive test, guests will be transported to a medical facility for medical attention, at their own cost.
• A nationwide curfew is in place between 2100 and 0500; and
• Face masks are to be worn by all people at all times in public places.

The following tables list the collections, properties and airlines that have resumed operations. For more information please contact your designated Safari Planner.

Tanzanian Individual Properties that are now open

Tanzanian Domestic Airlines that are up and running

Auric Air (all routes except Kigali and Entebbe)
Air Excel
Coastal Aviation
Grumeti Air

Kenyan Individual Properties that are now open