Is Kenya safe as a travel destination for safaris?

Yes, we believe Kenya is safe to visit for your safari trip. Don’t just take our word for it, though. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has certified Kenya as one of 80 travel destinations with a “Safe Travel Stamp”. This means that the hygiene and safety protocols in place in the country have been viewed as safe and effective.

Kenya is recognised as a viable wildlife safari destination. As long as the current health protocols are followed, and here on the ground we can see they are, then your Kenyan safari will still be a success.

How do safety procedures work when of Kenyan safari?

We understand you might be rather anxious about coming to Africa for safari at the moment. Here at Rustic Safaris, we know exactly what airports and hotels are doing to make your stay safe whilst on safari here in Kenya.

All of our safari vehicles are owned by us directly. We take responsibility for full cleaning and sanitisation of our wildlife safari vehicles during and after every trip. We will clean and sanitize:

  • Handrails
  • Door handles
  • Seats
  • All other contact points

Before your trip and regularly during your Kenyan safari. In efforts to reduce contact points, the information you need, like park maps, will be stuck on the back of seats.

Whilst on the road, we’ve decided to give you, our guests, packed lunches rather than making stops for food, reducing your personal interactions. Whilst you’re on the move, we keep the windows open as much as the weather will allow to keep fresh air circulating.

On your trip, we will work to ensure you only encounter new team members when absolutely necessary. There’ll only ever be one guide in your vehicle at any time and we will keep meticulous logs of everyone you come into contact with, in case contact tracing may be needed.

Only your driver guide will be allowed to open the doors of your vehicle; we’ve asked hotel staff to not touch our vans and trucks at the moment. Your luggage is also our concern, and we have sanitizers and cleaning products on hand to keep them clean as you move between lodges and camps.

Are travellers required to wear masks whilst in the safari vehicle?

In Kenya

  • The government requires all occupants of vehicles to wear masks at all times when driving in cities and towns.
  • Masks are required when participating in seat in vehicle safaris where you are sharing with other people outside of your family group.
  • If on a private safari where you are only in the vehicle with other members of your family group (including friends), masks are optional on game drives and drives between parks where the roof hatch or windows are open (except when passing through a city or town).
  • However, masks are required at all times when arriving and departing hotels, lodges, and camps and at park gates and other stops.

In Tanzania

  • Masks are required when participating in seat in vehicle safaris where you are sharing with other people outside of your family group.
  • If on a private safari where you are only in the vehicle with other members of your family group (including friends), masks are optional on game drives and drives between parks where the roof hatch or windows are open.
  • However, masks are required at all times when arriving and departing hotels, lodges, and camps and at park gates and other stops.

Are masks provided?

No.  Travellers should bring their own masks.  Hotels, lodges and camps may have these available at an additional cost.

Is hand sanitiser provided?

Hand sanitiser will be available in the vehicles.  Travellers are encouraged to bring their own.

Can you still get visas on arrival?

Yes.  If travellers are travelling under passports that have allowed visas on arrival in the past, it is still possible to get visas on arrival now.  However, we highly recommend that travellers get visas in advance to reduce the amount of time they are in the airport on arrival.

What happens if a traveller is suspected of having COVID-19 on arrival?

We hope that this will not happen.  However, should you show symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival, you will be required to quarantine at a local hotel at your expense.  You may also be subject to testing. If you are found to have COVID-19 and need medical treatment, you will have to pay for this treatment and any hospitalisation.  We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance that will cover medical treatment and evacuation before you travel.

Can you explain the COVID-19 negative certificate?

Currently, Kenya requiring that arriving travellers present a certificate from a certified lab that the travellers have been tested and been found to be negative for the presence of the Coronavirus.  For Kenya, these certificates need to be issued no more than 96 hours before arrival.  They need to be PCR certificates.

Is it possible to travel between Kenya and Tanzania by land?

Yes.  The road border at Namanga is open and travellers can enter Tanzania from Kenya with the appropriate visa. Travellers entering Kenya from Tanzania have to produce a COVID-19 Negative Certificate that has been issued in the last 96 hours.  Please see below regarding testing.

Will I need to be tested in Tanzania and if so, how is that done?

Some airlines are requiring a certificate before boarding the return flight or your home country may require a certificate on return.  Further, if travelling to Kenya from Tanzania, you need to have a current certificate. Testing can be done in the following locations – Arusha, Karatu, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.  It takes 72 hours for the certificate to be issued