Every year, thousands of travellers make way into Uganda and Rwanda for safaris. While some are yearning for the opportunity of trekking the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats, others simply wish to drive through the wilderness to see some of the most sought-after African wildlife.
The Pearl of Africa and land of a thousand hills have something for every visitor. From the spectacular landscapes to the warm climate, from the numerous cultures that make them melting pots to mouth-watering traditional cuisines, these countries always appear on most travellers’ bucket lists. Before you even begin making bookings for accommodation or transportation, there are a number of things you ought to know to organize the most memorable Ugandan and Rwandan safari. It is better safe than sorry, when you prepare early for your trip to these countries.
Therefore, the following are the important safety and travel tips for Uganda and Rwanda safaris.
Safety tips during flights and at the Airports
Valuables, especially passports, jewelry and cash shouldn’t be packed in checked luggage or an accessible jacket pocket. This reduces incidences of theft and instead you can keep these valuables in travel wallet.
Stay alert at the Airports in addition to keeping your personal possessions in sight during Airport check-ins and check-outs. Not everyone is honest and therefore avoid leaving your luggage/bags unattended.
Be vigilant or alert of staged mishaps such as being bumped into, spilling drinks and sudden falls because there are opportunities of being robbed.
Never accept assistance from strangers and in case you get pestered, a polite “no thanks” will help. Not only that, distraction (from phone or other people) is what you don’t need because thieved take advantage of such loopholes to achieve their dubious acts of stealing your personal possessions.
Travellers are cautioned against carrying valuables in backpacks, any kind of bag or pocket that is within reach of strangers. For instance if you choose to put your personal possessions in the backpack, just make sure that it isn’t carried on the back. Petty thieves ate very cunning and will use all kinds of tricks to take away your attention before finally sealing your valuables when you least expect it.
Don’t use taxis/cabs recommended by strangers outside the Airports, but instead ask for assistance from the Airport staff.
Never move around public places with huge amounts of money on you or better still avoid exchanging large sums of foreign currencies at the arrival points but instead opt for the Forex Bureaus far from the Airports.
Be cautious of people who seem to be loitering around you or following you because these are mostly likely to be thieves. If you notice someone following you for quite some time, report them to an Airport official.
Safety tips while at the ATMs
You will find ATMS in several parts of the City, some of which are secluded and safe while others not safe at all. Opt for the ones inside Banks or Shopping Malls and avoid the ones on the streets because they draw the attention of thieves.
Always be suspicious of everyone around the ATMs, especially the ones looking over your shoulder. Make sure that the keypad is covered while typing your PIN or better still don’t share your PIN with anyone. Also, be suspicious of someone who comes claiming that the ATM is broken or not functioning, with claims of offering help in finding another one.
Always avoid withdrawing huge amounts of cash at a go and regardless of how stranded you are, never accept assistance from strangers because most of these people are thieves waiting to take advantage of your ignorance to steal your hard-earned money.
In case of cards getting stuck in ATMs, contact the Bank staff and stay away from people offering help.
Important safety tips when driving
Valuables (such as laptop bags, mobile phones, passport, wallet, handbags or any other personal possession) shouldn’t be placed on passenger and backseats of the Rental Car but rather should be hidden somewhere in the vehicle. For smaller items, a money belt is handy.
Keep car doors and windows closed at all times-while driving or when parking because small loopholes are perfect opportunities of getting robbed by thieves who are always on high alert.
Stay alert of people who pretend to be begging around your windows, especially at traffic lights because most of these aren’t genuine beggars but rather petty thieves who take advantage of your kind-heartedness to take your valuables. Besides the beggars, you might be approached by those trying to sell something and if you ever find yourself in such situations, simply relax and give a bold and polite “No” is not interested.
While being kind-hearted is part of your life, this has to reduce during Uganda and Rwanda safaris and therefore avoid picking up hitchhikers or better still offering lifts to strangers with painful and heartbreaking stories because most of them do that for a living and steal from unsuspecting drivers.
Abide by the recommended speed limits (100 kilometers per hour on highways, 80 kilometers per hour around rural roads and 50 kilometers per hour when driving around Urban Centers) and always obey Traffic laws and regulations at all times. For pull overs by traffic police, stay as polite and friendly as possible but doesn’t mean you should bribe them. Avoid using cash for paying fines and always be firm on being given a ticket.
While Uganda and Rwanda are generally safe for safaris, incidences of robberies and hijacking are inevitable and if you ever find yourself in such unfortunate situations, don’t resist but instead cooperate. Doing otherwise-curses, resistance and trying to fight back might increase chances of violence or even murder.
Being in a haste is normally detrimental and therefore take your time to listen to lock clicks and go ahead to check car doors when locking, to ascertain that is it safe to leave. This is mainly because remote jammers are common in some places.
Safety Tips at your place of accommodation
To ensure safety at your places of lodging, it is advisable to keep bags safe, closed and within sight.
Room doors and windows should stay locked and also, it is not always safe to open doors to strangers because they could be wrong elements.
Your valuables should be kept in room safes and never in the open or even suitcase because they are the first places thieves will notice on breaking into your room. Not only that, Hotel staff can’t be trusted with such valuables.
In case of credit card transactions, they should be affected in your presence and for emphasis, never allow any body to use your card out of sight because there are high chances of getting cloned.
Feel free to inquire from the Hotel’s front desk on situation around the neighboring environment, in case there are any places to stay away from, find direction to key tourist sites, to mention but a few.
Safety Tips when walking on streets or public places
Always walk around well-lit places and those mainly visited by travellers. Empty side streets or alleyways and dreadful looking places should be avoided at all times during Rwanda and Uganda safaris.
Avoid roaming around without purpose and for this reason, you have to first understand where you are heading and if you are still clueless of the area, ask for directions from Hotel staff but not strangers.
Never display your personal possessions or jewelry in public places and while you move around, avoid drawing attention to yourself. It is advisable to blend in society instead of jutting out as a luxurious tourist.
Be very careful when strangers come closer to you or even attempt to distract you, because there is likelihood that they are wrong elements. If you feel uneasy, just go to a close by shop or Police Station.
Avoid walking alone in isolated places and instead opt for group walks while exploring City excursions or enjoying nightlife in Uganda’s Kampala City or Rwanda’s City of Kigali.
Avoid dashing people money in public places because you will be perceived as a very rich tourist, but if you are charity driven and hopping to cause a chance, it is important to provide donations through a number of registered Charity Organizations.
Carrying large amounts of money with you isn’t advisable because you will be inviting all kinds of thieves to attack and steal from you.
Safety and Travel tips within National Parks and Wildlife Reserves
National Parks and Wildlife Reserves in Uganda or Rwanda are generally safe and secure from any kind of attacks. However, travellers are cautioned against feeding or touching wild animals in their natural habitats. Be alert of the Olive baboons as well as curious vervet monkeys around almost all National Parks.
Food or bags should not be left in an open vehicle, valuable shouldn’t be left lying around and also, it is crucial to first confirm that the Car doors are properly locked before walking away from the vehicle.
Also, visitors are advised not to leave personal possessions in places of lodging while out on expeditions (gorilla treks, game drives, boat cruises, walking safaris and others).
All in all, common sense is the most important asset for your Rwanda and Uganda safari because things like avoiding isolated places, not trusting strangers, keeping valuable back home or in Hotel safes and not fighting robbers are applicable to all places across the World.