As high season in East Africa slowly begins to wind down, we would like to take a moment to highlight some important information and changes coming into effect.

WHAT IS THE PERFECT COMBINATION?

Yes, we have it clear!!!... Safari and beach are the perfect combination!
From Africa there are many possibilities to combine safari and beach. It all depends on the time available, the desire to fly and of course, the budget available to travel to one of the chosen beach destinations.

One of the most demanded trips to Africa is the route that joins Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar. Its strong point is that it offers the possibility of going on safari in "top" parks such as the Masai Mara, the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro and in less than an hour by plane to be bathing in the crystal-clear waters of the Zanzibar archipelago. The island known as the Spice Island is a place full of history, with paradisiacal beaches and a great atmosphere. Discover Africa with us.

East Africa is a destination which encompasses all - from breath taking landscapes, untamed safari terrain, idyllic beaches as well as captivating cultures. With a new dawn of travel upon us, rise to the occasion along with the sun and join Urth Expedition on an exploration of Africa’s Eden in the east.

Making sure adventure and discovery remains accessible for all, we have curated tours for tailor made packages as well as small and exclusive guided group tours - the scope of experience and budget taken into consideration. Tailor made itineraries encourage exclusivity and freedom, while guided group excursions are an invitation for collecting memories through new friends, selected activities and wild encounters within a pre-arranged schedule, taking the worry of logistics out of one’s hands. With a maximum of 7 people, the guided group tours simultaneously offer intimate African experiences.

Other than the accepted and encouraged COVID protocols, travel in East Africa is almost as before. Airlines such as Ethiopian, Kenyan, Lufthansa, Qatar, Emirates, Rwandair, Turkish and KLM are once again providing multiple flights per week. One may obtain visas for Kenya and Uganda online, and Tanzania is online or on arrival.

East Africa is a visual feast of bio diverse and abundant wildlife; an experience of Africa at its finest. Exclusive journeys and spacious properties invite guests on a getaway of personal space, safely distanced yet intimately connected to their surroundings. Iconic and secret destinations await to welcome travellers to their African adventure.

Answer the call of Africa and contact us at info@urthsafari.com

Captivating Cape Town
Cape Town is, in many people’s view, the prettiest and most pleasant large city in Africa. Set along a dramatic coastline with scenic Table Mountain providing the backdrop, Cape Town has something for everyone. Nature lovers can enjoy the towering mountains, hills, incredible gardens and coastline. A tour of the Cape Peninsula makes for an incredible day of sightseeing (be sure to stop and see the African penguins). History buffs can view buildings dating back hundreds of years throughout the city or take a tour of Robben Island, the site of Nelson Mandela’s incarceration for many years. Art lovers can stroll through galleries full of African and contemporary art, such as the world-renowned Zeitz Museum, which is the largest museum of contemporary African art in the world. Shopping and dining in Cape Town are nothing short of world-class. And the renowned Cape Winelands are just a short drive away.

Answer the call of Africa and contact us at info@urthsafari.com

MASAI VILLAGE CULTURAL VISIT

Want to know more about the traditional way of life of the Masai? This is the best chance to learn about them. You will visit a Masai village led by an experienced masai guide.

Just behind the endless plains, we shall come across again with masai shepherds and their herds and colourful “shuka” or masai’s blankets. That’s the real masai life. Once at the manyatta, you will see how they live, meet the families and the meaning of dances and traditions of their daily life. Furthermore you will have the opportunity of purchasing traditional jewellery beads handmade by masai “mamas” experiencing real “fair trade” at the village. A unique and unforgettable experience to discover the traditions and way of life of one of the most well-known peoples of Kenya and Tanzania.

HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI

Flying over the Masai Mara or the Serengeti in a hot air balloon is one of our most exclusive activities. The adventure begins at dawn, just when the sun begins to rise, one of the most incredible experiences that can be lived in Africa starts.

The hot air balloon rises, you will float gently over the plains of the magnificent Masai Mara or Serengeti. We can assure you that starting to see the first rays of sun in the distance on the savannah is something that will take your breath away.

Slowly the horizon will flood you with images of animal herds, trees like the beautiful baobabs, the immense meadows, and all kinds of vegetation and wildlife that you would never have imagined. You will be exposed to the most genuine sounds of nature.

A Balloon safari is an unique experience that will allow you to observe and enjoy the wildlife from a different perspective. Next, our guests will experience a delicious buffet breakfast with sparkling wine in a unforgettable setting, the amazing African Savannah.

Feel like a bird contemplating the Mara or Serengeti below you from an privileged view. Book your hot air balloon safari with us .

NATURE WALK

Urth Expedition offers nature walks in the surroundings of our camps in the Masai Mara Reserve or Ngorongoro Crater . A unique experience guided by a Maasai expert in wildife and natural traditions. Take a nature walk into the bush, looking for animal tracks such as zebras, giraffes, buffalos or lions or just feel the sounds of nature around you.

On a nature safari you can discover the amazing world of the plants and the use of them in the traditional masai medicine. (Walking safari takes around 1½ hour)

Seamless travel in Africa is possible. These itineraries take into consideration each destination’s air access, COVID requirements and our trust in our ground handling partners and preferred suppliers.

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is currently on an adjusted Level 2 Lockdown Regulation. A curfew is in place from 11pm to 4am with restaurants closing at 10pm. If a flight arrives during curfew hours, passengers may need to show proof of their boarding passes or flight tickets if stopped by law enforcement en route to the airport, hotel or home. All gatherings are limited to 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors and venues that are too small are limited to 50% of the capacity of the venue.

All travelers must present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, obtained not more than 72 hours from the time of departure

All travelers must complete a Traveler Health Questionnaire on entering and exiting South Africa.

Travelers will be asked to download the COVID Alert South Africa mobile app.

Travelers will be screened for any COVID-19 symptoms.

Quarantine is not mandatory unless travelers fail to present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test, display any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with an infected person. A mandatory COVID-19 test will be required at their own cost and if positive, travelers will be subjected to a 10-day quarantine at a designated site, at their own cost

KENYA

All travellers are required to present a negative PCR test document on arrival. This test must have been conducted within 96 hours prior to arrival.

Travellers younger than 5 years of age are exempt from having to have a PCR test.

Travellers are required to complete the Travellers’ Locator form at https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/ before arrival. Once you have completed the online application, you will receive a QR Code by email that you should retain and have available on arrival (either on your phone or printed out – we suggest you print out a copy and also keep the code on your smartphone.)

Travellers from Brunei, Thailand, Kuwait, and Qatar* will be required to undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days in an approved hotel at their own cost. Before embarking, they will be required to show a negative PCR Test (96 hours or fewer), not display any symptoms, and provide evidence that they have booked their approved quarantine hotel. *Travellers transiting Qatar and not leaving the airport, who are travelling from an otherwise approved country, do not have to quarantine on arrival.

Before you depart, once you have your negative PCR Test, you need to have it validated by a validation company such as https://globalhaven.org/ Once you have completed this, you will be issued with a Digital Travel Code.

RWANDA

All travelers must present a printed copy of their negative PCR Test issued within 72 hours prior to departure to Rwanda. Rapid Diagnostics Tests (RDT) are not accepted

Travelers must complete the Passenger Locator Form prior to arrival and upload their COVID-19 test certificate via https://travel.rbc.gov.rw/travel/formstart.php

All travelers will be screened upon arrival and take a mandatory PCR test at the airport at a cost of USD 60 per person per test, paid directly. Travelers must wait 24 hours in a designated transit hotel while waiting on the test results before continuing onwards with their travel. Test results can be check on https://his.hmis.moh.gov.rw/results/

All travelers from India are required to complete 7 days in mandatory quarantine at a designated hotel at their own cost.

Travelers will be treated in line with Rwanda’s COVID-19 management guidelines if they test positive, even if asymptomatic, until they have fully recovered, at their own cost.

All travelers departing from Rwanda must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.

Preventive measures must be followed while travelling in Rwanda, including physical distancing; wearing of face masks and hand hygiene.

Travelers who are visiting any national park in Rwanda, are required to schedule their visit within 72 hours of receiving a negative PCR test result. If their visit/s are more than 72 hours after the initial test on arrival in Rwanda, travelers will be required to take another COVID-19 test before visiting any of the national parks

A curfew is currently in place between 8pm – 4am

NAMIBIA

The Namibian government has implemented a curfew from 10pm to 4am with restaurants and pubs closing at 8 pm. Alcohol sales is only allowed from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

All travelers must present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result, obtained within 7 days of arrival

Travelers must submit their full itinerary on arrival and will be subject to health screenings.

UGANDA

Arriving travelers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, obtained within 72 hours of departure for Uganda.
All travelers must undergo a PCR COVID-19 test upon arrival in Uganda at a cost of USD 65 per person and any traveler who tests positive must quarantine in a government-designated facility at their own cost.

Travelers who have received their full Covid-19 vaccinations will be allowed to enter the country without further testing upon arrival, except travelers from India.

All departing travelers must show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, issued within 72 hours of departing from Uganda.

TANZANIA

All travellers are required to present a negative PCR test document on arrival. This test must have been conducted within 96 hours prior to arrival.

Travellers younger than 5 years of age andfully vaccinated travellers are not exempt from having to have a PCR test.

All travellers must complete a pre-arrival document at https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz This document must be completed no more than 24 hours before arrival but must be completed before arrival.

When using this website, you can also pre-book your arrival Rapid Antigen Tests and pay for these online (see more details below).

Travellers from the following countries will be screened on arrival and also be required to take a Rapid Antigen Test: The United Kingdom, United States of America, India, South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, France, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, and Malawi

The cost of the Rapid Antigen test is USD10.00 and must be paid in cash at the time or online on the government site (see above).

SEYCHELLES

All travelers must present a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test, taken within 72 hours before departure.

All travelers must apply for a Health Travel Authorization and the travel authorization (pdf) must be printed out or saved on a mobile phone and presented upon arrival in the Seychelles.

Travelers who have been to Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Nepal and Pakistan, within 14 days prior to arrival in Seychelles are not permitted entry.

All travelers must have comprehensive international travel insurance that also covers Covid-19

Travelers must stay at licensed establishments or liveaboards that have been certified by the Public Health Authority. Click here for details.

Regular measures like wearing a mark, sanitizing and social distancing are expected to be followed at all times.

MAURITIUS

Direct flights between South Africa and Mauritius starts on October 1st, and from this date, fully vaccinated travelers will be allowed to stay at any hotel, resort or accommodation of their choice and move freely around the island. Unvaccinated travellers will still have to undergo 14 days’ quarantine in a state-designated quarantine facility.

All travelers must present a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours prior to departure.

Children under 18 years of age do not need to be vaccinated if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated adult, but they must present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before departure to Mauritius.

Travel during September 2021:

Vaccinated guests:

Enjoy a hotel holiday in one of the certified COVID-19 safe hotels, relax on the beach and use the hotel facilities, excluding the spa

You will have a PCR test on your day of arrival, day 7 and day 14

After a negative PCR test on day 14, you are free to go and explore the island

Unvaccinated guests:

You will need to stay in your hotel room for 14 days and meals will be delivered to your room

You will have a PCR test on your day of arrival, day 7 and day 14

After a negative PCR test on day 14, you can freely explore the island and move to new accommodation or to your home

October 2021 Onwards:

Vaccinated guests:

Full opening of the island and explore freely throughout your holiday

You must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure to be allowed entry to the island

Unvaccinated guests:

You must book a quarantine stay in an official quarantine hotel, including meals and transfers

You will be required to stay in your hotel room for 14 days and meals will be delivered to your room

You will undergo a PCR test on your day of arrival, day 7 and day 14

After a negative PCR test on day 14, you can freely explore the island and move to new accommodation or go home

FOR TRAVELLERS FROM THE USA: Since January 26, 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.

International flights into Southern & East Africa

Most of the international airlines require passengers to present a negative COVID-19 test certificate that has been performed within 72 hours of departure. The same may be required when arriving at any transit airport / country. Contact us for updated details as to which airlines are flying into the destination.

We are keeping a close eye on the Southern and East African travel regulations & will keep you updated about any news in the next days. If you have any specific questions relating to travel in Africa, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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Insider Tanzania September 2021