Africa is Open to Travel: How to Stay Safe

Americans can travel to Africa: Here’s how to stay safe!

Africa has opened up to the world. Most African countries are allowing Americans who have tested negative for COVID-19 to enter the country. Airports are open and several airlines are flying to the continent. 

A vaccine is soon to be rolled out across the USA, which will give, some, travelers even more confidence to travel.

In this post, we share the protocols and measures that our partners have in place to help keep you safe during your holiday to Africa. We will also share information about our protocols to ensure you and your money are kept safe.

Will you be traveling to Africa in 2021?

What our accommodation partners are doing to help keep you safe 

A lot of your time will be spent in or around your accommodation, especially when on safari. Therefore, it is essential that lodges and hotels do not only adhere to COVID protocols but go the extra mile to keep you and your family safe.

Here is a selection of accommodations and their COVID protocols. 

Kapama Private Game Reserve

Kapama Private Game Reserve in Greater Kruger has 4 lodges within its reserve. It is a popular choice with many of our clients. Kapama has shared its measures, which includes:

• All cleaning protocols are in strict adherence with the WHO standards including sanitizing all surfaces
• Enhance hygiene protocols at the Spas to align with the WHO protocols to ensure guests receive a safe yet relaxing treatment
• Social distancing protocols will be implemented in the dining areas with tables
  set apart from each other
• The number of guests per safari vehicle will not exceed 6 people
• Alcohol-based sanitizer (70%) will be available on game vehicles & in public spaces
• Extensive and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures will be carried out on
  fitness centre equipment surfaces and frequently touched surfaces
• Hand-held temperature screening and the recording of that data will be conducted
  daily, in the most unobtrusive way, with all guests
• All four Lodges will have at least one person trained as a Hygiene Manager,
  responsible for ensuring each Lodge adheres to the new operational guidelines
• Should a guest show signs or be flagged as a potential COVID-19 case, we have
  direct access to a doctor on call

See a full list of the Kapama protocols, here.

Kapama has also achieved the compliance badge and certificate from the Tourism Business Council of South Africa. So you can rest assured that you are in very safe hands.

The Commodore Hotel

The Commodore Hotel in Cape Town is part of Legacy Hotels and Resorts and has a strict COVID-19 policy in place. Measures in the policy include:

• A pledge to adhere to the protocols as set out the World Health Organisation (WHO)
• The appointment of a COVID-19 Health and Safety officer in every operation to ensure adherence to the protocols
• Guests, staff, visitors and contractors’ temperature monitoring 
• Heightened sanitising and hygiene practised in all areas of operation
• Capacity controls in restaurants, lounges, gyms, pools and more

City Lodge OR Tambo

City Lodge OR Tambo in Johannesburg, part of the City Lodge Hotel Group is frequented by many of our guests on arrival to Africa due to its proximity to Johannesburg International Airport.

CLHG follow stringent Covid-19 protocols and offer all the necessary precautions to ensure that you don’t question your safety while visiting them.

The COVID-19 protocol includes but is not limited to:

Find out more, here.

If you would like to know about a particular lodge or hotels COVID-19 protocols, please let us know and we will contact them on your behalf. 

What airlines are doing to keep you safe

An essential part of the travel experience is flying. We have researched what measures, relevant, airlines have in place to ensure your safety when in transit from the USA to Africa. 

Many of the airlines that operate flights from the USA to Africa are members of The International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA support oneworld Alliance, SkyTeam and Star Alliance to highlight the current health and safety measures in place by airlines to ensure you can fly with confidence.

Rigorous testing has been done by airlines including United Airlines to determine the safety of travelling via plane. Studies show COVID-19 exposure risk is minimal when air filtration systems and masks are in use.

What airports are doing to keep you safe

Just as critical as airlines are airports. A substantial amount of time is spent in airport terminals before and after flying. During this time it’s essential to follow airport protocols. 

TSA launched the “Stay Healthy. Stay Secure.” campaign, which details proactive and protective measures we have implemented at security checkpoints to make the screening process safer for passengers and our workforce by reducing the potential of exposure to the coronavirus.

How to keep yourself and others safe

Lodges, airlines and airports can put all possible measures in place but if people don’t follow them then they are not effective. 

It goes without saying that, as a traveler, you have a responsibility to follow all measures as closely as possible. As well as following measures you have to take extra caution when traveling to and from the airport and in the days leading up to your trip, post-testing negative for COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends following these steps to protect yourself and others when you travel:

• Maintain a distance of 6 feet (2 meters) between you and others as much as possible.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick
• Limit contact with frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons and kiosks. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterwards.
• Wear a cloth face mask.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Clean your hands often. It’s especially important after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.

Let’s get traveling again

We can travel, if we follow protocols and act responsibly, it is possible to have a wonderful, safe, vacation. 

At Ntaba African Safaris, we follow the Covid protocols of the country’s that we operate in and well as the Airlines that we fly our clients on. 

We are here, for you, to make your trip to Africa, a trip of a lifetime.

If you want more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Your Covid travel questions answered