SOP’S FOR TOURISM IN UGANDA

S

 Gorillas and Chimpanzee Tracking

1) At the briefing points, visitors and staff shall wash hands or sanitize and have their body temperature taken.

ii) Briefing and debriefing shall be done in small groups of eight. 

Tourists after they have been assigned gorilla families for tracking.

iii) Tourists, staff, and porters who, during the briefing, are observed to be sick shall not be allowed to track.

These include anyone with signs of flu and those who report having diarrhea, stomach upsets, and malaria among others.

iv) All the visitors, staff, and trackers must wear masks. v) A maximum of eight (8) tourists shall be allowed to track a gorilla group per day. 8

vi) A maximum of six (6) tourists shall be allowed to track a chimpanzee group at a time.

vii) The tourists must keep a distance of not less than 10 meters away from the gorillas and chimpanzees during this period.

viii) The assigned UWA guides shall ensure there is social distancing of 2 meters among the tourists while tracking, where practical.

ix) Before the gorilla and chimpanzee viewing commences, all people in the group shall sanitize their hands again.

 x) The tourists shall carry light equipment to minimize the need for porters while they undertake the tracking.

This information shall be communicated to potential tourists through the tour operators and other UWA communication platforms such as the UWA website and social media platforms.

xi) Due to the reported side effects of wearing masks for long periods and in high altitudes, visitors shall take frequent breaks during the tracking to give themselves time to breathe fresh air.

xii) During these breaks, social distancing shall be strictly observed.

xiii) In case a tourist or accompanying members of the team experiences a health-related problem, UWA staff shall apply the established evacuation and first aid guidelines to move the affected individual from the field.

 Game Drives

I) The regular park rules in place shall apply.

 ii) The vehicle guidelines in section 6 above shall also apply.

iii) Where a guide is requested to accompany tourists on a game drive, the guide shall sit in the front of the vehicle and shall continuously remind the tourists to observe social distance requirements

iv) Masks shall be worn at all times and disposed of appropriately in accordance with the guidelines on the use of masks. (Attached as Annex 1)

v) Where a tourist experiences side effects due to wearing a mask for long, the tourist shall inform the guide who shall find a safe and secure place to park the vehicle and allow the tourists to get fresh air while maintaining social distance. Should there be no improvement, UWA shall arrange immediate evacuation and transfer to the nearest health facility. The game drive activity shall be suspended. 9

Boat Cruises

I) The regular park rules shall apply.

ii) The boat and launches guidelines in section 6 above shall apply.

iii) All boats operating in the protected areas shall be cleaned and disinfected daily before deployment on any boat cruise activity.

iv) The guide shall ensure that passengers on the boat strictly observe social distancing requirements – one free vacant seat between any two occupants.

v) All passengers and crew shall wear masks at all times while on the boat.

vi) Where a tourist experiences side effects due to wearing a mask for a long time, the tourist shall inform the guide who shall find space within the boat for the client to get some fresh air for a few minutes.