5 Tips for Travelling in Africa During COVID-19

This year, my theme is to be “Fearless”.Whilst in Budapest with my best friend, sitting in a vintage café the eve before my birthday, we set up our themes for 2020 and for me I chose to let go of any fear that would hold me back from being the best version of myself.

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2020 felt like the year of stepping into a world of unknown and embracing it. For those that know me, you know that I am a soul that appreciates control and predictability in my life – planning is important. As a careful planner, I would often say “failing to plan, is planning to fail”.

I eagerly thought that I would continue to rack up air miles and explore the beauty of the continent, reaching new destinations and creating connections with wonderful people. Especially as I would be moving to Ethiopia, the epicentre for nomadic travel across Africa and beyond.

But, COVID-19 happened.

No one predicted 2020 and particularly, no one could have predicted how much travelling would change, so quickly. Naturally, the borders were one of the major concerns once COVID-19started.

Prior to COVID-19, given the nature of my work, which takes me to conflict zones around the globe, I thought that I had seen it all when it comes to travel experiences. Well, little did I know, that was yet to be determined – a recent trip from Addis to Nairobi (August, 2020), showed me exactly this, and is the cornerstone of what inspired me to write this piece, so other nomads such as myself, can avoid and be ready for what to expect… the new normal.

So, here’s a story of how this all started.

In March, I moved to Addis from London, at the very beginning of the pandemic. At a time, where wearing a mask were for the overly cautious and COVID-19 was nothing to fear, a passing wave. But not for me, I feared COVID-19 from the start, thanks to my sister, who works in the neurology department at the National Health Care Services who kept me abreast of how much risk I was taking in getting on a flight during that time.

I was one of the few people on the flight with a mask. Everyone looked at me like I was the crazy one….at the time. I sanitised my seat, and sanitised, at every opportunity I had.

I managed to get to Addis,COVID-19 free. However, after 72 hours in Addis, everything drastically changed. Ethiopia reported its first COVID-19 case(s) in the country, our neighbours Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia all closed their borders.What was anticipated as a few weeks of preventative measures lasted almost half a year!

Not only was the new era of social distancing, masks, office closures, one thing, Ethiopia also went through a short period of civil unrest. I survived and found small joys where I could.  As soon as there were some level of normalcy resuming in the world, and Kenya announcing that borders would open with caution, it was an obvious choice where I wanted to travel too, and take a break. Magical Kenya had always been one of my favourite’s places, not only because of my beloved tribe who reside there but the beauty of the landscape and people. Every time I visit Kenya, I just feel restored with new energy and appreciation. But then again, I am biased as I lived there for three years.

I have to say, I did not even think or envision any travel constraints which would dissuade me from travelling. I had after all, travelled during the break of the pandemic, experienced a wave of protests, what was a short 1.5 hr flight to Nairobi, Kenya,

But if there is anything, I have learnt about travelling during a pandemic is no matter how much you plan, we are living in uncertain and unpredictable times. Before I start with my COVID travel tips let me just describe my recent experience.

I wasn’t ready for all of the disorganization. I rigorously read all the information I could find: from Whatsapp messages, voice-notes, emails, government notices, and embassy circulars.  I crossed check with various sources and contacts about what I needed to do to be able to safely arrive and be accepted in Kenya under its new travel protocols. One such rule was to get a negative COVID-19 test within 7 days of travelling to Kenya.

So, I booked my COVID-19 test within a week of travel and submitted the relevant forms from a Whatsapp message I got. You would think I was well prepared right? I was wrong.

COVID-19 travel is unpredictable, my nomadic friends. In the days and hours leading up to my trip, so many things happened. The test was hard to get, government officials and contact details listed were unresponsive, and there were conflicting messages about the new protocols. Some said that COVID-19 tests should be negative within 7 days of arriving in Nairobi, another source said it would be 4 days. Another source even said that if you arrived into Nairobi without government approval, you would have to go through mandatory government quarantine.

You name it, there was conflicting information.

Now believe me for someone who comes from a communication background, I completely sympathise with how complex it is to share accurate information during a pandemic. Every country is scrambling, experimenting and trying to strike a delicate balance.

Even after getting through the stress above. I thought I had figured it out. But on the day before my trip I got a nice email from the airline, a day before my flight “sorry we regret to inform you that your trip has been rescheduled for Monday”. Now in our old era of travelling this would not be a problem, another day to buy gifts for loved ones and enjoy a full weekend at home. But in the era of COVID-19, it meant that I may need to get another COVID-19 test, to be able to satisfy the rule that I got a test within 7 days of my arrival into Nairobi.

However, during COVID one noticeably dilemma, validity of your COVID test. The implications in my case, my test would be null and void. Required to get another COVID test, wait 48hours and hope your rescheduled flight does in fact fly on the date planned. So, in the end and a few $$$ later, I managed to book myself on another flight with a trusted airline.

Now, I wish that is where the uneventful story ended but unfortunately this was not the case. Questions on visa, forms to complete, whether your country of departure is exempt from quarantine and so on, the list goes on.

Now, I fortunately had wonderful incredible souls providing both moral and practical support the entire journey and if it weren’t for them, I likely would have struggled remaining patient and persevering through each obstacle. But this daunting experience in fact inspired this post, because I would hate for anyone to endure the same painful challenge.

Travel is such an incredible experience, for me it’s been a significant part of my growth, learning and self-evolution. Yes, although we are all living through a pandemic, unfortunately it seems that this will continue to be our new normal. COVID test will be standard elements of our travel check list. But this shouldn’t stop us from travelling and exploring but rather ensure that we continue to be well informed so our trip can start and end smoothly.

Tips for Travelling in Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic

So here go my tips for travelling during a pandemic and specifically in East Africa:

1.     Make sure to check the national regulations on COVID-19, what is the current measures enforces, are the borders open or closed?

2.     Is there a curfew and can you travel within the country?

3.     What documents do you need ahead of your trip – COVID test, information about where you are staying and other compliance measures?

4.     Most importantly, do you need a visa before travel and have immigration rules changed?

5.     If you still intend to travel, make sure to print all your documents, get there in good time and put on a smile and preserve through the uncertainty.

If you are travelling to Kenya in the coming weeks, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would be happy to share further tips and practical guidelines on how to travel safely in this new era.

In these circumstances planning is essential and will set the tone for your trip. After all, my experience may have been short of pleasant, but I knew when I landed, I would be welcomed with open arms and that it would be the start of a new journey and unforgettable memories.

After all this does make for a good story and hopefully some practical and useful tips or some fellow nomads.

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