Is Kenya safe for safari?

Kenya is one of Africa’s most established safari destinations, with decades of experience hosting international visitors. The main safari circuits, including the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Laikipia and Ol Pejeta, have professional guides, park authorities and a wide range of lodges and camps.

The main risks are what you would expect: wildlife safety (follow your guide), petty theft in Nairobi, and long road transfers. Pre-arranged airport pickups, reputable operators and fly-in options address most of these. Some remote or border regions carry government travel warnings, so check your own government’s advice for your exact destinations.

Is Tanzania safe for safari?

Tanzania’s northern circuit (the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire and Lake Manyara) is well set up for international visitors, with experienced driver-guides and established camps. Southern parks such as Nyerere and Ruaha are more remote, so working with an experienced operator matters even more there.

In Zanzibar, take the usual holiday precautions with belongings, transport and evening outings. Check Tanzania’s current entry and insurance requirements, including any Zanzibar-specific rules, before you travel.

Is Uganda safe for gorilla trekking and safari?

Uganda is one of the world’s leading destinations for mountain gorilla trekking, mainly in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and Budongo Forest is also popular. Treks are led by authorised rangers and trackers, and group sizes and viewing distances are regulated to protect both people and gorillas.

• Permits: Book through authorised channels, well ahead of time.
• Fitness and terrain: Treks can be steep, muddy and long. Choose a trek that matches your fitness and ask about porters.
• Health: You may be asked not to trek if you are unwell, to protect the gorillas.
• Roads: Journeys between parks can be long and slow. Allow extra time or consider internal flights.
• Border regions: Bwindi and Mgahinga lie near Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Because of the Ebola outbreak in DRC, check your government’s advice and Uganda’s current entry and screening rules before you book.

Is Rwanda safe for gorilla trekking and safari?

Rwanda is compact, well organised and known for its tightly regulated gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, in the northwest. Nyungwe National Park offers chimpanzee tracking and forest walks. Treks are managed by park rangers, with permits issued through official channels.

Follow ranger instructions, keep the required distance from the gorillas, wear suitable hiking footwear and clothing, and carry water and rain protection. Volcanoes National Park lies near the border with the DRC, so check your government’s advice and Rwanda’s current health and entry requirements before you travel.

Is it safe to go on safari during the 2026 Ebola outbreak?

The 2026 outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus and is centred on eastern DRC. WHO has declared it a public health emergency of international concern. As of 3 November 2026, WHO reported more than 10,000 confirmed cases in DRC, with Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria also having reported cases. The safari and trekking areas covered in this guide are a long way from the worst-affected zones, but the situation changes, so rely on official health sources rather than headlines.

Kenya: Kenya confirmed its first imported case on 6 October. According to the Ministry of Health’s update of 6 November, the total stands at nine confirmed cases, including two deaths. All nine are linked to one transmission chain, there is no evidence of spread in the community, and no new case has been recorded since 19 October. Six patients have recovered and one remains in treatment. The Ministry says Kenya has no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings and is screening travellers at all 26 points of entry. An outbreak can only be declared over after a 42-day countdown that starts when the last patient is cleared, so it is not yet officially over.

Uganda: Uganda reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths between May and June. The Ministry of Health declared its outbreak over on 28 July and WHO confirmed it in late August. Uganda says it has had no new cases since, and has stepped up screening at airports and land borders.

Tanzania and Rwanda: Neither is among the countries WHO lists as having reported confirmed cases in this outbreak. Check each country’s own health authority for updates, as the picture can change quickly.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials. It does not spread through casual contact the way common respiratory infections do. There is no approved vaccine specifically for the Bundibugyo virus.

Sources: WHO Disease Outbreak News, 6 November 2026 and the Kenyan Ministry of Health statement of 6 November 2026.

Wildlife and guided-vehicle safety

Safari animals are wild, and their behaviour can’t always be predicted. Trained guides read animal behaviour, position the vehicle and manage the guests’ safety. The rules are simple:

• Stay inside the vehicle unless your guide says it is safe and permitted to get out.
• Keep hands and arms inside.
• Never feed wildlife.
• Avoid loud noises and sudden movements.
• Follow your guide’s instructions at all times.

Many lodges and camps sit in unfenced wilderness, so animals can pass through. Properties often have trained security staff, commonly called askaris, who escort guests between rooms and common areas after dark. Always ask for an escort when it is required.

Health: malaria, vaccinations and insurance

Malaria is present in many parts of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, with risk varying by location, altitude and season. Staying in a luxury lodge does not remove the risk.

• See a travel health clinic several weeks before departure to discuss malaria prevention and vaccinations.
• Use an effective insect repellent and wear long sleeves and trousers at dusk and at night.
• Use mosquito nets where provided.
• See a doctor promptly if you get a fever during or after your trip, even if you took preventive medication.

Choose comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation, cancellation and your planned activities. If you plan to trek, confirm that your policy covers hiking and altitude. Drink only water your lodge or operator confirms is safe, and tell your operator in advance about allergies or dietary needs.

Petty crime in cities, airports and transfers

Opportunistic crime such as pickpocketing, phone snatching and bag theft can happen in busy cities, including Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala and Kigali, as in any large city.

• Arrange reputable airport transfers in advance.
• Keep passports, cash and valuables secure and out of sight.
• Avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas after dark.
• Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
• Follow your accommodation’s security advice.

Road and light-aircraft safety

Road conditions vary from smooth tarmac to rough gravel, and the rainy season can change them quickly. Travelling with an experienced driver-guide in a well-maintained vehicle is generally better than driving yourself. Avoid unnecessary night driving, wear your seatbelt and allow plenty of time between destinations.

Fly-in safaris use scheduled or chartered bush flights between airstrips and can save hours on long transfers. Ask your operator which airlines they use and what their safety standards are.

Safety for solo travellers, women, families and seniors

Solo and women travellers: Organised safaris suit solo travellers well because accommodation, transfers and activities are arranged in advance and you are accompanied by guides. Share your itinerary with someone at home, arrange arrival transfers, and check current cultural and legal guidance for each country.

Families: Both safaris and gorilla treks need extra planning. Some lodges set minimum ages for walking safaris, and gorilla trekking has a minimum age set by the park authorities, so confirm it before you book. Ask about family-friendly lodges, private vehicles, shorter transfers and malaria prevention for children.

Seniors: Many safari itineraries can be tailored to comfort and mobility. For gorilla trekking, discuss fitness and the option of porters with your operator.

How Camptrek plans safe journeys

Every Camptrek safari is private and tailor-made, which gives us control over the details that matter for safety. We arrange a dedicated vehicle with an experienced driver-guide, select accommodation to suit your route and style of travel, and organise airport transfers and connections between destinations so you are not left to work out transport on your own.

For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, we help arrange permits, accommodation and transfers, subject to availability and each country’s requirements. On multi-country itineraries we plan the flights, road transfers and border formalities together, so the pace is realistic and nothing is left to chance.

Before you travel, we talk through your route and dates, including the current health and advisory picture, so you can make an informed decision. If you have specific concerns about wildlife, health, mobility or travelling with children, tell us early and we will shape the itinerary around them.

What to check before you book

• Clear details of every lodge and location.
• Experienced, professional driver-guides.
• Reliable, well-maintained vehicles.
• Arranged airport transfers.
• Transparent pricing and booking conditions.
• Support in emergencies.
• Help with border crossings on multi-country trips.
• Properly arranged gorilla and chimpanzee permits.

Entry requirements depend on your nationality and route. They may include Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), Tanzania visa and Zanzibar insurance rules, Uganda and Rwanda visas, yellow fever certificates where applicable, passport validity, and health screening or declaration forms. Rules change, so confirm with official immigration channels.

Where to check current conditions

Check these right before booking and again before departure:

• Government travel advice: US State Department, UK FCDO, Canada and Australia.
• Health: the World Health Organization, the US CDC travel health pages and the Kenya Ministry of Health.
• Tourism authorities: Magical Kenya, Tanzania Tourism, Visit Uganda and Visit Rwanda.

Six tips for a safer East Africa safari

1. Choose an established operator with experienced guides and reliable partners.
2. Check official advisories for every country on your route.
3. Buy comprehensive travel insurance, including evacuation, cancellation and trekking cover.
4. Visit a travel clinic several weeks before you go.
5. Respect wildlife and local communities and follow park rules.
6. Keep copies of key documents: passport, insurance, flights, permits and emergency contacts.