Happy Thanksgiving to my family, friends and clients! I am thankful for you, not just on Thanksgiving Day!
It has been a whirlwind of a month. I can’t be more excited to share about our adventure to Uganda. It was so nice to be traveling again…and internationally!
With over a year of preparation, and the uncertainty of the pandemic, we were thrilled to hear that Uganda opened its borders on October 1st. And with a great deal of perseverance, the organizers worked tirelessly to make this happen…kicking it into high gear when we received the message that Uganda is welcoming travelers. Yep, we were surprised. But they made sure we were fully prepared with all the safety and health protocols in place. And guess what? We did it!!
Uganda…the Pearl of Africa!
With a tapestry of landscapes, excellent wildlife watching and welcoming locals, Uganda packs a lot into one small country. It’s home to Africa’s tallest mountain range, (the Rwenzoris), the source of the Nile, the world’s longest river and the continent’s largest lake. The country’s most iconic experience is tracking mountain gorillas in their misty habitat. And when viewing the Big Five, you’ll see that nature – diverse and resplendent – looms large here.
“Life is meant for spectacular adventures. Let your feet wander, your eyes marvel and your soul ignite.”
Uganda…it has been a few years since I stepped onto your soil and I am thrilled to be back! To me…it’s the happiest place on Earth! From the people to the culture to the smiles, the cuisine, the music, the generosity of everyone…it was good to be back!
The first time I visited your beautiful country, I was with 3 friends as a part of “Acres of Hope” and we worked together to teach 30 house moms entrepreneurship skills. This adventure is one of the highlights of my many international journeys and it brings a smile to my face and warms my heart every time I think of “Acres of Hope”.
Uganda…the happiest place on Earth!
This adventure was a little bit different than my first trip to Uganda. I loved exploring the National Parks, trekking to the big guys…gorillas and chimpanzees, visiting animal sanctuaries and looking for the Big 5. It was fun traveling with other advisors from my host agency, Gifted Travel Network, and our spouses and friends!
What’s it like to travel internationally now?
Uganda requires 2 negative Covid-19 Tests (PCR) results. The first one is required within 72 hours of arrival and then the second one is administered 72 hours before you depart the country. You’ll need to wear a mask, wash your hands with soap and water frequently and use hand sanitizer as well. We took every precaution and felt very safe on our trip over.
We loved flying Qatar!
Since Qatar Airways is a ONE WORLD Alliance partner, we opted to fly them from DC to Entebbe. From day one of Covid, Qatar was determined to continue flying throughout 2020 as long as country by country regulations allowed.
They have strict on-board safety protocols for passengers and crew members. They wear white gowns, goggles, gloves and face masks. Every passenger had their temperature taken during check in. Plus, we were required to wear a face mask and a shield when boarding and deplaning.
On Board Experience
Once we were settled in our seats, it didn’t take long to notice that there were very few passengers onboard. The flight attendant told me that 21/36 seats were occupied in business class and 80/236 for the rest of the plane.
Cleanliness was top of mind for the crew as I noticed them wiping down surfaces both in the cabin and the lavatories often! To be honest, we had a great experience and felt very safe flying on Qatar!
You are most welcome here!
Uganda is an amazingly beautiful country with very warm and friendly people. Quite often we heard them say, “You are most welcome here!” and they meant it. They have not seen visitors since March and were thrilled to have us on their soil.
Over the next few weeks, I will highlight my favorite parts from our journey through many pictures and stories….from the inspirational people to the beautiful landscape to the mighty animals that we encountered!
Many of you know I have a passion for photography and you’ll really see it from my journey.
Click below to follow along on this amazing journey.
I wish you a wonderful holiday filled with joy, peace, love and great health!
If you want your 2020 “Vacation Do Over”, let’s start planning your next adventure now!
