Is it safe for Women to travel solo in Uganda and Rwanda

Even while many nations have been working hard to make sure that single women travelers are safe, some still face obstacles when they travel overseas, such as sexual abuse and prejudice. In this essay, we will be concentrating on Rwanda and Uganda. Rwanda and Uganda are both in Africa’s eastern region.

Due to the many fascinating tourist attractions, such as tracking primates, trekking in the mountains, fishing, wildlife drives, and cultural monuments, both countries see significant numbers of visitors each year. Additionally, you can learn more about sexual assault while traveling throughout the world.  

Rwanda and Uganda are two incredibly tranquil nations that provide fantastic travel experiences, especially for women traveling alone. We will go into greater depth on each nation’s security status soon, emphasizing how safe it is for female tourists to travel there. Selecting a trustworthy tour operator in Rwanda or Uganda is crucial for female travelers traveling alone.

The tour operator from Naleyo tours and travels needs to have prior expertise planning trips for women and solo travelers. More information regarding traveling alone in Rwanda for both sexes can be found in a related article.

Is it safe for women to travel alone in Uganda?

 Uganda’s security situation has significantly improved. In an attempt to lower the high crime rates in the nation, the Ugandan police have increased their efforts by double. Although crime rates have drastically decreased, one still use caution because Female travelers traveling alone can anticipate being the focus of attention, particularly from young people.

Usually, the only reason for this is curiosity regarding their various skin tones. Some would wonder why a woman would be traveling alone to a new location. In Uganda, women hardly ever travel alone. The majority of Uganda’s roads, particularly those outside the city center, are not well maintained, have inadequate lighting, or without road markings, which can lead to accidents, particularly at night. Nighttime travel can also put one at risk for things like kidnappings and armed robberies.

Therefore, unless it is absolutely necessary, it is crucial to avoid traveling at night. In these situations, it is critical that you are In the presence of another person, perhaps your Guide. It is also a good idea to budget for emergency services and rescue in case you are in danger while driving. To get around the cities and other locations in Uganda, tourists utilize inexpensive modes of transportation such as taxis, public commuter buses, and motorcycles, also referred to as “boda boda.”

Although they cost more, there are also more structured and practical modes of transportation, such as Uber, Taxify, Safe Boda, and others. You can travel freely and conveniently without any obstacles if you choose any of these possibilities. For lone female visitors, Uganda’s gorilla trekking locations are extremely safe and secure. Furthermore, you can only reach the gorilla parks in company of friendly Guides and Rangers who take you through the procedures and guidelines for gorilla trekking.

They go with you to see the gorillas as well. There are standby porters who will assist you with carrying your bags the entire way if you have any extra weight to bear.In Uganda’s largest cities, women traveling alone are allowed to wear however they feel most comfortable.

Nonetheless, it is usually advised that people dress modestly if they choose to visit small towns or rural areas of the nation. Given that ladies dress more conservatively in those locations, they should choose clothing that is not overly tight or revealing. Additionally, it shows respect for culture.

Note:

 Some people in Rwanda and Uganda may harbor animosity toward the LGBTQ population. It is recommended that women traveling alone keep their relationship affairs private.

Safety of Solo Female Travelers in Rwanda

Similar to Uganda, Rwanda has been praised as a safe travel destination for women traveling alone. It has an even lower crime rate with just petty crimes like pick pocketing being the common crime. In Rwanda, corruption and particularly the use of bribes to get services is uncommon. English, French, Kinyarwanda, and Swahili are the primary languages used in Rwanda.

 This makes it easier for women traveling alone to get by without having to deal with language barriers. Women in the community prefer modest and respectable attire. It is important that solo female Travelers have this at the back of their minds.

 Rwanda has excellent road systems and a low accident rate. Additionally, there are a number of transportation options, including motorbikes, taxis, and commuter buses, all of which have toll-free numbers that can be used in an emergency. Private car hire services can also be accessed within Rwanda though they are quite expensive.

 It is legally required for visitors to Rwanda to have current health insurance at the time of admission. Additionally, travelers who do not have one are often granted 30 days to get one. In addition to airlifting international travelers in the event of medical emergencies, this aids in providing specialist treatment and care.

Since the nation provides basic medical treatment that might not meet the demands of the travelers, medical insurance is strongly advised for foreigners. There have been border disputes with practically all of Rwanda’s neighbors recently, despite the fact that travelers are now free to enter and exit the surrounding countries.

In February 2019, Rwanda closed its border with Uganda. This had an impact on the travel and tourism sector in addition to the commercial sector. Border posts were reopened after the nations worked out their issues. The high prevalence of malaria parasites in Rwanda should be noted by female travelers traveling alone. Sleeping behind a mosquito net sprayed with pesticide is recommended and use insect repellent lotions as necessary.

It is also recommended that travelers avoid drinking tap water and water from lakes, rivers, and streams because they are unsafe. It is only safe to drink water that has been bottled. It is crucial to remember that in order to have a peaceful stay in Rwanda; one must abide by its extremely stringent rules.

Being caught driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offense. Taking pictures of the nation’s military installations is forbidden. The rules on  deploying drones on a Rwandan safari should be carefully reviewed.

In conclusion, women traveling alone are free to schedule their visits to any of Rwanda and Uganda are two nations. They must maintain a low profile and be constantly aware of their surroundings.