View Full Version : Uganda Mountain Trekking Vacation
FlagDayNCO
09-01-2015, 19:47
No kidding, we have an Associate booking a mountain climbing vacation to Uganda, and they need a travel assessment/ security briefing. Well, we pulled the usual info from US DoS, as well as UK and CA (Traveler is a Canadian).
The mountain climbing expedition is operated by an internationally known/ very reputable company, that provides local guides and support for each trip. The expedition will take place near the Dem Rep of Congo, so the usual suspects and security concerns are known.
The traveler is going on vacation, not official business, so there will be no security detail. We're only providing a brief as a courtesy, and I've already asked if they couldn't find a mountain here to climb, instead. Maybe Mount Mc... Oh, missed it before the name changed.
One question I have is this:
The female traveler is going with their husband. They are an interracial couple (he's black) and the concern is will they get any crap for this in Uganda? He's Prior Service Regular Army and thought they may run into some problems from the local nationals.
Anyone have any input/ knowledge from the region they would be willing to share?
Thank you in advance,
Now back to discussing the insurgency.
I haven't a clue of the current security state in Uganda.
I have climbed in Kenya and Tanzania.
The infrastructure around Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro would be better developed relatively speaking.
I'd try to shape the, to places like Mt Meru and Kili if possible.
Kili is very well known and becoming common.
Meru less so.
Easy to get to from Arusha airport,
Challenging scramble depending on time.
The more time you have, the easier it is. Suits mountain /trek scramblers from newbie(4-5 days) to very experienced (24-48 hours),
Not so much an answer, but a valid and relatively more secure option.
Arrogance and stupid combined usually crashes and burns. What compelling reason would you take your wife or anyone you love to a region so unstable?
What Penn said..
Prognosis: FAIL
:munchin
mark46th
09-10-2015, 08:03
I have a family member who was living in Kenya. They just moved back to the states because of the instability.
Team Sergeant
09-10-2015, 08:34
1978 I was headed there with 500 others from the 1-505 PIR.....:munchin
Then, to our dismay, they cancelled the party.
All you "kids" can goggle : "General Idi Amin Dada" to understand this post.
Badger52
09-10-2015, 13:44
As if Uganda isn't pristine enough, did they also read the rosy travel briefing from the Brandy-snifting folks at Foggy Bottom for the adjacent DRC?
This is in YGBSM territory.
:rolleyes:
Do these folks have KRE insurance? If not, I would push that button to try to discourage their travel plans.
Leozinho
09-10-2015, 19:42
Arrogance and stupid combined usually crashes and burns. What compelling reason would you take your wife or anyone you love to a region so unstable?
To go trekking to see mountain gorillas and whitewater kayak the headwaters of the Nile?
Or you can stay on the couch watching American Idol and eat at Applebee's with the rest of Generic America.
Everyone has different tolerance for risk.
I was in Kenya right before the embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; was interviewed/met with the CoS, whose brother just happened to run a company that set up refugee camps....We had Masai as bodyguards with us 24/7.
Lived in a walled compound with Iron wood bedroom doors that were further secured on the inside with bars that you locked at night, basically imprisoning yourself in a room with a hide space. It got my attention...Nairobi was challenging.
I was treated to a safari, with the distinct pleasure of traveling by truck from Nairobi to the Plains of Kenya just as the migration started. It was an interesting kidney jarring ride, stayed several days there, before flying back to Nairobi in a private C172RG. Concerned for my daughter's safety, I turned down the job offer. And it was a serious offer.
All travel arraignments were booked out of Canada.
Risk assessment and tolerance? Well, who can predict the future.
Most of us don't fall into that category - but never grow old and sit there in your rocker on the porch with your grand kids in you lap and say "I wished I'd have done something exciting in my life."
With that said I don't think I'd plan a trip to the North African coast or Red Sea area any time soon.
The odds are in your favor - just keep your eyes open and be aware at all times.
LeapingGnome
09-14-2015, 05:58
Additionally, from your original question, the mixed race couple thing is not an issue there.
FlagDayNCO
09-14-2015, 18:00
Thanks to the many comments that supported what I already told her. As one mentioned, they travel the world seeking adventure; they don't si and grow old. He already retired from military with many combat tours under his belt as an infantry officer. He won't have a couple platoons to protect him now.
Their most compelling concern is the mixed race marriage thing, as they had a foul experience in another African nation.
Yes, SHE is covered under our K&R policy, but HE is not.