DIY RAPID COVID-19 TEST KITS GET A BIG THUMBS UP

Concerns over having to spend time and money on COVID-19 tests for their return to the US has prompted many vaccinated Americans to stay at home rather than come and visit Africa on safari. However, as two of our wonderful American guests Sarah and Annie Stavros, from Colorado, demonstrated recently at Baobab Ridge, the test required for re-entry into the US has never been easier!

Sisters Sarah and Annie spent the last three nights of their 12-day South African safari with us in the Klaserie, braving an unseasonal cold snap that saw all of us have to grab our fleeces and beanies - unheard of in October in the Greater Kruger! The day before their departure and flight home, they showed all of us just how easy it is to travel during a pandemic, thanks to the Abbott BinaxNOW test kits they brought with them.

"They cost $150 for six test kits, and work in conjunction with the NAVICA app," explains Sarah. "Abbott recommends each traveller bring two test kits for each test, just in case something goes wrong with one," she adds. The NAVICA app is free to download on both the Google Play store and Apple App Store. 

When you are ready to take a test, using the app you link via a video call with one of the NAVICA health team who walk you through the test process, using visual identification and QR codes. The test process takes approximately five minutes, via live video, with another 15-minutes waiting for the result. When the results are ready, the app reconnects the video call and a QR code is forwarded to the tester and to the airline they are using to fly home on (in this case, United).

The whole process takes between 20 and 30 minutes before the test results are forwarded, whereafter they can be printed if required. "This has been the easiest process ever," says Sarah. "All you need is wifi and a few minutes to complete the test process." 

"Having these tests has removed the stress from travelling for us," says Anne as she waits for her test results. "We knew that getting tested for the return leg of our journey could prove both costly and time-consuming, especially in remote places like Baobab Ridge and other safari destinations that are often far from the nearest human settlement. So when we found out about the Abbott test kits and the NAVICA app and how easy they were to use, it seemed the ideal solution to the problem. Now I've gone through the process, it's just so easy it's a no-brainer," she laughs. 

Anne's phone buzzes as the NAVICA app springs to life and the video call is re-activated. The test team member who helped her go through the test process comes back on the line. "Thank you for waiting, Anne, your test results are negative. The results will now be emailed to you and will also be available in the app where you can easily share them with your airline and immigration officials," says the NAVICA operative. Anne's phone pings as the email arrives in her inbox and in the app, to be greeted with a mile-wide smile. "Wow, how seamless was that?" says Anne, delighted at the outcome. 

She and Sarah print their results on the Baobab Ridge office printer just in case they're needed in hard copy format. "Now we can relax and enjoy the last day of our safari without having to worry about tests," says Sarah. "So there really is no reason for anyone to stay at home and miss out on travelling to South Africa," she laughs.

(Please note: The test kits are ideal for American travellers on a single-country safari. For safari itineraries that feature more than one country, PCR tests are currently still required between countries.)