The United Kingdom has updated its travel guidance for Western Uganda, lifting restrictions on travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Semliki National Park, including the area immediately south-west of Kasese Municipality.
In its latest advisory, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) removed the previous advice against all but essential travel to these major tourism destinations. The update reflects ongoing assessments of conditions in the region.
The FCDO notes that local authorities have enhanced security deployments in the area and continue to conduct operations to ensure stability. The agency advises travelers and residents to maintain awareness of their surroundings and to cooperate fully with Uganda’s security agencies.
Emphasizing its commitment to providing timely information, the FCDO stated that its guidance is designed to help travelers make informed decisions, particularly in regions where operational conditions can evolve. The lifting of the advisory is a positive development for Uganda's tourism sector in the region.
About the parks
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular and biodiverse safari destination, offering breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. Straddling the equator, the park features monuments marking the exact spot where it crosses latitude 00, adding to its uniqueness.
Originally founded as Kazinga National Park in 1952, it was renamed in 1954 to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II of England. Today, it stands as one of Africa’s greatest wildlife havens, home to over 95 mammal species and an astonishing 600+ bird species—making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers some of the best game viewing in Uganda. The park is one of the few places in the world where lions climb trees, particularly in Ishasha, where they perch in fig trees, waiting to ambush unsuspecting Uganda kobs.
Meanwhile, the Semliki region is a remarkable ecological and cultural crossroads, offering a distinct "taste of East and Central Africa." Its centerpiece is a vast lowland tropical rainforest, a lush world teeming with unique life. This biodiversity hotspot is a premier destination for birders, harboring over 440 species—including many Guinea-Congo biome birds found nowhere else in East Africa.
Beyond the avian spectacle, visitors can experience the geothermal wonders of the Sempaya Hot Springs, where bubbling geysers and steaming pools are famously hot enough to cook plantains and eggs. Guided nature walks and game drives in the adjacent Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve offer encounters with over 50 mammal species, from chimpanzees and red-tailed monkeys to forest elephants and buffalo.
Complementing the natural wealth are profound cultural encounters with local communities, including the Bamba, Bakonjo, Batuku, and the indigenous Batwa pygmies, providing deep insight into the region's rich heritage.
