It’s sensational to hear that the UK’s travel advisory for Queen Elizabeth National Park and Semuliki National Park has been lifted after a period of about two years, paving the way for tourists to resume wonderful Uganda safari tours.

For a period of two years, there has been a serious security improvement in the two Uganda national parks, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Semuliki National Park, after the British government imposed a travel ban that stopped its citizens from visiting these parks.

With the travel ban removed, UK travelers can now visit the two safari parks with confidence.

The History of the Travel Advisory on Queen Elizabeth NP and Semuliki NP

The British government previously advised against all but essential travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) and Semuliki National Park due to security concerns and the high threat of terrorist attacks, following the deadly attack on two tourists and their guide.

The attack was done on the British man, David Barlow, his South African wife, Emmaretia Geyer, who where honeymoon, and their travel guide, Eric Alyai, on 17 October 2023, while on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park by an ADF rebel.

Following the killing of tourists, the UK government issued a travel advisory restricting tourists from visiting Queen Elizabeth NP and Semuliki National Park for a Uganda wildlife safari, citing security concerns.

An Overview of Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Queen Elizabeth National Park is in western Uganda in the Kasese, Kamwenge, and Rubirizi districts, covering an area of about 1978 km². It is famed for its diverse wildlife, including the tree-climbing lions.

Things to See in Queen Elizabeth National Park 

• Stunning landscape
• Diverse wildlife, including over 95 mammal species
• Over 600 bird species
• Kazinga Channel
• Numerous plant species
• Traditional dances

Things to Do in Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Game drives
• Nature walks
• Storytelling
• Bird watching
• Cultural tours

Best Time to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park 

The best time to visit QENP is during the drier months (June to August and December to February). During this time, the roads leading to the park are dry, and the dry ground makes it easy to conduct game drives and other outdoor activities.

However, some tourists visit QENP during the wet season, especially birders and those with a low budget.

An Overview of Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is situated in the Bundibugyo District in western Uganda, nestled in the Albertine Rift Valley, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This park was established in, and it covers an area of 220 km².

Things To See in Semuliki National Park

• Sempaya hot springs
• Semuliki River
• Numerous primate species, e.g., vervet monkeys, olive baboons, etc.
• Other wildlife species, including over 53 mammal species, including forest elephants, hippos, waterbucks, warthogs, etc.
• Over 400 bird species
• Over 336 tree species

Things To Do at Semuliki National Park 

Interesting things to do include visiting the Sempaya hot springs, nature walks, game drives, primate tracking, game viewing, and bird watching, among others.

Best Time to Visit Semuliki National Park

The best time to visit Semuliki National Park is during the dry season (June to August and December to February).

During this time, many wildlife species gather around the water points, making game viewing easy. However, some tourists can visit the park during the wet season (March to May and September to November), especially those interested in birding.

The Cost of the Travel Warning on Uganda’s Tourism Industry

The 70% Drop in UK Visitor Numbers: The issuing of travel advisories led to a reduction in the number of UK visitors taking up a Uganda tour, since QENP, one of the most popular travel destinations, had restrictions.

Damage to the National Reputation: Uganda had earlier been known as one of the safest countries to visit when on an African tour; however, the issuing of the travel advisory damaged the country’s reputation.

Loss of Revenue: The reduction in UK travelers booking for safaris to Uganda in parks like QENP and Semuliki NP directly impacted the foreign exchange earnings and Uganda’s GDP.

Job Losses: The issuing of the travel advisory greatly contributed to the loss of jobs, especially those working in hospitality, transport, guidance services, and many other businesses reliant on tourism.

How Lifting the UK Travel Ban Will Boost Uganda’s Tourism?

• Increase in Visitor Numbers: Tour operators expect a significant increase in the number of British tourists, which will be a comeback from the sharp decline of about 70% in bookings. More bookings are expected in Uganda gorilla tours, birding safaris in Uganda, and wildlife tours, among other safaris.
• Increase in Foreign Exchange Earnings: The tourism sector greatly contributes to Uganda’s economy, and its direct contribution to Uganda’s GDP was 3.2% in 2024. With an increase in visitor numbers because of lifting the travel ban, the revenue from safaris in Uganda Africa is expected to increase significantly.
• Increase in Job Creation: The increased revenue is expected to be used to create more jobs within the tourism industry and in other related fields.
• Spillover Effect: The great decision made to lift the travel ban is expected to have a positive spillover effect, encouraging other international markets to also remove their advisories to boost domestic and East African regional tourism.
• Confidence Restoration: The removal of the UK travel ban is expected to trigger a broader return of confidence, encouraging visitors from other countries to reconsider Uganda as a safe destination for an enriching African safari experience.

This powerful endorsement also complements the Ugandan government’s robust initiatives to improve safety, enhance visitor experiences, market the country internationally, and upgrade key tourism infrastructure.

Conclusion

With the lifting of the travel advisory for Queen Elizabeth National Park and Semuliki National Park, Uganda remains a safe place to visit. Book your safari to Uganda now and get an opportunity to enjoy the wildlife encounters coupled with other safari experiences