On 2 December 2025, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel guidance for Uganda.
It officially lifted the advisory that previously warned against the “all but essential travel” to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) and Semuliki National Park.
This update now places both parks back within the UK’s standard advisory status for Uganda, permitting everyday travel.
The advisory lift follows a detailed review of the security environment in western Uganda.
British officials assessed the situation in consultation with local authorities, national security organs, and tourism stakeholders. If you visit the official FCDO page, you will notice that Queen Elizabeth and Semuliki have been removed from the restricted list after a positive risk re-evaluation.
Previously, these parks have been flagged for safety concerns all due to a security incident in October 2023 in Kasese District.
The incident involved a fatal attack, prompting immediate caution. For close to a year (12 months), the advisory had its not so positive impact on bookings, insurance access, and operator operations across the region.
Now that the restriction has been lifted, UK nationals can travel to QENP and Semuliki without contravening government travel advice.
This move is expected to restore market confidence, facilitate smoother approvals for travel insurance, and re-energise Uganda’s inbound safari segment.
The FCDO still advises visitors to remain alert in areas near the Uganda–DRC border. However, the broad signal is clear: with this latest update, the United Kingdom recognises both Queen Elizabeth and Semuliki as viable and accessible destinations for international safaris.
Why the advisory existed
The previous advisory stemmed from an incident that took place on 17 October 2023, when suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants attacked a tourist group inside Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Two foreign nationals and one Ugandan were killed. This was a high-profile case that triggered immediate global concern, prompting multiple governments, including the UK, to review their travel advisories for western Uganda.
The ADF, an armed group with origins in western Uganda but currently operating mainly from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has long been linked to sporadic cross-border violence. Although Ugandan security forces have on many and countless occasions conducted follow-up operations and reinforced patrols in national parks, the FCDO maintained a high threat assessment throughout 2024.
Consequently, the UK government issued a formal warning advising against all but essential travel to the affected parks.
This created a significant and evident disruption.
Queen Elizabeth and Semuliki National Parks had been core components of western safari itineraries. And this is especially for visitors interested in lion tracking, chimpanzee viewing, and birdwatching.
During this period, tour operators faced cancellations, and insurers denied coverage for bookings in flagged areas.
Many bookings were diverted to alternative parks.
This included but was not limited to Murchison Falls or Kibale Forest, which remained outside the restricted zones.
That said, security improvements was introduced across Kasese and Bundibugyo districts throughout late 2024 and 2025. Joint military-police operations, community surveillance initiatives, and inter-agency intelligence sharing gradually reduced the perceived threat.
Nevertheless, the travel advisory remained in place until a full review was completed in late 2025.
It is within this historical context that the December 2025 reversal becomes significant.
The FCDO’s decision signals a formal acknowledgment that security conditions in the two parks have stabilised to a level deemed safe.
Improvements made
Following the October 2023 incident, Ugandan authorities initiated extensive security operations.
These efforts included joint deployments by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Tourism Police, and park wardens under the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Special attention was given to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the attack occurred.
In the months that followed, coordination between local communities, security agencies, and tourism stakeholders intensified.
Regular patrols, checkpoint installations, and surveillance systems were reintroduced or upgraded in and around protected areas.
These measures formed part of Uganda’s internal risk mitigation strategy, but they also supported the case for policy revision by international partners.
Key operational improvements that supported the advisory lift:
- Multi-agency deployments: The UPDF, Uganda Police, and Tourism Protection Unit established joint mobile patrols inside both QENP and Semuliki.
- Permanent security posts: New posts were constructed along key tourism corridors, especially near park entry gates and border-sensitive locations.
- Improved intelligence-sharing: Security services introduced monthly briefings with park management and tour operators, especially in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts.
- Emergency response protocols: Local lodges were given updated response frameworks in case of incidents, including radio links to ranger posts.
- Screening and access control: Identity verification and vehicle inspections became standard at several park entrances, especially at Kazinga Channel and Kasesero.
- Stakeholder confidence building: The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities held roundtable engagements with UK high commission staff and sector representatives.
What this means for prospective tourists and Tour Operators
For Tourists
With Queen Elizabeth and Semuliki National Parks now cleared for regular travel, UK citizens can once again include these locations in their itineraries without triggering advisory-related exclusions.
This status simplifies visa processing, reopens access to travel insurance policies that cover leisure in previously restricted zones, and provides greater peace of mind during the planning process.
These two parks represent vital components of Uganda’s western tourism circuit.
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers lion monitoring experiences, boat-based wildlife observation along the Kazinga Channel, and significant ungulate sightings in Kasenyi.
Semuliki, on the other hand, provides forest-based excursions, sulphuric hot springs, and high-value primate walks.
Most importantly, the reinstatement enables package consolidation.
Clients can now combine Murchison, Kibale, Queen, Semuliki, and Bwindi into cohesive circuits without geographical disruption.
This supports longer stays, multi-park combinations, and improved per-capita tourism spend.
Now that Queen Elizabeth and Semuliki are accessible, routes can link:
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Kibale Forest (chimpanzees)
- Queen Elizabeth (lion tracking, Kazinga Channel)
- Semuliki (forest walks, hot springs)
- Bwindi (gorilla tracking)
This corridor is best done in a clockwise circuit beginning in Entebbe, using either overland transfers or domestic flights (Aerolink, Bar Aviation).
That said, the advisory lift is not an invitation for complacency.
As a tourist, you should book through licensed operators, stay up to date, and remain aware of security notices, especially in border-adjacent sectors.
For Tour Operators and Lodges
The lifting of the UK advisory has regulatory and commercial effects that extend deep into booking pipelines.
British travel insurers typically deny coverage for regions listed under “all but essential travel” guidance.
This limited agents’ and DMCs’ ability to build or confirm trips that included the western parks.
Now, agencies can reinstate suspended itineraries, rebuild partnership frameworks, and reintegrate these destinations into familiar East African routes.
Safari lodges in Mweya, Ishasha, and Semuliki core zones are already reopening dates previously blocked out due to low demand.
However, companies should still factor in compliance safeguards.
Terms and conditions may need revision to account for residual regional caution. Staff refresher training on emergency protocols, cross-operator coordination, and updated route risk maps will remain part of operational hygiene for some time.
Overall, the December 2025 advisory update removes the most significant institutional obstacle affecting western Uganda’s safari economy since late 2023.
Stakeholders would be well advised to treat this as a strategic reset moment, not simply a return to business as usual.
What to look out for as we go forward
Border sensitivity remains
Despite the lifted advisory, the UK government continues to flag areas near the Uganda–DRC border. This includes regions west of Bwera and any site adjacent to Virunga or North Kivu. Park authorities discourage unauthorised movements near these zones. Most reputable operators have updated routing to avoid direct exposure.
ADF threat not neutralised
The Allied Democratic Forces remain a priority concern for Ugandan and Congolese forces. While no incidents have occurred in QENP or Semuliki since 2023, intelligence reports still classify the wider border region as vulnerable. Mission-supported patrols continue in the Kasese–Bwera–Ishasha belt.
Monitoring and embassy coordination
Tourism operators are advised to remain in touch with embassies and consular support lines. The UK and US missions continue to issue periodic situational updates. Clients with group bookings may request embassy pre-clearance support or receive alert subscription links before departure.
Legal and operational compliance
Stay updated on Uganda Wildlife Authority protocols, especially for lion tracking or off-road access permits. In Semuliki, forest access hours and guide ratios may change during audit periods or storm alerts. Consult the UWA offices at Ntandi or Fort Portal before dispatch.
Insurance policy updates
Although the advisory has been lifted, not all insurers have updated their underwriter rules. Some still classify Queen Elizabeth and Semuliki as “borderline risk zones.” Check if your client’s policy includes natural disaster clauses, vehicle recovery terms, and emergency coordination details.
Tourism’s stabilising role
This reopening carries broader significance. Reengaging international tourism in these zones also supports park conservation budgets, staff retention, and nearby livelihood systems. That said, expansion should be paired with risk-sensitive planning. Avoid overexposing first-time clients to regions with a fluctuating security curve.
And let’s be honest. Planning on paper is one thing. Adapting to actual field conditions is another. Tour operators and even you, as a tourist, should build backup plans into your program, not as a panic option, but as a sign of competence.