Big smiles all round – on 2 December 2025, the UK government quietly updated its travel advice and lifted the “avoid all but essential travel” warning for Queen Elizabeth National Park and Semuliki National Park in Uganda. After two tough years, British travellers (and everyone who follows the FCDO advice) can finally return to two of Uganda’s most loved wildlife gems for a remarkable Uganda tour.
Located in southwestern Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park covers 1,978 km² between the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Edward. Established in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, it was renamed after Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 1954. It is one of Uganda’s most diverse and popular wildlife destinations.
Highlights worth seeing during Uganda wildlife safaris include the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha sector, the hippo-filled Kazinga Channel, dramatic explosion craters, chimpanzee troops in Kyambura Gorge, scenic Lake George and Lake Edward, salt lakes, and an extraordinary 600+ bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.
Visitors can enjoy morning and night game drives, boat safaris on Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, lion tracking experiences, hot-air balloon safaris, guided nature walks, birding excursions, and cultural encounters with local communities, and visits to the dramatic explosion craters.
The park offers a wide range of lodging for travelers on a safari to Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth NP: luxury options like Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, and Mazike Valley Lodge; mid-range favorites such as Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Katara Lodge, and Kasenyi Safari Camp; and budget-friendly choices including bandas, tented camps, and community guesthouses.
The best time for a Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth Park, Uganda, is during the dry seasons: June–September and December–February. These months provide excellent wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources, roads and trails remain accessible, vegetation is less dense for clearer sightings, and chimpanzee tracking is easier and more rewarding.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is reachable by a scenic 7–8-hour drive (approximately 420 km) from Kampala via Mbarara and Bushenyi. Alternatively, daily scheduled or charter flights land at Mweya Airstrip (northern sector) or Kihihi Airstrip (for the Ishasha sector) in just 1–1.5 hours from Entebbe International Airport.
Semuliki National Park, covering 220 km² in Bundibugyo District, lies along Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Protected since 1932 and gazetted as a national park in 1993, it preserves Uganda’s only true lowland tropical rainforest and an extension of the vast Ituri Forest.
Key attractions seen by tourists visiting this park on a Uganda trip include the dramatic male and female Sempaya hot springs (hot enough to boil eggs), rare Central African bird species (over 400 recorded), forest elephants, pygmy hippos, red-tailed and colobus monkeys, the Semuliki River, and unique flora found nowhere else in East Africa.
Popular activities include guided nature walks to the steaming Sempaya hot springs, specialist birdwatching tours, primate tracking, cultural visits to the Batwa (pygmy) communities, thrilling night walks to spot nocturnal creatures, and hikes along the Semuliki River trails.
Options are limited but comfortable: the luxurious Semuliki Safari Lodge (the only upmarket property with tented suites), mid-range Kirumia Guesthouse near the park boundary, and simple, budget-friendly UWA bandas and campsites at Bumaga for an authentic forest experience.
The ideal periods to go to Semuliki National Park for a safari in Uganda are the dry seasons of June–August and December–February. During these months, trails are less muddy, hiking to the hot springs is easier, birding and primate viewing improve, and wildlife is more visible around water sources despite the dense rainforest setting.
Semuliki is reached via a 2–3-hour (52 km) scenic but bumpy drive from Fort Portal town on a murram road. Alternatively, charter flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi land at Semuliki Airstrip (30 minutes from the park headquarters). Most visitors combine it with Kibale or Queen Elizabeth parks.
In October 2023, suspected ADF rebels tragically killed two tourists and their guide just outside Queen Elizabeth NP. The UK immediately slapped on the strongest possible warning, which also covered Semuliki Game Park because of its proximity to the Congo border.
Uganda safari companies like
These operators above are already updating Uganda tour packages, so contact them now and let them tailor the best safari tours to these destinations.
Conclusion
The green light from the UK feels like someone just switched the lights back on for Uganda safari tours. Whether you dream of Uganda gorilla trekking followed by climbing lions in trees, or hot springs in ancient rainforest, the Pearl of Africa is ready and waiting for you to book that safari to Uganda.
Call us now and let us tailor the best Uganda safari for you to create lasting memories in these gems!
Cate
Samuel
Situated in the heart of East Africa, Uganda is a land of staggering contrasts. From the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains to the vast, wildlife-rich plains of the Great Rift Valley, the biodiversity here is unmatched.
As you browse our safaris to Uganda and Africa at large, our dedicated team is here to handle every logistical detail—from securing your gorilla tracking permits and arranging comfortable safari lodge accommodations to providing rugged 4x4 transport. Contact our expert planners today to begin designing your 2026 or 2027 East African adventure.
