Specialist Africa tour operator Rainbow Tours has reinstated two national parks in its Uganda portfolio following a change in Foreign Office advice.
On Tuesday (December 2), the FCDO said that it no longer advises against all but essential travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the area immediately south-west of Kasese town, or to Semuliki National Park.
Rainbow said the warnings had been in place for more than two years, so news that tourism is once again possible to these “beautiful regions of Uganda has been warmly welcomed by the Rainbow team and their clients”.
Derek Schuurman, product manager for Madagascar and alternative Africa at Rainbow, commented: “The Queen Elizabeth National Park is a great addition to any Uganda itinerary as it offers amazing wildlife viewing opportunities to complement a gorilla tracking experience.”
The operator noted that it refers to the other park as Semliki based on local context and the name of the lodge that it features.
“Semliki offers something a bit more offbeat and is an excellent choice for its lakes, hot springs and the easternmost reaches of the great Guinea-Congo rainforest block,” added Schuurman.
“These regions have been off sale for too long, so we are pleased to be able to send travellers back.”
Candice Buchan, head of Rainbow, added: “As well as being delighted for UK holidaymakers, we’re also so pleased for our partners in Uganda. There are some really lovely lodges in these areas that offer a variety of activities and have been so negatively impacted by the FCDO advice, so we will be happy to be supporting them once again.”
Rainbow has spaces on its small group tour, ‘Uganda Gorilla & Game Safari’, departing Heathrow on December 12. The nine-night trip includes Bwindi First National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Mweya Peninsula and Kyamburu Gorge.
Rainbow includes Semliki on request as part of its tailormade portfolio, with properties including the upmarket Semliki Safari Lodge.
