A Uganda safari in Pian Upe Wildlife Game Reserve

A Uganda safari in Pian Upe Wildlife Game Reserve : Pian Upe wildlife Game Reserve is one of the largest protected wildlife conservation areas in Uganda second only to the Murchison Falls National Park. It is located in the Karamoja region in the northeastern part of Uganda. The reserve covers an area of approximately 2,788 square kilometers and is situated between the remote kidepo valley national park and Mount Elgon National Park. more so, this stunning reserve is also lies at the border of Bokora Game Reserve and Matheniko Game Reserve. The reserve got its name from the two main tribes staying near this stunning wilderness. The Pian who are a sub-division of the Karamojong and the Upe who are a mixture of both the Karamojong and Kalenjin. Pian Upe Wildlife reserve derives its name from these two indigenous African tribes.

Pian Upe Wildlife Game Reserve is one the best destinations in Uganda to see wildlife, the reserve is home to respectable collection of large mammals, birds and reptiles. Tourists can encounter with different such as zebras, elands, gazelles and oribi. Other animals include spotted hyenas, civets, jackals, serval cats, cheetahs, leopards, topi, wildcats, buffaloes, roan antelopes, reedbucks and Duikers, Dik-dik.  The reserve is also home to primates such as vervet monkeys, Olive baboons and patas monkeys and well as different colorful bird species.

Amazing things to do while on a safari in Pian-Upe Wildlife Game Reserve

Birding

Pian Upe wildlife reserve has become one of Uganda’s top birding destinations. The area is home to over 242 species of birds of which 9 are Masai-Somali biome species, making it an attractive destination for bird loves. The mix of habitats in the reserve creates an ideal environment for both common and rare bird species. During your birding tour, you will have the chance to spot different colorful bird species such as rare Ostriches, Karamoja Apalis which is an endemic bird only seen in the north-eastern part of Uganda. Other bird species that you may also spot in the reserve includes Somali-breasted bunting, Bristle-crowned starling, three-streaked tchagra, Hemprich’s hornbill, pink-breasted lark, Acacia tit, Hunter’s sunbird, yellow-billed shrike, yellow-vented eromomela, buff-breasted bustard, Burce’s Green pigeons, red-cheeked cordon-blue, stone partridge, Marico sunbird, African grey hornbill, silver bird, African paradise flycatcher, white-faced whistling ducks among others. Birding in Pian-Upe also offers you with the opportunity e to visit the nearby Lake Bisina-Opeta wetlands famous for the Fox’s weaver, Uganda’s only endemic bird.

Game viewing

When you embark on a safari in Pian-Upe Game Reserve, game viewing should top your list of activities. This activity in this stunning reserve is normally done on a safari open vehicle or a guided nature walks and hike. The park is home to one of the rare animals which are not in other protected areas of Uganda such as cheetah, roan antelope, Grant’s gazelles, Bohor and mountain reedbuck, white-eared Kob, ostrich and Gunther’s dik-dik.  The reserve is encompassed by open grassland plains dotted with volcanic kopjes makes it easy to spot endangered wildlife species.

During your game viewing safari, you’ll have the chance to encounter with incredible wildlife species such as big cats such as the cheetahs, leopards and lions; plains zebras, giraffes, buffalo, eland, impala, ostrich, hartebeest, oribi, klipspringer, waterbucks, Uganda Kob, topi, blue and common duiker among others. You’ll also have the chance to spot primate species including patas monkeys, olive baboons and velvet monkeys as well as different bird species and stunning landscape. Game viewing in Pian-Upe reserve usually take place along the Loporokocho trucks with abundance of grass that attract large mammals and angulates.

Community Visit

Engaging with the local communities around Pian-Upe Game Reserve offers an enriching experience beyond wildlife. A visit to a nearby Karamojong village allows you to learn about the traditional life of the people who call this region home. This indigenous people have a well-preserved culture and tradition that is thrilling to experience even though they are branded to be hostile in the early days of their settlement. During your cultural visit, you’ll have the chance to engage in a variety of traditional activities such as cultural music, dance, and drama performance by the local people most especially the popular Edonga dance.

On your lucky visit, you might visit the kraal, where you will have the chance to participate in milking, visit their homes (Manyatta’s), storytelling with the harders/ elders, attend their traditional marriages and opportunity to learn about there history and culture among others. By participating in these experiences, you contribute to sustainable tourism, supporting local livelihoods while creating lasting connections. This interaction enriches your safari, bringing a human touch to the adventure and deepening your appreciation of the area.

Mountain Hiking

For those seeking a bit of adventure, mountain hiking in and around Pian-Upe Game Reserve is an exhilarating option. The trails offer breathtaking views an endless flow of Savannah plains, scattered with Acacias and Sausage trees and rocky ridges. More so, the landscape is encompassed the stunning distant hills and mountains perfect for hiking safaris such as Mount Kadam, Mount Napak, and Mount Elgon. one of the most hiking trails in this remarkable reserve is the hike to Mount Kadam. For more adventurous, you can also embark on a hike to Napedet cave, where you’ll be greeted with the sight of the ancient arts of the animals and humans. During the hike, you’ll also be delighted with the sight to wildlife species such as reptile species such as African rock python, puff adders and savannah lizards among others.

Packing list for a safari to Pian Upe Wildlife Game Reserve

If you are planning on camping, you should carry all the necessary camping gear for example kitchenware, tent, bedding, and other things that you might also use on a daily. Tourists are recommended to carry essential items such as camera and binoculars to capture the stunning moments, Insect repellent, sunscreen, sunhat, good hiking, boots, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, torch, Portable charger and Toiletries among others.

Best accommodation facilities of Pian-Upe Wildlife Game Reserve

Pian Upe wildlife reserve does not have a lot of accommodations since it is still under development. You can also sleep Karamoja Overland Camp, the camp features self-contained containing en-suite facilities such as showers, electricity. The most popular accommodation is at the Headquarters in form of 4 Bandas named after some of the animals which can be found here.

How to get Pian-Upe Wildlife Game Reserve

Pian Upe Wildlife Game Reserve is accessed in both air transport, means and road transport means

 By air

Air transport means is the quickest means of reaching to this remote reserve. You can arrange your domestic chartered flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala to adjacent airstrips such as Moroto Airstrip or Amudat Airstrip.  And then connect to the reserve on road means. This Charter flights provide a faster and more convenient alternative, particularly for individuals with limited time.

 By road

 Alternatively, you can drive from the capital city of Kampala passing via eastern route to Pian Upe Wildlife Game Reserve. You can also drive from Moroto through the Namalu trading center to the Game reserve.