
Best time to visit Pian upe wildlife reserve
Best time to visit Pian upe wildlife reserve; Pian upe wildlife reserve is one of the largest protected areas in Uganda located in Karamoja region, northeastern part of Uganda, north of Mount Elgon. Pian upe wildlife reserve covers a total area of 2,788 square kilometers and it’s a home of different wildlife species including buffaloes, elephants, topi, oribi, lions, giraffes, zebras, Jackson’s hartebeest, greater kudus, Uganda kobs, mountain reedbucks, waterbucks, common duikers, klipspringer, spotted hyenas, serval cats, wildcats, jackals, primates like vervet monkeys, olive baboons, Patas monkeys and variety of bird species.
Best time to visit Pian upe wildlife reserve
Pian upe wildlife reserve can be visited all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of January to March or November to December. During the dry season there is less rainfall in the reserve therefore vegetation will be thin which helps you to view different wildlife species clearly and different animals will gather around the water bodies like Girik River to drink water. During the dry season, the reserve management carries out controlled bush burning to keep the grass short therefore you will be able to view wildlife species easily.

The dry season is the best time to visit Pian upe wildlife reserve in that access roads to the reserve and game tracks will be dry and passable compared to the wet season when the game tracks are muddy and impassable due to heavy rainfall and vegetation will be thick which makes Uganda wildlife viewing difficult.
Activities in Pian upe wildlife reserve
Pian upe wildlife reserve offers a number of interesting activities that visitors can engage in during the safari including,
Game drives
Game drive is one of the top activities in Pian upe wildlife reserve where you will be able to explore the park in a comfortable 4 WD safari van with a professional driver guide. During the game drive which can either be done early in the morning or in the afternoon, you will be able to view different animals like elephants, giraffes, lions, roan antelopes, buffaloes, leopards, zebras, Uganda kobs, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, serval cats, Dik Dik, Aardvark, oribi, elands, gazelles, view primates like vervet monkeys, olive baboons, patas monkeys and different bird species.

Bird watching
Pian upe wildlife reserve is one of the top birding destinations in Uganda in that it harbors a wide number of bird species including endemic birds, forest birds and migratory birds. During bird watching, you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species like Ostriches, Karamoja apalis, Secretary bird, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Green pitta, Superb Sterling, Shoebill stork, African hill babbler, Black-throated wattle-eye, Eastern Bronze-napped pigeon, Dusky turtle dove, White headed buffalo weaver, Jackson’s hornbill, Great Hartlaubs Bustard, Fox’s weaver among others.
Nature walks/ hiking
Nature walk/ hiking is an amazing activity in Pian upe wildlife reserve where you will get an opportunity to explore the reserve on foot with the company of an experienced park guide and an armed park ranger to protect you from any danger. During the guided nature walk, you will get up-close and personal with different wildlife species, primate, view different bird species, enjoy the cool and quiet environment, take beautiful pictures, listen to sweet sounds of bird species singing in trees among others.
Community tours
Pian upe wildlife reserve offers the exciting community tour where you will be able to interact with the Karamajong and Kalengin people in the neighboring villages, learn about their culture, tradition, visit their manyatta homesteads, participate in their cultural activities like milking, enjoy their Karamajong dances and marriage ceremonies, visit the Karamoja cultural museum where you will see artifacts that describe the culture of the Karamajong, buy craft souvenirs among others.

How to get to Pian upe wildlife reserve
Pian upe wildlife reserve is located in northeastern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala to the park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
Pian upe wildlife reserve can also be accessed from Kidepo valley national park which takes about 6 hours’ drive and Mbale town which takes about 2 to 3 hours’ drive.
For more information about the best time to visit Pian upe wildlife reserve, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various Uganda safari packages.
