Top safari activities to do in Pian Upe Game Reserve
Top safari activities to do in Pian Upe Game Reserve
Top safari activities to do in Pian Upe Game Reserve : Pian Upe game reserve is located in the North Eastern part of Uganda in Nakapiripirit district between Kidepo national park and Mount Elgon national park. Pian Upe game reserve covers a total area of 2,788 square kilometers which makes it the second largest conservation area after Murchison falls national park.
Pian Upe game reserve in comprised of different vegetation types such as grasslands, woodlands and shrubs which act as habitats for wildlife species including elands, zebras, oribi, gazelle, buffaloes, reedbucks, duikers, Dik Dik, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, leopards, roan antelopes, hyenas, serval cats, primates like vervet monkeys, olive baboons, patas monkeys and different bird species such as the ostrich, herons, egrets, hornbills among others.
Top safari activities to do in Pian Upe game reserve
Game drives in Pian Upe game reserve
Game drive is one of the fascinating activities in Pian Upe game reserve where you will get a chance to explore the game reserve in a comfortable 4 WD pop up safari vehicle with a professional driver guide. During the game drive which can either be done early in the morning or in the afternoon you will follow different game tracks which will reward you will beautiful views of animals like buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, reedbucks, roan antelopes, Jacksons hartebeest, oribi, elands, topi, zebras, views of predators like cheetahs, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, civets, serval cats, wildcats among others.
During the game drive you will also be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery, view bird species like secretary birds, yellow billed shrike, ostrich among others.
Bird watching in Pian Upe game reserve
Pian Upe game reserve is a home of more than 240 recorded bird species which makes it one of the best birding areas in Uganda. Bird watching in Pian Upe game reserve is best done in the morning or evening with a well trained bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species such as Karamoja apalis, secretary bird, superb sterling, ostrich, yellow billed shrike, lapwings, pelicans, cormorants, herons, hornbills, crown cranes, owls, weaver birds, vultures, plovers, darters, pelicans, turacos, egrets among others.
Nature walks/ hiking in Pian Upe game reserve
Pian Upe game reserve offers the interesting nature walk where you will get out of the safari vehicle and 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 animals such as zebras, elands, buffaloes, topi, Uganda kobs, primates like vervet monkeys, patas monkeys, olive baboons, view different bird species, enjoy the cool breeze, beautiful scenery, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, view colorful butterflies among others.
Cultural encounters in Pian Upe game reserve
This is an exciting activity where you will get an opportunity to interact with the local people neighboring the game reserve. There are two tribes living close to Pian Upe game reserve for example the Karamajong and Kalenjin therefore during the cultural encounter you will be able to learn about the local peoples culture, tradition, way of living, visit their homesteads, taste their local meals, enjoy their traditional entertainments inform of music, dance and drama, buy craft souvenirs, listen to their ancient stories among others.
Where to stay during your safari in Pian Upe game reserve
There are a number of accommodation facilities in and near Pian Upe game reserve where you can stay during your safari. The accommodations range from luxury, mid-range, budget and campsites including Uganda Wildlife Authority self contained tents or cottages, campsites and lodges at Sipi and Mbale town among others.
Best time to visit Pian Upe game reserve
Pian Upe game reserve can be visited all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less rainfall therefore vegetation will be thin which makes wildlife viewing easy and animals will gather around the water bodies hence making wildlife viewing easy.
How to get to Pian Upe game reserve
Pian Upe game reserve is located in the North Eastern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala or Entebbe to Maruajore headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours drive in a safari vehicle and about 2 to 3 hours drive from Sipi falls to Pian Upe headquarters.
