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Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve is one of the spectacular game reserves in Uganda, the best place to experience an authentic African wilderness. The nature reserve features second as the largest protected area in Uganda after Murchison Falls National Park, with a land area measuring 2043 sq. km.
Pian Upe Reserve lies within the Karamoja Region in Northeastern Uganda. The reserve is found in the Nakapiripirit District and hosts diverse animal species. Many other protected areas surround it, like Kidepo Valley National Park, Mt. Elgon National Park, Bokora, and Matheniko Game Reserve.
Pian Upe was designated an animal sanctuary in 1959 and upgraded to a wildlife reserve in the 1960s. Its land area was expanded, covering the Northern side, and this was around 1964 when its name was also changed to the present Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. A proposal was to degazette the protected area around 2003 to allow fruit cultivation, but this was blocked.
Pian Upe Reserve spans 2043 sq. km. and covers northeastern Uganda. Districts like Moroto, Kween, and Napak surround it.
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve has a good animal population, making it an ideal place for game viewing. These include topi, klipspringers, spotted hyenas, buffaloes, leopards, cheetahs, serval cats, roan antelopes, zebras, gazelles, patas monkeys, rock pythons, olive baboons, hedgehogs, porcupines, civets, Uganda Kobs, dik-dik, aardvarks, and many others.
Vegetation: Pian Upe Game Reserve is dominated by woodland and grassland with distinct tree species. It also has the red spike thorns, beard grass, harrisonia abyssinica, shrubs, lemon grass, and others.
Bird species: At Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve, over 242 species of birds exist. These include Jackson’s hornbills, Abyssinian ground hornbills, Karamoja Apalis, fox weaver birds, great hartlaub’s bustards, darters, white-headed buffalo weavers, secretary birds, ostriches, superb starling, and many others.
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is one place you should consider visiting for authentic wilderness experiences. The reserve isn’t fully explored and still offers raw experiences. Here is the list of exciting safari activities to do in Pian Upe Game Reserve;
Bird watching: If you love birding, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is one place in Northeastern Uganda that you should consider a must-visit. You have a chance to see a variety of bird species, especially the endemic species in the semi-arid area. Some birds to expect to find at Pian Upe include Jackson’s hornbills, secretary bird, African eagles, fox weaver bird, white-headed buffalo weaver bird, ostriches, and a lot more.
Game drives: Go game drive in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, and you will have a remarkable chance to see the diversity of animal species. Some of the exciting animals to be spotted in this reserve include cheetahs, the Rothschild giraffes, roan antelopes, zebras, spotted hyenas, elands, hartebeest, Kudus and birds such as ostriches, bustards, secretary birds, to mention but a few.
Rock climbing: Rock climbing is a unique experience that awaits you on the Pian Upe tour. The option is to take the less hard-hike rocks, especially in Mount Kadama and around some of the large rocks in the reserve.
Nature walks: Interact closely with nature at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and explore diverse animal species in their hidden habitats. A nature walk in this game reserve allows you to see birds, reptiles, antelopes, primates, and other species you can’t locate while in a 4x4 safari vehicle.
Cave exploration: Other than wildlife viewing, Pian Upe offers outstanding caving experiences. The must-visit cave in this reserve is the Napendio cave, a sacred place for residents around Pian Upe. You can also visit Napedet cave, a former hunting spot for the Pokot and Karamojong.
Cultural encounter: The dominant tribal groups adjacent to the reserve are the Kalenjin and Karamojong, the renowned nomadic pastoralists. These two tribes live in semi-arid areas and have practised their ancient ways of life. Despite the efforts to introduce modern life, not much has changed in the area.
Pian Upe Game Reserve is best to visit for a safari during the dry months of the year; the dry season in this reserve starts around January, February to March and November and December. The wet months begin in April and October.
Where to stay at Pian Upe Game Reserve (Karamoja)
This reserve doesn’t have many lodges like most parks, but the available ones include four bands operated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Karamoja Overland Camp. The nearby accommodation facilities also exist; you can go camping in the Sipi Falls area.
By road: it is a long day drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, about 9 to 10 hours drive.
By air, you have a shorter hour to spend, and flights take off from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Amudat Airstrip.
Location: Plot 124, Kikumbi
P.O Box 100667, Kampala
+256759033541
+447 572778124
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