Pian Upe Game Reserve – Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Uganda
Pian Upe Game Reserve or Wildlife Reserve lies within the remote semi-arid plains of North-eastern Uganda and extends for an area of 2043 square kilometers making it the largest Wildlife Reserve and second-largest Protected Area in the country after Murchison Falls National Park.
This vast Wildlife Reserve together with Bokora Corridor and Matheniko Wildlife Reserves as well as Mount Elgon National Park make up the great Mount Elgon Conservation Area that is together managed by UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority).
Established as a Game Reserve in 1964, Pian Upe Game Reserve is about 8-9 hours’ drive from the Capital (Kampala), only 3 hours’ drive from the spectacular Sipi falls, 5 hours’ drive from the Kidepo Valley National Park and only 90 kilometers from the beautiful town of Mbale, hence making it exciting for tourists to visit and explore other tourist sites as well.
Wildlife in Pian Upe Game Reserve
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is undeniably remote but endowed with charming wildlife species spread across its vast landscape-savannah, woodland, rock kopjes, and hills.
These varying ecosystems favor the survival and thriving of Cape buffaloes, civets, leopards, Aardvarks, African hares, spotted hyenas, zebras, common elands, vervet monkeys, cheetahs, Jackson’s hartebeests, Uganda kobs, oribis, Mountain reedbucks, grant’s gazelles, Defassa waterbucks, duikers, striped hyenas, jackals, Rock hyrax, Dik-dik, serval cats, crested porcupines, klipspringers, impalas, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, and many others.
Reptiles such as African Rock pythons, savannah monitors and crocodiles are found in Pian Upe’s River Girik.
Birds of Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Pian Upe’s vast and unique landscape makes it a home to over 250 unique bird species that include the Somali Ostriches, secretary birds, Fox weaver birds, and many others.
Things/Activities to do in Pian Upe Game Reserve
Game drives
Game drives with customized 4WD Vehicles through some of the Reserve’s designated game tracks rewards tourists with the views of the rare wildlife species such as zebras, Rothschild giraffes, Roan antelopes, buffaloes, cheetahs, Uganda kobs, elands and waterbucks among others.
Bird Watching (Birding)
Pian Upe Game Reserve is one of Uganda’s endowed birding Paradises with rare species such as the Somali Ostriches only found in two places in the country.
Guided nature walks
Guided nature walks allow tourists to get up-close with nature-tree species, wildlife, and communities through Cultural walks.
Mountain climbing
Mountain climbing is another activity organized for tourists who visit Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. Climbing Mount Kadam is so far the most popular in the area.
Cave exploration
Your visit to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve leads you to an old Cave adjacent to the locals of the area known as “Napendio” Cave. This Cave holds a significant history, given the fact that it used to be a recreational place for art drawings.
Best time to visit Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve can be visited all year round although it is situated within a semi-arid area with one main rainy season that is usually avoided for safaris.
This vast Protected Area is endowed with endless beauty that needs a minimum of two days to explore to ultimate satisfaction.
The drier months of December, January, February, June, July, August, and September are however the best vegetation is shorter making it easier and more interesting to see wildlife around the main water drinking points.
The rainy months of March, April, May, October, and November are avoided because roads, paths and game tracks tend to be muddy and impassable while the vegetation is also taller and thicker hence making wildlife spotting more difficult.
How to get to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Pian Upe Game Reserve is about 8-9 hours’ drive from Kampala City and can be reached through road and air transport. For air transport, flights are organized to the nearest operational airstrip in Amudat then head to the Reserve by road.
Pian Upe’s perfect location makes it easier to be accessed through different Towns of Mbale, Moroto, Kapchorwa, and Kotido. The Southern part of the Reserve can be accessed from Mbale Town through Chepsikunya Trading Center while the northern side from Moroto Town through Namalu Trading Center.
Book Yourself Uganda Safari to Pian Upe
