Explore The Pian Upe Game Reserve

Located in the North Eastern Part of Uganda, Pian Upe Game Reserve is an exceptional safari destination to explore while on holiday vacation in Uganda. The wildlife reserve was founded in 1958 and covers an area of 2,788 square kilometers with diverse terrain landscapes, rich biodiversity very exceptional for all travelers to explore.

Pian Upe Game Reserve comprises of varying topography inclusive of open savannahs, rolling hills, rocky outcrops and semi-arid areas. The reserve borders the vast Kidepo Valley National Park to the northeast and the Karamoja region to the west. There are various habitats for different wildlife species that are watched in the Reserve.

Features in the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

• Savannah Grasslands which stretch covering a large part of the reserve providing ideal grazing grounds for herbivores.
• Rocky Outcrops and Hills which include many rocky outcrops and rolling hills that are so scenic to views as well as many bird species.
• Woodlands and Forest Patches with scattered woodlands and forested regions that inhabit many  wildlife animals.

Flora and Fauna

Fauna

Pian Upe Game Reserve inhabits many wildlife animals which include; Mammals, Rothschild’s giraffes, Elephants, antelope species like the eland, kob, and waterbuck, etc as well as the elusive Jackson’s hartebeest. There are predators like lions, hyenas and leopards. There are also many bird species i.e more than 250 species recorded including the secretary bird, Nubian bustard and the black-breasted barbet. There are also reptiles and insects, i.e lizards, snakes and butterflies.

Flora

Pian Upe Game Reserve includes flora like Acacia Trees which can be seen in the savannah providing shade for the herbivores, Grasslands and Shrublands and Woodlands which offer shade for candid wildlife animals.

How To Visit Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve?

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is located in the North Eastern Part of Uganda requiring travelers to transfer for a period of 8 to 9 hours’ drive from Kampala through Mbale and Soroti towns. From Mbale Town, the reserve is situated about 90 kilometers.

You can also prefer to fly from the Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip in a domestic flight to the Airstrip located at Amudat and this takes you a period of 3-4 hours’ drive to reach Pian Upe which is a semi-arid forest.

Climate of the Region

During the rainy season, the wildlife reserve receives heavy rainfall with changes in climate as follows.

January to March

This is the dry season and the vegetation is dry making you have clear views and photos of the wildlife animals.

April to October

During this time of the month there is abundant rainfall making the roads muddy and growth of grass hence making navigation challenging as you move from one track to another watching wildlife animals.

November to December

This time is a dry season but though, watching wildlife animals is tough as the grass is over grown and photography is not clear enough.

Activities to do in the reserve

1. 1. Game Drives

Game Drives are the most prominent safari activity carried out in the reserve. You transfer from one point to another with your cameras and binoculars watching many wildlife animals wander around their natural habitat. The wildlife animals you watch include;  impalas, giraffes, zebras, elands, Jackals, civets, spotted hyenas, serval cats, Leopards, cheetah, wildcats etc.

The Game Drives in the reserve cost

Foreign non residents US $30 per person

Foreign Residents US $25 per person

East African Residents 30,000 UGX per person

              2. Bird Watching

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is a perfect destination for bird watchers from all over the world as you can watch many species i.e Abyssinian ground hornbill, dusky turtle dove, superb starling, African hill babbler, secretary bird, ostrich etc. Visit the reserve to watch these beautiful bird species as they fly from one tree branch to another.

             3. Guided Nature Walks

Guided Nature walks are exceptional to do as you transfer from one point to another watching the green terrain vegetation, bird species, wildlife and primates i.e monkeys.

            4. Cultural Encounters

Cultural Encounters are remarkable to do around the reserve as you explore the local Karamajong people who introduce you through their cultural traditions, customs and beliefs. Have a look into the various traditional lifestyles and practices.