Second only to Murchison Falls National Park in size, Pian Upe Game Reserve is one of Uganda’s largest wildlife protection zones. It is situated in northeastern Uganda, in the Karamoja area. The reserve is located between Kidepo National Park and Mount Elgon National Park, and it spans an area of roughly 2,788 square kilometers. The Bokora Wildlife Reserve and the Matheniko Game Reserve abut Pian Upe from opposite directions.
Pian Upe Game Reserve is a part of the Mount Elgon Conservation Area, in contrast to Matheniko and Bokora. Antelope Roan The settlement of Mbale in the east is not far from Pian Upe. From Mbale town, it takes roughly two hours to get to the reserve, and from Kampala, it takes about six. The region began founded 1958 as an animal sanctuary, and in the 1960s, it was transformed into a nature reserve. The Pian Upe Game Reserve has one significant wet/rainy season every year and semi-arid climates.
The animals and plants that have been discovered have adapted to live for extended periods of time without water on specific days of the year. There are large, unspoiled grasslands and forests among the vegetation. Red acacia and desert date are the two primary tree species. Other species include bushwillows, red spike-thorns, and Harrisonia abyssinica. A large portion of the area is covered in shrubs like butterfly plea and woolly caper bush.
The wide plains are also home to bristle grasses, red nut sedge, beard grass, lemon grass, and thatching grass, among other types of vegetation. Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve’s most remarkable feature is a landscape that includes mountains, rocky outcrops, and expansive plains. There is a decent assortment of large mammals, birds, and reptiles in the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. Zebras, elands, gazelles, and oribi are among the animals that visitors to the reserve can anticipate seeing.
The Pian Upe wildlife reserve in Uganda (Ugandan Kob), spotted hyenas, civets, jackals, serval cats, cheetahs, leopards, topi, wildcats, buffaloes, roan antelopes, reebucks, duikers, Dik-dik, waterbucks, hares, porcupines, the rock hyrax, aardvark, and hedgehogs are among the other animals. Olive baboons, patas monkeys, and vervet monkeys are among the primates.
Reptiles such as rock pythons, puff adders, water snakes, skinks, geckos, chameleons, and monitor lizards can also be found at Pian Upe Game Reserve. The ostrich is the most beautiful bird here.This enormous wilderness is home to two major tribes: The Pian, who are sub-division of the Upe, who are a cross between the Kalenjin and the Karamojong. These two native African tribes are the source of the name Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve.
Threats and Challenges
The Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Mountain Elgon Conservation department is in charge of Pian Upe Game Reserve. Human encroachment poses the biggest threat to this enormous environment. Due to agricultural and human habitation, the region around the Greek River is the most endangered. Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve had a high number of wild species both during the colonial era and right after independence. Animal poaching was rampant throughout the Idi Amin era and the early 1980s due to the unrest. Armed Karamojong warriors and Joseph Kony rebel elements wreaked devastation on the region later in the early 1990s. The government has started to restore the game after the insurgents were driven out and the Karamojong warriors were disarmed restore the reserve to its previous splendor.
Although the government has seen notable advancements, poaching is still an issue. After losing many of their cattle to droughts and cattle raiding by other nomadic tribes in neighboring Kenya, the Karamojong people are beginning to depend more on farming as a source of income. In this semi-arid region, farming is unreliable, and many people are enticed to hunt the reserve’s wild animals.
Additionally, nomadic pastoralists from Kenya pose a hazard to poaching. Nomadic herders from Kenya enter into Uganda in quest of food and water for their cattle because the boundaries are not adequately monitored. Once in Uganda, they cut down trees for their food and hunt wild animals for meat.
Some of the animals are forced to escape toward the Kenyan side of the border as a result of the poaching by the Kenyan herdsmen. This poses a risk to the reserve’s tourism potential, and more regulations ought to be implemented to deter nomads from undermining the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s noteworthy advancements.
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve facts
You must first drive to Mbale town in order to go to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve from Kampala. It takes five hours to complete this trip. The Mbale-Moroto highway runs alongside the park offices. It takes two hours to drive the additional 90 kilometers from Mbale to the park offices. As soon as you pass the Chepsukunya Trading Center, you will know you have arrived.
It is all reservations and other preparations for activities within the reserve can be made at the offices. A safari in Kidepo Valley National Park or a visit to the Sipi Falls can be paired with a visit to the Pian Upe wildlife reserve.
A plan to convert the reserve into a farm for fruit planting was put forth in 2003, but it was shelved due to opposition from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the public. The region has the potential for mineral mining. Gold and oil are thought to be beneath the broad plains, and mercury wells have been found at Mount Kadam. Right now, it is hard to predict how these findings may impact the reserve down the road.
The best activities in Pian Upe
Camping at the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Game Reserve:
Pian Upe Game Reserve might not receive as much attention as Uganda’s other, more well-known national parks due to its remote location. Nonetheless, a visit to the reserve will be quite satisfying for people who like to learn something new. Away from the tourists, the wildlife reserve offers seclusion and the chance to experience the unspoiled African nature.
Let us talk about a few of Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve’s most popular attractions.
Drives for games:
A game drive with a guide Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve game drives there are chances to see uncommon creatures like cheetahs, ostriches, and Roan antelopes on the expansive plains of the Pian Upe wildlife reserve. The roan antelope can only be seen in this location.
As previously said game drives in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve are fantastic in the dry season but might turn unpleasant in the wet one. To navigate the muddy roads during the rainy season, you will need a strong four-wheel drive vehicle; in the dusty/dry season, you will need one with good air conditioning. Because of the poor condition of the roads inside the reserve, you frequently have to make your own in order to get to specific locations.
Birdwatching:
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is on par with the biggest national parks in terms of birdwatching. It is second only to Queen Elizabeth National Park in terms of bird density. The huge ostrich is the most beautiful bird species here. Pian’s ostriches, the large, arid plains are perfect for ostriches to run from predators and care for their young.
They can clearly see their surroundings and any impending danger because there are fewer big trees and other plants. More than 240 bird species, including ostriches, can be seen here. These include hawks, herons, hornbills, jacanas, lapwings, owls, pelicans, plovers, turacos, vultures, African eagles, cormorants, cranes, darters, egrets, grass birds, and weaverbirds. It is thought that there are still undiscovered species in the reserve because bird experts have not thoroughly examined it. The Cheposukunya hot springs are the ideal spot to go birdwatching.
Mount Kadam:
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Pian Upe is its mountain and rock climbing terrain. The huge grasslands, mountains, and rocks make up the wildlife reserve. Mount Kadam is a good option for those who enjoy climbing easier mountains or investigating rocks. One can begin with one of the many enormous rocks if Mount Kadam is too difficult.
Nature Walks:
The Uganda Wildlife Authority offers guides for nature walks. Perhaps the best way to explore the reserve is to go on one of the nature walks. Because there are so few people around, the walks will give you the wonderful impression that you are in the real African bush. Murchison Falls and other large national parks are not able to claim this. You will undoubtedly come across antelope herds, birds, primates, and a variety of reptiles while you are out and about.
Cultural Encounters:
The Karamajong and Kalenjin are the tribes that reside near the Pian Upe game reserve, as was previously noted. In this semi-arid area, these pastoralists who live on the move rely heavily on their livestock to survive. Despite constant exposure to modernization, their culture has remained distinct and unbroken. You can discover how the residents live their daily lives by going on a guided community stroll.
If you are lucky, you can attend the evening’s traditional Karamajong dances, theater, and marriage ceremonies. The new Karamoja cultural museum, situated in the slopes of Mount Moroto, is the greatest venue to learn about the local people’s culture. The museum has a sizable collection of objects and artifacts that depict Karamajong culture.
Cave exploration:
Ancient rock art can be seen on several of the rocks in the game reserve. The Napendio cave is one such rock. The locals regard this cave as sacred, but it also has breathtaking drawings of antelopes and baboons. The earliest human settlers arrived in the region thousands of years ago, which is when these paintings were created. The Napedet cave is another fascinating cave.
The Pokwot and Karamajong tribes used to use the Napedet cave as a major hunting ground. Meat was grilled here and distributed among hunters. Here you may still see cooking stones that are more than 500 years old. Ancient artwork depicting creatures such as elands adorns the cave’s walls. giraffes, warthogs, and roan antelopes. In addition to the artwork, these caverns offer a wonderful perspective of the expansive environment and its incredible animals. Near the caverns, bush camping is available for 15,000 shillings.
For visiting Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, the ideal time of year
Two dry seasons and one rainy season are experienced at Pian Upe Game Reserve. The driest months of the year are January through March. After the rains from April to October, the foliage is still green even if November and December are likewise dry.
The majority of tourists choose traveling between January and March, which is the dry season. The animals congregate around the few surviving water holes during the dry season, making it easier to see them. The period of rainy, weather (April to October) is not the best place to visit due to the park roads’ terrible state. Even with the toughest four-wheel drive vehicles, the roads became extremely muddy and challenging to drive on.
The rivers swell up with rainwater, causing certain road segments to flood. During this time of year, the animals have an abundance of food and water, yet they are hard to spot since they usually roam in tiny, dispersed groups. Our view is that November and December are the finest times to visit. The park is still green and cooler even though it is still the dry season.
List of items to bring on a safari in Pian Upe Game Reserve
Similarly to any significant national park or reserve, you must be ready to visit Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. There are a number of factors that foreign visitors should think about before visiting Uganda. Both a yellow fever vaccination card and a VISA are required. Once those two have been resolved, you should additionally consider the following:
Light and warm clothing:
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve experiences extremely hot days and chilly nights for the majority of the year. To cope with the increased heat, particularly during the dry season, you should pack light clothing (sleeveless shirts and shorts) and warm clothing for the evening. It can be extremely hot during the day, particularly if you are traveling from a chilly winter in your home country. Campfires are capable of be prepared to keep visitors warm while they take in the breathtaking Milky Way at night.
Bug repellents:
This wildlife reserve features a vast number of bug species, just like the most of Uganda’s national parks. Some sting painfully. The insects will be repelled by an insect repellant. A hiking shoe and a cap. During the warmer season, wearing a wide hat will assist shield you from the sun. Wearing sturdy shoes will shield you from thorns and pointy trees while assisting you in navigating through challenging and rocky terrain.
Devices:
Use a good camera to move and photograph the breathtaking scenery and wildlife. Additionally, you might need to shift your binoculars, laptop, iPad, and phone. If at all possible, these devices should come with extra batteries and chargers so that you, During your safari, stay in touch with your family back home.
Lodging at the Pian Upe Game Reserve
There are two types of lodging at Pian Upe Game Reserve.
Accommodations in the game reserve:
These include Uganda Wildlife Authority bungalows and cheap, masculine, self-contained tents. As an alternative, you could camp at the reserve with your own tents for roughly $5. Rolex, spaghetti, rice, and chicken are among the meals served. You might bring your own food and have it prepared if you are camping out.
Accommodations in non-reserve towns:
Mount Elgon National Park and the Sipi Falls are both near Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. You may choose to remain in one of the excellent lodgings in Mbale town or close to Sipi Falls. It takes one to two hours to go to the reserve from Sipi Falls. It takes two and a half hours to get to the reserve from Mbale town.
How much it costs to enter Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
The Uganda Wildlife Authority’s most recent information indicates that overseas tourists must pay $35 to enter the park. While East African nationals simply need to pay 15,000 Ugandan shillings, foreign residents must pay $25. Children from East African nations pay 2500 Uganda shillings, while children from foreign countries pay $5. The guided nature walks and game drives have different fees. Direct payments are made at the offices of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It is crucial to remember that these costs exclude lodging and transportation beyond the reserve. Budgeting is necessary for lodging both inside and outside the park. It is recommended that foreign tourists reserve their safari through a trustworthy travel agency.