Pian Upe wildlife reserve is not famous even though it’s one of the few places in Uganda to see cheetahs and the largest population of roan antelopes on Uganda safaris. The beauty of this game reserve has stunning landscape sceneries with surrounding mountains and most of the time you will have the whole game reserve to yourself. Pian Upe wildlife reserve is the second largest conservation area covering an area of about 2,788 square kilometres squared after Murchison Falls national park covering an area of about 3,893 square kilometres.
Pian Upe wildlife reserve is located in far North-eastern part of Uganda in the Karamojara region and is under management of the Mount Elgon conservation area under the Uganda wildlife Authority mandated to conserve for future generations joined to other two wildlife protected areas in the North-eastern part of Uganda – the Matheninko and Bokora Wildlife Reserve and Mount Elgon national park to form the Mount Elgon Conversation Area. Pian Upe wildlife reserve is dominated by spectacular volcanic plugs of Mount Kadam which rise 3,068 meters above the plains. The reserve is a mixture of semi-arid ecosystem, acacia forests, savannah grasslands, and mountains offering natural beauty.
Pian upe derives its name from its community where “Pian” refers to a clan among the Karamajong people of north-eastern Uganda while “Upe” refers to a Kalenjin speaking pastoralist community of the Karamongs who are said to have originated from the Pokot tribe in Kenya, but now settled close to the wildlife reserve in Amudat district. “Pian” actually means “calm hearted people” while “Upe” means “enemy”, when both words are combined, you get a word “friendly enemies”. These people are predominantly pastoralists and live a very traditional lifestyle, only being cantered around their cattle. This group is mainly found in Nakapiripirit district close to the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Headquarters
Pian Upe wildlife reserve has existed since the 1960s however due to little conservation effort at the time, wildlife in reserve was severely poached during the civil war during the reign of former President Amin in the 1970s and the lord’s resistance conflicts in 2002. Despite such conflict, Pian Upe wildlife reserve is one of the essential reserves for wildlife viewing safaris in Uganda where we can only find the endangered cheetah one of big cats and the ostrich lives here. Fortunately, the Government of Uganda has expressed great interests in upgrading the Pian Upe wildlife reserve to National Park position, and efforts to introduce and restore wildlife numbers in the reserve is already in the process, as well as plans to open up more areas/communities for tourism development.
Activities and attractions in Pian Upe wildlife reserve
There variety of activities and attractions travellers on Uganda safaris to pian Upe wildlife reserve can enjoy a diverse wildlife viewing experience. The reserve offers a wildlife holiday with the chance to learn about the local culture of two indigenous pastoral tribes; the Karamajongs of north-eastern Uganda and Pokot originating from north-eastern Kenya.
Game viewing
Making a trip to the reserve will take you to the remote, lush semi-arid landscapes offering fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. With game drive safaris, visitors can spot the cheetahs, Roan antelope, Buffalo, Uganda kob, Zebra, Leopard. Though it is mostly unexplored, there’s a vast diversity of wildlife. The best attractions in reserve are cheetahs, Roan antelope and Ostriches along with various other animals like the greater Kudu, Uganda Kob, Hyenas, Rothschild giraffes, Zebras, Buffaloes and Leopards, Oribis, Impalas, Gunther’s Dik Dik, Hartebeests which were relocated, Cape Buffaloes, the Uganda Kob, Waterbuck, Blue and Common Duiker, Klipspringers and the Bohor and Mountain Reedbuck also enjoy the homely Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve.
Bird watching
In addition to mammals, Pian Upe wildlife reserve is a prime bird watching destination with unique species of birds including Ostriches, the giant bird in the world. Other exotic birds include Jackson’s hornbill, Hartlaub’s bustard and different species of weavers are available in the park’s Lopolokocho wetlands. Some of the bird species found in the reserve include; the Karamoja Apalis which is an endemic bird found in to north-eastern part of Uganda. Other bird species include; Superb sterlings, Green bitta, Secretary bird, Abyssinian ground hornbill, the rare shoebill stock and the Fox weaver bird that can be seen in the park’s stretch of land.
There are also several primate species including vervet monkeys and olive baboons and reptiles such as African rock python. Some of the rare animals in the reserve including; the Patas Monkeys, the African Hare, Crested Porcupine, Aardvarks, , Rock Hyrax, Four-toed HedgeHogs, and the Olive Baboons.
Community tours
The reserve is located in the Karamoja region where we find the interesting Karamojong people who are similar to the Masai of Kenya and Tanzania. These people have a rich culture and tradition that is exciting to experience even though they are known to be hostile in the early days of their settlement. The Karamojongs are best known for their pastoral practises. The cultural visit to one of the local Karamojong community near the reserve will offer you an exciting cultural experience on a rare cultural music, dance and drama performance by the locals most especially the famous Edonga dance.
Mountain hiking and guided nature walk
Driving through the Reserve introduces you to an endless flow of Savannah plains, dotted with Acacias and Sausage trees as well as rocky ridges, embraced by three mountains – Mount Napak, Mount Kadam and Mount Elgon. When you look beyond the horizon, you will see these mountains stretching high above the sky. These mountains allow hiking opportunities for example hiking to the Napedet cave is one of the best experiences of hiking while in Pian Upe wildlife reserve. This hike tests one’s physical fitness levels, working on health levels and granting awesome views of the reserve’s ranges. Napedet cave is a popular ancient recreational place for the first inhabitants of this area who would gather to engage in painting before the area was gazetted. Visitors can be able to see odd paintings of Roan Antelope, Hartebeests, Baboons, as well as Giraffes which once roamed the reserve’s open plains.
Best time to visit Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
The reserve can be visited throughout the year however the best time is during the dry season in the months of January to March when the vegetation is dry, you have clear views and animals gather at the water sources making it easy for game viewing. It is also at this period when the reserve management also carries out controlled bush burning to keep the grasses short, leaving the vegetation dry and it becomes easier to view the animals around the major water sources when they gather for a drink. Girik River which located in the southern part of the reserve is a source of water for the animals living in this semi-arid region. From the months of November to December, it’s a dry season but the vegetation is still lush making it difficult to spot animals hidden in the grass, treetops and other invisible places.
From April to October, it’s therainy season, so the trails or the tracks are usually muddy thus the roads are even impassable due to flooding making game viewing impossible. The tracks in Pian Upe wildlife reserve are still poorly developed so in the wet season, it can be a bit challenging, lush vegetation, bad hazel views. Visitors are recommended to travel in 4WD Vehicle; Land Cruiser most preferably in case of weather challenges.
How to get there and accessibility
Pian Upe wildlife reserve is in north-eastern Uganda approximately 8-9 hour’ drive from Kampala city or Entebbe airport. The reserve is 90 kilometres via Mbale – Moroto road from the nearest town Mbale at the base of Mount Elgon. Sipi falls in Kapchorwa district at the edge of Mount Elgon national park is just 2-3 hour’ drive to Pian Upe. Visitors coming from Kidepo valley national park can access Pian Upe wildlife reserve on a 5-hour drive.
Pian Upe wildlife can be visited on its or as part of the north-eastern Uganda safari circuit along with other destinations like Mount Elgon national park, Kidepo valley national park, Sipi falls, source of the Nile jinja.
Accommodations available in Pian Upe wildlife reserve
Pian Upe wildlife reserve does not have so many of the accommodations since it is still under development. The commonly used accommodation facility in the park is the Uganda Wildlife Bandas which are located at the park headquarters. Alternatively, someone can choose to camp around the park headquarters with own tent or hired tent from the park. There is only one available mid-range accommodation facility called Karamoja Overland Camp with tents that are self-contained featuring en-suite facilities like showers, electricity.
