Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Guide, Adventure Uganda Safaris

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is one of the 12 stunning game reserves in Uganda. Pian-Upe is one destination that guarantees nature enthusiasts raw wilderness experiences. It is a virgin destination worth visiting on Uganda safaris.

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Location

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is located in the Karamoja region, north-eastern Uganda. Pian Upe is joined by 2 wildlife protected areas in northeastern Uganda; Matheninko and Bokora Wildlife Reserve and also Mount Elgon National Park. It is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority –UWA whose mandate is to conserve for future generations.

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve covers 2788 sq. km of land area and is set between two National Parks that is Kidepo Valley National Park and Mount Elgon National Park. Pian Upe is the 2nd largest conservation area just after Murchison Falls National Park.

History of Pian Upe

In 1958, the Southern part of the present Pian Upe was designated as Debasien Animal Sanctuary. In 1964, Pian Upe Reserve expanded northwards and it was around this period when it officially attained its present name – Pian Upe Game Reserve. In 2003, there was a proposal to degazette the area to allow fruit farming.

The word Pian Upe is derived from the community where the reserve lies. Pian is translated as a clan also calm-hearted people and Upe means Kalenjin –the pastoralist community.  Upe means enemy and together with Pian, they form friendly enemies.

Top Attractions in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Pian Upe is an enriching wildlife-protected area. It is a favorite spot to find abundant floral and faunal species.

Plant/flora in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is dominated by undisturbed grassland and wooded grassland. A section of the reserve also features scenic riverine woodland, and kopjes. The tree species include the red acacia and desert date.

There are also Harrisonia abyssinica, bush willows, and red spike thorns. The shrubs in Pian Upe include butterfly pea, and wooly caper bush. Additional vegetation types include thatching grass, lemongrass, bristle grass, and red nut sedge.

Wildlife

Pian Upe Game Reserve boasts of its diverse faunal species. The diverse species of wildlife species to find on Uganda safaris in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve include leopards, Dik-Dik, reedbucks, oribis, elands, zebras, topis, rocky hyrax, cheetahs, and serval cats.

The other animals include Uganda Kobs, hyenas, wild cats, roan antelopes, porcupines, klipspringers, waterbucks, blue and common duikers, cape buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and patas monkeys. This reserve also supports wildlife species such as aardvark, hare, four-toed hedgehogs, and more.

The reptiles to find in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve include monitor lizards, water snakes, rock pythons, geckos, puff adders, chameleons, and more.

Bird species

A total of 242 species of birds survive in Pian Upe and include African hill babblers, Abyssinian ground hornbill, superb starling, secretary birds, ostriches, Karamoja apalis, African eagles and egrets.

Other birds include cormorants, herons, spur-winged goose, clapperton’s spurfowl, black coucal, white-browed coucal, Diederik cuckoos, pied cuckoos, dark-chanting-goshawk, banded snake eagle, speckled mousebirds, Wahlberg’s eagle,

Fork-tailed drongo, western black-headed batis, chinspot batis, lesser gray shrike, black kite, Northern crombec, yellow-breasted apalis, black-throated barbet, lizard buzzard, African goshawk, wing-snapping cisticola, African pipit, house sparrow and more.

Activities to enjoy in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Exciting things to enjoy in Pian Upe Game Reserve include guided game drives/viewing, birding, nature walks, rock climbing, cave exploration, cultural tours, and more.

Game/Wildlife Viewing

Game viewing or game drives in Pian Upe involve exploring the vast savannas of this charming reserve. You can engage in a morning or afternoon/evening game drive.

Each game drive session guarantees you exceptional encounters of wildlife including cape buffaloes, leopards, cheetahs, antelope families and bird species. Pian Upe game drive is best done in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and with an experienced guide.

Birding

Pian Upe is notably one of the untapped bird-watching destinations in Uganda. The reserve is a rich destination, an incredible spot every birder shouldn’t to explore.

The birds to expect to identify on a birding trip in Pian Upe Game Reserve include superb starlings, secretary birds, Karamoja apalis, ostriches, Abyssinian ground hornbills, and more.

The best site to consider for bird watching in Pian Upe is Cheposukunya Hot Springs.

Community visits

Cultural/community visits should be a must-do in Pian Upe. This allows you to explore the nearby communities, especially the Karamojong and Kalenjin. These communities practice mainly nomadic pastoralism. A visit to any of these local communities (Karamojong and Kalenjin) is a great chance for you to explore the distinct cultures and traditions.

Mountain & rock climbing

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve lies in an area with rocks and mountains. Its geographical location makes it an ideal destination to visit for rock climbing.

The must-visit spots for rock climbing in Pian Upe include Mount Kadam (3063m), which takes you on a challenging hike to its large rocks. Hikes can also be enjoyed on Mount Napak (2538m) and Mt. Moroto 3083m).

Nature walks

Guided nature walks offer an enriching wilderness experience to all nature lovers. A nature walk in Pian Upe Reserve allows you to explore hidden habitats while you search for faunal and avifaunal species.

Cave exploration

Cave exploration in Pian Upe takes you on a rewarding caving experience. The key areas for caving adventures in Pian Upe include Napendio cave, Napedet Cave, and others.

When to visit Pian Upe Game Reserve

Pian Upe is an all-year-round destination. But the dry months are the best months to consider visiting this enriching wildlife reserve. This is from January, February, and March then November to December.

Where to stay

The existing accommodation to book for overnight stays in Pian Upe includes self-contained tents and cottages run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Outside Pian Upe, the available lodges exist around the Sipi Falls (Sipi Falls Lodge, Sipi Travelers Lodge) and Mount Elgon Game Park.

How to get to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is accessible from the heart of Kampala via the Jinja-Mbale route, about 7-8 hour drive. Or take a flight from Entebbe Airport to Amudat airstrip then drive to Pian Upe.

How to prepare for Uganda safaris to Pian Upe

Pack right and plan your safari early. Among the essentials to have for your Pian Upe game safaris include insect repellents, camping gear, a good camera, extra batteries for the camera, a daypack, long-sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts, trousers, bottled drinking water, and others.

Tours to Pian Upe Game Reservve

• 2 Days Pian Upe and Sipi falls hike