Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve | Uganda Wildlife Safaris Tour Adventures

Pian Upe wildlife reserve is located in Karamoja, North Eastern part of Uganda in the Nakapiripirit district. It covers an area of 2,788 square kilometers between Kidepo valley national park and Mount Elgon national park.

Pian Upe is derived from two words with Pian meaning a clan among the Karamojong people and Upe literally referring to a Kalenjin pastoral community that is believed to be from the Pokot tribe in Kenya.

Pian Upe reserve is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Mount Elgon Conservation Department and is bordered by Bokora and Matheniko game reserves. The wildlife reserve was gazette in 1958 as the Dabasien Animal Sanctuary.

Pian Upe wildlife game reserve is gifted with a lot of wildlife and other scenic features as well as bird species.  Pian Upe wildlife reserve receives one rainy season all year round. The major threat to the Pian Upe wildlife reserve is human encroachment and this is due to farming activities.

Wildlife Safari in Pian Upe

Things to do in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Game drives

Game drives are conducted in the wildlife reserve and this helps you to see different animals like the buffalos, dik-dik, and black backed and side-stripped jackals, zebras, cheetahs, kudu, and the hartebeest among others. A 4×4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended for one to do a successful game drive in the reserve as most of the tracks are not so clear.

Bird Watching

The best time to do bird watching in Pian Upe is during the morning and evening hours and this can be best done around Cheposukunya hot spring. Birds include the green pitta, Abyssinian hornbill, secretary bird, fox weaver bird, and the rare ostrich among others.

Pian Upe is considered a true birding haven and so most bird lovers are encouraged to carry with them their birding equipment so as to enjoy this adventure.

Wildlife Adventure in Uganda

 Hiking Mount Kadam

This is located near the Eastern border of Karamoja with Kenya with an elevation of 3,063 meters, North of Mount Elgon. This mountain is believed to have been first climbed by Sailesh Kadam hence named Kadam. Hikers should get ready to conquer this mountain on their visit to the wildlife reserve.

Community Encounter

This takes you directly to the neighboring community of the Karamojong people of North Eastern Uganda. During this guided walk, you will get to learn about the old traditions of the Karamojong mostly about marriages, traditional dances as well as weddings.

A visit to the Pian Upe wildlife reserve is considered incomplete when you don’t include a visit to the local people. Get to learn more about the history of the Karamojong as well as how they carry out their day-to-day activities like taking care of their animals from the raiders as well as living in a communal organized system.

Napendio cave visit

These caves are considered to be the specific location for the people of long ago where they could go to offer sacrifices to their gods. Napendio caves still have special paintings that date as far as the early years when the first man settled in this particular area. A visit to these caves will make this trip more adventurous.

Guided Nature Walk

A guided walk is recommended in Pian Upe wildlife reserve and this is made possible with the help of a game ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). You can see other animals during this walk for example baboons, antelopes, antelopes, and zebras.

Puff adders, pythons, geckos, chameleons, and savannah monitor lizards are also seen in the park during this guided nature walk. Giraffes have been re-introduced into the reserve by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) from Murchison falls national park.

Cultural Tours in Uganda – Moroto

Best Time to Visit Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

December to March and May to September are considered the best months to visit the Pian Upe reserve because during this time the vegetation is dry so the animals can be viewed very well gathering at water sources. This is the best opportunity to take good photographs as well.

Accommodation in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

This can be booked at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) tents and cottages in the game reserve as well as other facilities located near the reserve like Mount Moroto hotel, Lavender Inn, Shalosa hotel, and Leslona hotel among others.

International visitors are required to book with a reputable tour company with knowledgeable guides to help create memories as well as adventure for a lifetime.

Accessibility to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Pian Upe reserve is located in the North Eastern part of Uganda in Nakapiripirit district and is approximately 6hours drive from Uganda’s capital city Kampala and 2hours from Mbale town.

proposed Wildlife Adventure Tours to Uganda

6 Days Wildlife Safari Trip to Kidepo Valley.

7 Days Best of Uganda Tour.

7 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari.

7 Days Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Trip.

7 Days Wildlife & Gorilla Trekking Uganda.

8 Days Uganda Mount Elgon Hiking Safari

10 Days Uganda Birding & Wildlife Tour.

11 Days Uganda Forest Birding Holiday Trip

12 Days Wildlife Safaris Tour in Uganda.

14 Days Best of Uganda Safari.

14 Days Bird Watching Trip in Uganda.