Wildlife in Pian Upe Game Reserve: One of Uganda’s most beautiful and adventurous protected areas, Pian Upe is situated in the Nakapiripiti district in the Karamoja region in the country’s northeast. The “mount Elgon” conservation area oversees Pian Upe Game Reserve, which has a total land size of around 2,788 square kilometers, making it the second-largest protected wild life area after Murchison Falls National Park.
Both a southern and a northern segment make up Pian Upe Game Reserve; however, the southern portion was initially designated as Debasien Animal Sanctuary in 1958. Later, in 1964, the reserve was extended northward and given the name Pian Upe Game Reserve.
The term “friendly enemy” in Karamojong is the source of the name of the wild life reserve. The Pian Upe Game Reserve was created in 1964 and is home to a variety of animal species, including reedbucks and leopards, as well as varied types of flora, such as kopjes, forested grasslands, and some woodland, which serve as homes for these species.
Bird species in Pian Upe Game Reserve: With over 250 reported bird species in Pian Upe, including endemic, forest, water, and migratory species, Pian Upe Game Reserve is one of the greatest places in Uganda to go bird watching. A few of these birds are the Eurasian Hoopes, the pale flycatcher, the Abyssinian, the Rose-ringed parakeet, the stone partridge, the Rufous chatterer, the Eastern paradise whydah, the White-bellied tit, the Superior Sterling, the Ostrich, the Green Bitta, the Ring-necked Francolin, the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, the Jackson’s Hornbill, the Secretary birds, the verreaux’s eagle, and Hartlaubs, to name a few. During game drives and nature walks near the Lokoropocho marshes, the majority of these species may be seen.
Mammals in Pian Upe Game Reserve: The Pian Upe Game Reserve is renowned for being home to a variety of mammal species, such as leopards, Topi, Gunthers Dik Dik, Waterbucks, Bohor, cheetahs, Buffalos, elands, oribi, Roan antelopes, Uganda Kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest, common duikers, lions, aardvarks, rock hyrax, crested porcupines, jackals, spotted hyenas, civets, serval cats, wild cats, and impalas, some of which were later moved to Lake Mburo National Park. Along with many animals, the Pian Upe Game Reserve is home to several primates, including olive baboons, Patas monkeys, Vervet monkeys, and four-toed hedgehogs. These species may be seen on guided nature walks and game drives in cozy four-wheel drive vehicles.
Reptiles in Pian Upe Game Reserve: The river Girik is home to a variety of reptile species, such as crocodiles, savannah monitor lizards, common agama, rock pythons, skinks, chameleons, geckos, and harmless water snakes.
Plants in the Pian Upe Game Reserve: The Pian Upe Game Reserve is known for its native plant species, which include the Red Acacia, Desert Date, Bush Willows, Wolly Caper, Red Spike Thorns, and shrubs, among others. The reserve is surrounded by unbroken grassland, wooded grassland, and some forested area that is dominated by various tree species.
Climate of Pian Upe Game Reserve: The climate of Pian Upe Game Reserve is semi-arid, with considerable rainfall in March through May and little rainfall in June. This type of environment promotes the growth of vegetation in the reserve, which provides food for the animals. However, the high levels of rainfall in the Pian Upe Game Reserve make it extremely difficult to access the roads because of the thick grasses.
Best time to visit this Game Reserve
Although Pian Upe Game Reserve is open all year round, the ideal time to come is during the dry season, which runs from July to September and December to February. For the greatest wildlife experience in the Pian Upe, now is the ideal time to really observe the species.In contrast to the rainy season, when the roads will be muddy and slick, this time of year has less rainfall in the reserve, making it much easier to access and traverse. Because the grass is shorter during the dry season, visitors can see the wildlife creatures well.
Getting to pian upe
The Pian Upe Game Reserve is easily accessible by road; it is situated in northeastern Uganda and takes 8 to 9 hours to drive from Kampala to the reserve’s headquarters.