The Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is a conservation area in the Karamoja sub-region of north eastern Uganda and It is the second largest conservation protected area in Uganda after Murchison falls national park. The Pian Upe is a home of two pastoralist tribes from which the name suggests the Pian being part of a sub group of the Karamoja, and the Upe being a Kalenjinspeaking people more widely known as the Pakot within Kenya. It covers an area of about 2,788km2 to the north of mountain Elgon and is managed by Mountain Elgon Conservation department. It is located in the North Eastern part of Uganda in Nakapiripiti and can easily be accessed by road from Kampala which takes about 8 ½ hours and about 2 ½ hours from Mbale and 6 hours from Pian Upe to Kidepo Valley national park. The beauty of this game reserve is the stunning landscape scenery with surrounding mountains and most of the time you will have the whole game reserve to yourself. The southern part of the reserve was gazetted as the Debasien Animal Sanctuary in 1958. A government-led project to convert land just south of the Greek River for agriculture threatened the viability of wildlife conservation in the whole area. In 1964 the area was expanded northward and renamed Pian-Upe Game Reserve. The reserve features semi-arid climate with one rain season annually. Most of the reserve is covered by undisturbed grassland and wooded grassland. Small areas of riverine woodland, kopjes also exist. Some land is cultivated, and especially the area near the Greek River is threatened by alteration. Dominant tree species are red acacia and desert date. Also present are bush willows, Harrisonia abyssinica and red spike-thorns. Shrubs include butterfly pea and wooly caper bush. Cultivated areas have many live fences of yellow oleander. Common grasses in the grassland are thatching grass and bristle species. Less common are beard grasses and lemon grasses. Along the rivers Vlei bristle grass and red nut sedge dominate. The lower vegetation layer burns every year.
Although the area once supported healthy populations of lions, elephants, black rhinos and giraffes, these are now locally extinct. The last giraffe was reportedly poached in 1995. Populations of plains zebra, common eland, are also threatened Grants gazelle. The most commonly sighted mammal in the reserve is the oribi. Pian Upe is home to enormous rock pythons and smaller but venomous puff adders. Harmless water snakes are also found there. The largest lizards in Pian Upe are the Savannah monitors. Others in the reserve include the common agama as well as skinks, chameleons and geckos.
It is one of the few places to observe Rothschild’s giraffe; different species of birds can also be spotted out around the swamp terrains in the Loporokocho swamp, bird species like the Ostrich, Jackson’s Hornbill, Hartlaub’s Bustard, and the white-headed buffalo- weaver. In addition, the vervet monkey, olive baboons can all be spotted out.
Best time to visit the game reserve.
January – March: This is the best time to visit Pian Upe. The vegetation is dry, you have clear views and animals gather at the water sources which makes it easy for game viewing
April – October: rainy season, therefore muddy or even impassable roads and game drive tracks. The tracks are not well developed so in the wet season, it can be a bit challenging), lush vegetation, bad hazel views.
November – December: dry season but still lush vegetation that makes it difficult to spot animals, hidden in the grass, treetops etc.
Major activities in the Pian Upe game reserve.
Guided wildlife safaris- You can go for guided game drives in the plains of the reserve where you expect to see the Roan antelope. This is the only place you can see the roan antelope in Uganda. Other animals you should look out for on this Uganda safari are the cheetahs, the zebras, greater kudu, dik dik, buffalos, black backed and side stripped jackals, eland, and hartebeest.
Bird watching safaris- Pian Upe is a birder’s paradise. There are massive numbers of birds, with about 242 confirmed, and 11 unconfirmed bird species. This makes the reserve 2nd to Queen Elizabeth National park to bird species density. You will see land’s largest bird- the ostrich only found here and in Kidepo Valley National park.
Mountain climbing and viewing physical features – A traveler can go for Mountain climbing to the less challenging hills of the area like Mt. Kadam.
Guided nature walks – Guided nature walks are a great way to get up close and person to wilderness at Pian Upe wildlife reserve. For sightseeing, look out for zebras, antelopes, baboons and the many birds in the reserve. The walks are guided by a ranger from Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Cultural community visits- To learn about the culture and ways of the people living around Pian Upe, go for a guided community visit. You will learn about their traditional weddings and marriages, traditional dances that you can take part in, and their raiding activities for cattle.
Visit to Napendio cave – This is an old cave that is close to the hearts of people around the area. During ancient days, the cave was used as a recreational place especially for art. Drawings of baboons and other animals by the first people who stayed here are still visible to-date.
Accommodation around the game reserve.
Sipi Falls- On your safari to Pian Upe wildlife reserve, you may stay around Sipi Falls. There are many lodges around the Sipi area and it takes about 1-2 hours drive to the reserve.
Mbale Town- You may also stay in Mbale town and leave early for Pian Upe for about 2 ½ hours.
You will enjoy all these Uganda Safari escapades if you chose to travel with Adventure Uganda Safaris
