It is Uganda’s second-largest protected area and the largest of all reserves, situated in eastern Uganda’s Karamoja region. The reserve features dramatic landscapes, including the volcanic Mount Napak, the foothills of Mount Kadam, the grasslands and wetlands around Lake Opeta.

WILDLIFE

This reserve has rare and Iconic Species that are a point not to miss out in life;

Cheetahs:

Pian Upe is one of the only places in Uganda where you have a realistic chance of spotting the earth’s fastest land mammal in the wild.

Roan Antelope:

This reserve protects Uganda’s last remaining population of the majestic, large-horned roan antelope.

Giant Ostriches:

It is the best destination in the country to see massive herds of wild common Ostriches roaming the open plains

MAMMALS AND GRAZERS

Predators

Aside from cheetahs, the reserve is home to leopards, spotted hyenas, jackals, serval cats and a small elusive population of lions

Large Herbivores

You will routinely spot large herds of oribi (the most sighted mammal), along with cape buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeests, plain zebras, Topis, and common elands

Small Antelopes

look closely in the grass for smaller, unique ungulates like Gunther’s Dik diks, mountain reedbucks.

Primates and quirky mammals

The reserve has a lot of Patas monkeys, Olive baboons and Nocturnal and unusual diggers

BIRDLIFE AND REPTILES

A lot of bird are numerous in the reserve like; Secretary bird, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Superb starlings, and Endemic Karamoja apalis.

REPTILES

Still, Enormous rock pythons, Savannah monitors, Chameleons, Puff adders and Colourful agamas among others can easily be sported.

ACCESS

A robust 4*4 vehicle is essential. The drive from Kampala generally takes about 7 to 9 hours depending on the route and stopovers. Entry is managed by UWA, with standard reserve fees. The reserve can be accessed by driving via Mbale to Moroto highway.

Accommodation

UWA Bandas:

UWA offers basic, self- contained and non- self- contained Bandas near the reserve headquarters, budget rooms.

Tented camps and fly camps:

Operators like Kara- Tunga offer full- board safari tents and fly camps.

Climate

The temperature is generally hot and semi-arid year-round, with daytime highs ranging from 25c to 35c (77f to 95f)

Conditions are warm and sometimes windy. The region receives an extended rainy season from April to October, with dry, arid periods dominating the rest of the year.

Activities and attractions

There are a number of attractions in the reserve that will make you more than interested to visit it every minute of your life;

Wildlife viewing

Spot rare and unique species such as roan antelopes, cheetahs, patas monkeys, greater kudus, zebras and ostriches.

Guided nature walks

Explore the vast savannah plains on foot alongside an experienced armed ranger.

Cultural encounters

Visit neighbouring Karamojong and Kalenjin homesteads to learn about their history, traditional songs and way of life.

Mountain hiking

Make guided hikes up nearby volcanic mountains, such as Mt. Kadam.

WHEN TO VISIT

The dry seasons offer the best wildlife viewing. Vegetation becomes thinner, and animals congregate around permanent water sources like the Girik River. (Jan to mar & Jun to sep)

The wet season has heavy rains that can cause flooding. The lush vegetation makes spotting wildlife harder, and the vegetation makes spotting wildlife harder. The game tracks can become highly impassable even for sturdy 4WD vehicles.