DISCOVER UGANDA’S DISTINCT GIFT, THE PIAN – UPE WILDLIFE RESERVE

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Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve in Nakapiripiriti district-Karamoja sub region
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve in Nakapiripiriti district-Karamoja sub region

Uganda is blessed with the mind-blowing tourist attractions ranging from national parks to the heaven kissing mountains. Today, we discover the Pian Upe wildlife reserve, one of Uganda’s second largest protected area after Murchison Falls National Park.

Pian Upe is located north of Mount Elgon and covers an area of about 2043sq.km.

The reserve is situated in Nakapiripiriti district, Karamoja sub region, and has a population of over 30 giraffes, according to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). In 2019 and 2020, UWA reintroduced the giraffes back to the wildlife reserve for over 25 years they had gone extinct.

A family of Giraffes sunbathing in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
A family of Giraffes sunbathing in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

There are also a number of other wildlife species like impalas, plain Zebras, Common elands, Cheetahs, among others. For bird lovers you will find the parks famous Ostriches.

Some activities in the reserve include game drives, which give an opportunity to spot rare animals, bird watching, mountain and rock climbing, nature walks, and cultural encounters of the Karamajong and Kalenjin.

A family of Ostriches moving in the game reserve
A family of Ostriches moving in the game reserve

Another activity includes cave exploration such as Napendio cave which is considered sacred by the local people but hides amazing paintings of wild animals like baboons and antelopes.

During an interview with the website reporter, Bahir Hangi the UWA Spokesperson said that Pian Upe wildlife reserve has become one of the best safari destinations in Uganda.

“Given that Pian Upe game reserve is one of the newly recognized game parks, it is a good tourist destination with raw and beautiful scenery in Uganda,” Hangi Said.

For those who want to discover something different, Pian Upe reserve is very rewarding since one has to leave Kampala and drive to Mbale town in a 5hours journey.

The reserve offices are found along the Mbale-Moroto highway, so one can make all booking and other arrangements for the activities in the reserve there.

A safari to Pian Upe wildlife reserve can be combined with a safari to Kidepo Valley National Park and Sipi Falls. This reserve gives gamers a chance to explore the true, and unspoiled African wilderness in private, and without interruption from other people.