Pian upe wildlife reserve
Pian upe reserve is the second largest wildlife reserve from Murchison falls, the game reserve is located in district of nakapiripiriti in Northern Uganda. The reserve is shared by districts of Amudat, Napak, Bukedi, Moroto among others.
It’s the second largest park after Murchison falls which covers 3,893 square kilometres of north of Mount Elgon. The best time to visit the park are always in the month of January to march when the vegetation is dry and his makes it the best time for game viewing.
The wildlife reserve can be accessed by road from Kampala to reach the park which takes 8-9 hour drive and from mbale town it takes 5-6 hours then tourists who would wish to use air transport they fly from kajjasi airstrip to Amudat districts which takes them a less than an hour.
ATTRACTIONS
Since the wildlife reserve is found in savannah areas it has the following attractions which favour the wildlife and surrounding environment;
FLORA ; The reserve is dominated of short trees and shrubs, thatching grass, bristle species and among others. The plain reserve are dropped with red acacia, shrubs like the buffer fly pea and Bushwillow’s.
These trees and grasses have been used by karamomjas in thatching there houses since its there traditional way of living.
FAUNA; The reserve is well known to be the quite place rare animals found nowhere in the game parks and national parks , such animals include Roan Antelopes, cheetah making the high percentage of wild around. Its the best place to the see the fattest mammals. Other animals predators include; wildcats, jackals, civets and some spotted lions which keep around Amudat conservation centres.
Pian upe wildlife reserve is also a home of some of variety reptiles such as Agama, gecko, venomous puff adders, chameleon and crocodile since the areas around lies in savannah vegetation’s
ACTIVITIES
Pian upe wildlife reserve as the game reserve has got some activities like birdwatching, nature walk, game drive both in the morning or late evening.
GAME DRIVE
The morning and evening drive keeps tourists in good moods since they are able to see the wildlife during sun set and sunrise when animals gather at the water bodies to drink water. The animals seen include; cheetahs, crocodiles, Antelopes.
BIRD WATCHING
Pian upe wildlife reserve is the Uganda’s top birdwatching destination. The birds in the reserve include; Ostriches, Green bitter, secretary birds and fox weaver birds can be seen in park’s stretch of birds. And others since its well known as top best for birding.
COMMUNITY WALK
During community walk, the tourist are always guided by the tour guide and they are able to interact with the people around the are especially the karamonjas in there cultural and traditional that is exciting to experience though they were known as hostile in early days. The tourist are encouraged to participate in cultural music, dance and drama like Endonga.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Pian upe wildlife reserve does not have so many accommodation since its still developing. The tourists are encouraged to hire tents from the park and camp around the game reserve. The game reserve has only one mid range accommodation karamonja overland which is self contained with sowers and electricity.