Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve
Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve
Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve is located in the Northeastern side of Uganda the same great location as an untouched safari destination renowned as Kidepo Valley National Park with over 86 mammal species and more than 500 bird species plus a stunning mountain home to the unique IK People among others. More so, the reserve was established in 1964 and covers an area of about 794 square miles and marked as the second largest wildlife reserve in Uganda and is part of the wider Semi-arid Karamoja Wildlife Conservation region including; Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and Matheniko Game Reserve.
Therefore, three-game reserves are named after the four ethnic divisions of the Karamojong tribe; Upe, Pian, Matheniko, and Bokora. Each ethnic group lives close to the wildlife reserve. In spite, of the Upe and Pian living near to Pian Upe wildlife reserve, the Matheniko occupy areas close to the Matheniko Wildlife Reserve while the Bokora live close to the Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve.
Despite the reserve having dry plains Mount Kadam and Mount Napaka are the most amazing features. The plains arehaving of mainly savannah grasslands, shrubs, short trees, and bushes. Bokora Wildlife Reserve offers scenic landscapes and wildlife species but the roads that lead there can be in poor conditions during the rainy season.
Challenges faced by Bokora Wildlife Reserve
The encroachment and outright occupation by local communities living around the reserve. The Karamoja region is the local people who live within the area, for years had been unstable because of tribal wars and cattle rustling led to the loss of their animals, and had to get to other means of survival. Fortunately, there is peace and most of the Karamojong warriors have no firearms and many families live in abject poverty. Now some of them survive on cultivating food or use the reserve for grazing during heavy drought. However much, the Uganda Wildlife Authority evicts them from time to time, the problem of encroachment still appears. The location seems to have been made a challenge by the local politicians who due to the rise for selfish reasons.
Due to the hunger and drought during the dry season which helps many of the pastoralists from their home by constructing water holes, Uganda’s government and other humanitarian Agencies have come up with great solutions to contain the situation. Recently the Karamojong region has faced drought which led several people to death but the United National World Food Programs has helped the region by helping supplement the diet of communities facing starvation.
Wildlife Species in Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve
The Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve contains plants and animal species that are hard by the Semi-arid conditions in the reserve. Animals expect to explore here include; Spotted Cheetahs, Hartebeests, Elands, Leopards, Roan antelopes, Spotted hyenas, Rothschild’s Giraffes, Striped hyenas, Topis, Uganda Kobs, and Zebras.
Birdlife
Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve is home to various bird species such as Grey-Shrike, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Jackson’s Hornbills, Lemon Dove, Thick-billed Honey guide, White-headed Buffalo-weaver, Eastern Bronze –napped pigeons, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Dusky Turtle Doves mentioned but few. The best site for birding is at Loporokocho Swamp.
Top things to do in Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve
Visit the Karamojong People
Ideally, this reserve is home to the Karamojong people and if you take a visit to the reserve or park can go for an interesting cultural tour of this unique tribe to discover the true African natives. Note, that the Karamojong are nomadic pastoralists and rely on their cattle which provide them with meat, manure, hides, and milk. They also take cow blood during the hottest months of the year. They refused to change their identity into modern ways of living thus making it the best tribe to visit in a true indigenous African tribe. On a visit to their region you can participate with them to graze cattle, learn how to milk cows as well as take part in the evening traditional dances.
Game drive
The reserve lies in a semi-arid area boosting with a range of wildlife species. On a visit for three ‘’3days’’ expect to spot numerous antelopes, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, and elephants among others.
The Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve experiences the dry months and the best time to go for birding because it supports the world’s largest bird species. You can spot the Ostrich and other bird species. Wild Ostriches are widely spread in dry conditions and plains. This is so because they spot approaching predators even smaller animal species that have interest in their eggs.
Note; For a complete safari in the northeastern region, one can combine a visit to Bokora Wildlife Reserve with a safari to Kidepo Valley National Park, Matheniko Wildlife Reserve, and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve among others.
The best time to go on safari in the northeastern region of Uganda
The reserve is open all year although the dry season is the best season to visit the wildlife and engage in amazing activities, dry months start from June to September and December to February. The rain seasons happen from April to May and November within this period roads become impassable in some sections however, it leads to beautiful scenery and green vegetation.
Note; During the driest part of the year heat can be hard to contain because of too much sunshine.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for Ugandan natives. We specialize in life-changing experiences, sustainable tours, and holidays for all East African countries. Also, we are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We are making booking your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari easy. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
