Pian Upe Game Reserve
Pian Upe Game Reserve
Pian Upe Game Reserve is one of the largest wildlife conservation areas in Uganda, second only to the Murchison Falls National Park. It is located in the Karamoja region in the northeastern part of Uganda. The reserve covers an area of about 2,788 square kilometers and is found between Kidepo National Park and Mount Elgon National Park. Pian Upe is bordered by the Bokora Wildlife Reserve and Matheniko Game Reserve in different directions. Unlike Matheniko and Bokora, the Pian Upe Game Reserve is part of the Mount Elgon Conservation Area. Pian Upe is very close to the Eastern town of Mbale. It takes about 2 hours to reach the reserve from Mbale town and 6 hours from Kampala city. The area started as an animal sanctuary in 1958 before being upgraded into a wildlife reserve in the 1960s.
Pian Upe Game Reserve experiences semi-arid conditions with one major wet/rainy season in a year. The plants and animals found have evolved to survive without water for long periods during certain days of the year. The vegetation includes vast, untouched grassland and woodlands. The main tree species are Roan Antelope, desert date, and red acacia. Other species include Harrisonia abyssinica, red spike-thorns, and bush willows. Shrubs like woolly caper bush and butterfly pea dominate much of the reserve. Other vegetation species found in the vast plains include lemon grasses, thatching grass, beard grass, red nut sedge, and bristle grasses.
The most striking thing about Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is its landscape, which consists of vast plains, rocky outcrops, and mountains. Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is home to a respectable collection of large mammals, birds, and reptiles. Visitors to the reserve should expect to see zebras, elands, gazelles, and oribi. Other animals include spotted hyenas, civets, jackals, serval cats, cheetahs, leopards, topi, wildcats, buffaloes, roan antelopes, reedbucks, Duikers, Dik-dik, the Pian Upe game reserve in Uganda, Ugandan Kob, waterbucks, hares, porcupines, the rock hyrax, aardvark, and hedgehogs. The primates include Olive baboons, patas monkeys, and Vervet monkeys. Pian Upe Game Reserve is also home to reptiles like rock pythons, puff adders, water snakes, skinks, geckos, chameleons, and monitor lizards. The most attractive bird here is the ostrich.
Two main tribes live near this vast wilderness
The Pian are a sub-division of the Karamojong, and the Upe are a mixture of both the Karamojong and Kalenjin. Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve derives its name from these two indigenous African tribes.
Threats and Challenges
Pian Upe Game Reserve is under the control of the Uganda Wildlife Authority through the Mountain Elgon Conservation Department. The greatest threat to this vast wilderness is encroachment by humans. The area close to the Greek River is the most threatened because of human occupation and farming activities.
Ostrich in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. During the colonial period and immediately after independence, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve had a high density of wild animals. During the Idi Amin regime and the early 1980s, insecurity encouraged excessive poaching of animals. In the early 1990s, armed Karamojong warriors and rebel groups led by Joseph Kony wreaked havoc in the area. After the government flushed out the rebels and disarmed the Karamojong warriors, it launched efforts to restore the game reserve to its former glory. Although the government has made significant progress, poachers still threaten the reserve.
After droughts and cattle raids by nomadic tribes from neighboring Kenya reduced their livestock, the Karamojong people increasingly turned to farming as a source of livelihood. Because farming remains unpredictable in this semi-arid region, many people resort to hunting wild animals in the reserve. Nomadic pastoralists from Kenya also contribute to poaching. Since authorities do not properly guard the borders, Kenyan herdsmen cross into Uganda in search of water and pasture for their animals. Once there, they hunt wild animals for meat and cut down trees to build temporary shelters.
The poaching activities of the Kenyan herdsmen force some animals to migrate toward the Kenyan side of the border. This migration threatens the tourism potential of the reserve, and the government should enforce tougher measures to stop the nomads from undermining the progress made by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Facts about Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
To reach Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve from Kampala, you need to first drive to Mbale town. This journey takes 5 hours. The park offices are found along the Mbale-Moroto highway. Reaching the park offices from Mbale involves traveling for another 90 kilometers (2 hours drive). You will know you have reached it as soon as you pass the Chepsukunya Trading Center. It is at the offices that you can make all bookings and other arrangements for activities in the reserve.
A visit to the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve can be combined with a safari to Kidepo Valley National Park or a visit to the Sipi Falls.
In 2003, some investors proposed turning the reserve into a fruit plantation farm, but the public and the Uganda Wildlife Authority protested against the plan, forcing the government to abandon it.
Researchers and prospectors have identified potential mineral resources within the area. They discovered mercury wells at Mount Kadam, and they also believe that gold and oil lie beneath the vast plains. At this point, however, experts cannot predict how these discoveries will affect the reserve in the future.
Top things to do in Pian Upe Game Reserve
Camping in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Given its remoteness, Pian Upe Game Reserve may not get the same attention as the other, more well-known national parks in Uganda. However, those who want to discover something different will find visiting the reserve very rewarding. The game reserve allows for privacy and an opportunity to explore a true pristine African wilderness – away from the crowds. Let us discuss some of the top attractions in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve.
Game drives
A guided game drive along Game drives in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve vast plains of the Pian Upe game reserve presents opportunities to spot rare animals like cheetahs, ostriches, and the Roan antelope. This is the only place where you can see the roan antelope in Uganda. Game drives in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve are great during the dry season, but can get nasty during the rainy season, as already noted earlier. You need a good 4-wheel drive vehicle to maneuver through muddy roads during the rainy season or one with good air-conditioning during the dusty/dry season. Roads within the reserve are not well-maintained, and you often have to create your own if you want to reach certain areas of the reserve.
Birdwatching
When it comes to birds, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve comes toe-to-toe with the largest national parks. In terms of bird density, it ranks 2nd only to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The most attractive bird species here is the giant ostrich. Ostriches in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. Ostriches find the vast dry plains ideal for running away from predators and taking care of their young. Fewer large trees and vegetation are enabling them to have a clear view of their surroundings and any approaching danger.
Apart from ostriches, over 240 bird species can be sighted here. They include the African eagles, cormorants, cranes, darters, egrets, grass birds, hawks, herons, hornbills, jacanas, lapwings, owls, pelicans, plovers, turacos, vultures, and weaver birds. The reserve has not been studied extensively by bird researchers, and it is believed that there are other species yet to be discovered. The best place for birding is at the Cheposukunya hot springs.
Mount Kadam Mountain and rock climbing
One of the most striking features of the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is its vast plains, rocks, and mountains. Those who love exploring rocks or climbing less demanding mountains can try Mount Kadam. If Mount Kadam is too challenging, then one can start with one of the numerous large rocks.
Nature Walks
Guides from the Uganda Wildlife Authority can arrange nature walks in the reserve. These walks offer arguably the best way to explore the area. As you walk through the reserve, you experience the true feeling of an African wilderness because very few people live or move around there. Unlike major national parks such as Murchison Falls National Park, the reserve remains largely untouched by human activity. During the walk, you will likely encounter various reptiles, birds, primates, and herds of antelopes.
Cultural Encounters
As already mentioned earlier, the tribes living close to the Pian Upe game reserve are the Karamajong and Kalenjin. These nomadic pastoralists depend on their cattle for survival in this semi-arid region. Their culture is unique and kept intact despite continued exposure to modernization. While on a guided community walk, you can learn about how the locals go about their daily lives. You can go and watch the evening traditional Karamajong dances/drama, and marriage ceremonies if you are lucky. The best place to learn about the culture of the people in the area is the new Karamoja Cultural Museum located at the foothills of Mount Moroto. The museum holds a large collection of items/artifacts that describe the culture of the Karamojong.
Cave exploration
Ancient rock paintings hide within some of the rocks found in the game reserve. One such site is the Napendio Cave. Local people consider this cave sacred, and it contains remarkable paintings of wild animals such as baboons and antelopes. The caves in Pian Upe Game Reserve preserve paintings that date back thousands of years to the time when the first humans settled in the area. Another fascinating site is the Napedet Cave.
Hunters from the Pokwot and Karamajong communities once used the Napedet Cave as a major hunting site. At this cave, they roasted and shared meat among themselves. Visitors can still see cooking stones that date back more than 500 years. Ancient artwork decorates the cave walls and portrays animals such as elands, warthogs, roan antelopes, and giraffes.
Apart from the paintings, you can have a clear view of the vast wilderness and amazing wildlife from these caves. Bush camping is arranged close to the caves at a fee of 15,000 shillings.
The best time to go to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Pian Upe Game Reserve receives two dry seasons and one rainy season. January to March is the driest part of the year. November to December is also dry, but the vegetation is still green after the rains between April and October.
Most tourists prefer visiting during the dry season (January – March). The dry season allows for a clearer view of the animals as they gather around the few remaining water holes. The rainy season (April to October) is not ideal for visiting because of the poor conditions of the park roads. The roads become very muddy and difficult to navigate through, even with the hardest of four-wheel drive vehicles. Some sections of the roads even get flooded as the rivers get filled with rainwater. The animals have plenty of food and water at this time of the year and tend to move in small, scattered groups, making them difficult to spot. The best time to visit, in our opinion, is during November and December. This is still the dry season, but the park is still green with less heat.
Packing list for a safari in Pian Upe Game Reserve
Like in any major national park or reserve, you need to go to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve prepared. As an international traveler, there are several things to take into consideration before coming to Uganda.
A VISA and a yellow fever vaccination card
are a must. After those two are sorted, you also need to think about the following:
Warm and light clothes
For most parts of the year, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is very hot during the day and cold during the night. You need to come in warm clothes for the night and light clothes (sleeveless shirts and shorts) to deal with the extra heat, especially during the dry season. The heat during the day can be intense, especially if you are coming from the cold winter back in your country. Campfires can be set to keep travelers warm during the night as they admire the amazing Milky Way.
Insect repellents
Like most national parks in Uganda, this wildlife reserve has countless species of insects. Some have painful stings. An insect repellent will keep the insects away.
A hat and hiking shoes
A wide hat is important to help protect you from the sunlight during the hot season. Sturdy shoes will help you navigate through difficult and rocky terrain while also protecting you from sharp trees and thorns.
Gadgets
To capture the amazing landscape and wildlife, move with a good camera. You may also need to move with your phone, laptop, tablet, or binoculars. All these gadgets should have chargers and extra batteries, if possible, so that you don’t lose communication with family back home during your safari.
Accommodation in Pian Upe Game Reserve
Accommodation within Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve: This includes cost-effective, mostly self-contained tents and cottages provided by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Alternatively, visitors can bring their tents and camp within the reserve for approximately $5. Meals offered typically include chicken, rice, Rolex, and spaghetti. For those who choose to set up their camp, they may bring their food and have it prepared on-site.
Accommodation in towns outside the reserve
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is located close to the Sipi Falls and Mount Elgon National Park. You can decide to stay in one of the high-quality lodges near Sipi Falls or in Mbale town. From Sipi Falls, it takes between 1 and 2 hours to reach the reserve. From Mbale town, it takes 2 ½ hours to the reserve.
The cost of visiting Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
According to the latest information from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, park entrance costs $35 for international visitors. Foreign residents pay $25 while East African Nationals only need to pay 15000 Uganda shillings. Children of international travelers pay $5, while those from East African countries pay 2500 Ugandan shillings. The game drives and guided nature walks are charged separately. Payments are made directly at the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices. It is important to note that these prices do not include accommodation and transport outside the reserve. One needs to set aside money for accommodation either within or outside the park. International visitors are advised to book their safari through a reputable tour operator like Safari Vacations and Travel Services.
