Pian Upe wildlife reserve is Uganda’s second biggest protected wildlife area located in eastern Uganda along the northern edges of Mt. Elgon. Covering over a 2788sq.km expansive area, Pian Upe wildlife reserve was established in 1964 to protect a diversity of flora and fauna between Mt Elgon and Karamoja plains. The reserve protects a unique semi arid vegetation predominant with a mixed cover of Acacia commiphora, savanna grasslands, acacia thornbush, and rocky outrocks supporting an equally diversity of both bird and wildlife. The north-eastern reserve edges are dominated by the scenic and towering Mt Kadam a 3043m high volcanic massif.
Pian Upe wildlife reserve is named after two pastoral groups that reside here: the Upe are a Kalenjin speaking people also known as the Pokot and the Pian being an offshoot of the Karimojong.
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Biodiversity
Pian Upe wildlife reserve protects a unique vegetational type of mixed Acacia-Commiphora much similar to Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystems. Elsewhere vegetation is dominated by desert date and red acacia, sausage trees, savanna grassland plains, bush willows, kopjes and riverwoodlands. Wildlife list is excellent and includes some the rarest species in Uganda, Cheater, Mountain reedbuck, greater kudu, lelwel hartebeest, greater kudu, dik-dik and roan antelope.
Attractions and Activities to do at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
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Game drives
Pian Upe reserve offers an off-the-beaten path wildlife expereince bringing you up-close to a diversity of game, birdlife and stunning scenery. Game highlights include large herds of common eland, waterbucks, buffalo, mountain reedbuck, roan antelope, plain zebra, topi, oribi. Carnivores are fairly represented in Leopard, spotted hyena, Serval and when in luck, Cheater. Primatesseet on drives include patas monkey, olive baboon and vervet monkeys.
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Birding safaris
with a checklist of over 280 bird species, Pian upe reserve is one of the Uganda’s best birding hotspot notably for the Somali-Masai biome/habitat and dry-country bird species which extend here on their western range limit. Highlights here Uganda’s only endemics; the Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis both common in the acacia drepanolobium sections. Others include, various dry country hornbills, common ostrich, fox’s kestrel, yellow-necked spurfowl, superb starling and more. This checklist includes
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Walking safaris
The reserve offers excellent walking safaris tailored to your interest from birding, to game viewing on foot to casual wandering across the wilderness. These guided walks are accompanied by knowledgeable armed ranger and nature guides that will help identify various tracks, signs along the walk, identify various bird calls, point out various birdlife and gae encountered along. The walk duration lasts up to 2hrs.
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Mountain Hiking
Mountain hiking is a popular adventure activity at Pian Upe Wildlife reserve where options include hikes to Mt Kadam a 3043m high volcanic massif on the north-east edges and Mt. Napak a 2520m high lying along the north edges of the reserve. Hiking options range One day to 2-Days hikes.
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Guided Community Walks
While at Pian Upe reserve guided community tours visit the neighbouring groups of Pian and Upe pastoral groups. On a visit, you will learn of diverse traditions and norms that set these semi nomadic groups apart, participate in warrior dances and meet and interact with them.
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Visit Ancient Rock Paintings at Napedet Caves
Visit the ancient the ancient rock art of paintings hidden in the cave of Napedet within Pian Upe. The paintings which are credited to the hunter gatherers that once roamed these plains depict forms of antelopes and human activities similar to paintings in Nyero near Kumi district east of the reserve. Napedet is a Karamojong loosely translated as “hole offers stunning all-round views of the surrounding plains.
Other Attractions and Activities in Pian Upe Wildlife reserve
Other activities available at Pian Upe wildlife reserve include wilderness camping where you will pitch your tent in the wilderness and listen to nature untamed. Biking or cycling is offered as long as you carry your own bike.
Getting here
The reserve lies along Mbale – Moroto road about 90km (1.5hrs drive )from Mbale town where the main office of Morujore lies 1km from the main road. The reserve lies only
1hr drive from Sipi falls on Mount Elgon.