1. PIAN- UPE GAME RESERVE:
The beautiful game reserve is located in Karamoja sub region North East of Uganda, it covers an area of about 2,275 km2 making it the second biggest protected area in the country just after Kabalega National Park aka. Murchison Falls National Park.
The Southern part was gazette as the Debasien animal sanctuary in 1958 and was later expanded northwards and renamed Pian-Upe game reserve.
This mesmerizing wildlife reserve derived its name from the Karimojong local dialect which means friendly enemy. The game reserve is composed of hot springs and it is sighted as one of the most incredible with mercury wells just at mount Kadam. It also comprises of wooded grasslands, grassland, riverine woodland, kopjes and others.
The main tree species in and around the reserve includes the red acacia, desert dates, bush willows, Arizona, Abyssinia as well as shrubs such as butterfly pea and wobbly caper bush.
The Pian-Upe wildlife reserve harbors 44mammal species ,242 bird species and reptiles e.g. dik-dik roan antelopes, jackals ,aardvark, cheetahs hedgehogs, ostriches, Jacksons hornbill, white headed buffalo and reptiles likes rock pythons, puff adders water snacks, lizards etc. .
The beauty of this game reserve is the stunning landscape sceneries with surrounding mountains.
The activities that can be done at Pian-Upe wildlife reserve include; game drives, birding ,mountain climbing, nature walks , cultural encounters, visiting Napendio cave.
However, make sure you use a very reliable 4X4 vehicle when visiting this place especially during the rainy season. If you can afford make sure the vehicle is fitted with a functioning winch and carry a hoe, spade and towing ropes too for any emergency.
Also remember that this is in the Karamoja region which experiences extreme warm weather patterns so carry enough light garments, and a few warm garments for the cooler night hours. Be well equipped with emergency lights, spare batteries for your cameras and torches/lamps.
2. BOKORA CORRIDOR GAME RESERVE
Is a conservation area protected in north eastern Uganda covering an area of 794km2, it was gazetted in 1964 and made part of the large Karamoja wildlife conversation region.
Bokora corridor game reserve is mainly covered by savannah grasslands and then the shrubs, bushes and short trees it also has swamps like Loporokocho swamp.
The northern side of the reserve hosts two mountains i.e. madam and Napak giving it a stunning view.
The game reserve harbors a wide variety of animals and bird species like the ostrich, dusky turtle, thick billed honey, and animals like cheetah, lions, hyenas, Uganda kobs, hartebeests, reedbucks, antelopes etc.
The Karimojong people who live in this region have kept their culture original by failing to embrace modernity. They are great entertainers who love to sing and dance for visitors.
The activities that can be done at the game reserve include; birding, game drives, cultural encounters, camping, hiking and mountain climbing.
3. MATHENIKO WILDLIFE RESERVE
Is found in the north eastern part of Uganda of Uganda in Karamoja sub region. It is the fifth most threatened conservation protected area in Uganda. It is part of the corridor of the protected areas in Karamoja that stretches from Kidepo national park down through Bokora and Pian-Upe wild reserves.
Its north eastern boundary is also the Uganda – Kenya boarder. It covers an area of 590km2 and has conditions similar to those found in Somalia and Masai land in Kenya.
The common vegetation is the red spike thorns, red acacia, bush willows, and shrubs, etc. The game reserve also stands out because of its beautiful landscape ,unique vegetation mountains and rocky outcrops.
The animals and plants found in Matheniko wildlife reserve consists of mainly those that can survive harsh conditions because it is semi-arid with high temperatures and little rainfall.
The predators includes several cats such as wild cats, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, etc.
The primates includes the patas monkeys, baboons, vervvet monkeys, while antelopes rules this reserve and includes dik,dik , eland, Uganda KOB , oribi etc.
It also harbors caped buffaloes, reptiles e.g. skinks, chameleons, puff adders, water snakes etc. and it is also a birders paradise.
Activities that can be done at Matheniko wildlife reserve include, birding, cultural encounters, game drives, sport fishing, mountain\rock climbing, visiting Matheniko community conservation and beekeeping project, rock paintings ,camping.
4. AJAI WILDLIFE RESERVE
Is a small conservation protected area in the north eastern Uganda dominated by a large island that is surrounded by seasonally flooded swamps and wooded savannah. It also lies on the western bank of the White Nile.
It covers an area of about 166km2 with all the treasures that that this wildlife holds, it is the perfect place for a safari and will leave the visitors yearning for more.
Ajai wild life reserve is a home to some large mammals and considerable birdlife .It was named after the local chief “AJAI” who first declared it a sanctuary in 1937, hence the reserve derived its name from him.
It was a home to the few white rhinos in Uganda and is now extinct within the wildlife reserve this explains why it used to be called “ Ajai rhino sanctuary”
Though the rhinoceros are now nonexistent in the reserve ,it is a home to a variety of wildlife of wildlife species which are encountered while on a tour in the reserve such as olive baboons , the black and white colobus monkeys and ververt monkeys ,the warthogs ,sitatungas , lions, Lewel hartebeest ,leopards , blue duikers zebras , hippos, water bucks and more. Activities that can be done at Ajai wildlife reserve include ;gorilla trekking , golden monkey tracking, cultural tours, birding, game drives, boat cruises, balloon safaris , hiking and nature walks
