Pian Upe

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is a great place to visit for one day if you are traveling from Jinja, Sipi Falls, or Mount Elgon to Moroto or Kidepo Valley. This amazing reserve is a hidden gem in the Karamoja region of Uganda.

If you want a wild and peaceful safari, this is the perfect spot! Pian Upe is very large — over 2,788 square kilometers — and is Uganda’s second-biggest nature reserve after Murchison Falls National Park.

The reserve is surrounded by beautiful mountains and hills, including Mount Kadam, which is great for hiking. These mountains make the views more beautiful and are perfect for walking safaris.

There are also rivers like the Kadam River and Matheniko River that flow through the park. These rivers attract animals and are important for water in this dry area. The reserve is home to many kinds of animals. You can see famous African animals like Rothschild giraffes, leopards, and buffalo.

But you may also see rare animals you can’t find in other parts of Uganda, such as roan antelope, eland, gazelles, ostriches, klipspringer, reedbuck, serval cats, and cheetahs. Very few tourists visit Pian Upe — less than 1% — so you may have the whole park to yourself! The roads in the reserve are not always in good condition, so sometimes you cannot drive everywhere. But that’s okay! You can go on a walking safari instead — and they are amazing!

Activities In Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

1. Walking safari

A walking safari in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is a fun and adventurous way to explore the area.

Instead of driving, you walk through the wild with a trained guide, giving you the chance to really connect with nature. As you walk, you’ll enjoy beautiful landscapes, fresh air, and the sounds of the wild. Pian Upe is home to many colorful birds and amazing animals.

You might see zebras grazing in the open plains, tall giraffes moving through the trees, shy elands, graceful roan antelopes, and even giant ostriches running across the grasslands.

Your guide will help you spot animal tracks, droppings, feathers, and other signs that show where animals have passed. They will also share interesting facts about the plants, animals, and history of the area.

2. Game Drive

If the weather is good and the roads are okay, you can enjoy a game drive in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. A game drive means riding in a safari vehicle while looking for wild animals in their natural home. During the drive, you might see many animals like elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, buffalo, cheetahs, leopards, and the rare roan antelope.

There are also many other animals and birds to discover. Your guide will help you spot the animals and will share interesting facts about them and the reserve. Game drives are a relaxing way to enjoy the wide-open landscapes and beautiful views of Pian Upe.

If the roads are too muddy or blocked because of rain, don’t worry — you can still explore the reserve on foot with a walking safari. Walking safaris are just as exciting and give you a close-up view of nature.

3. Trekking Mount Kadam

Mount Kadam (3,063 metres / 10,049 feet) is a great place for hiking.

Whether you want a short-day hike or a longer adventure over several days, the experience will be unforgettable! If you choose the multi-day trek, you will begin in a nearby village where you will meet your friendly team of guides and porters.

They will help and walk with you for the next 2 to 3 days. At night, you will sleep in a tent on the mountain — a real adventure under the stars! As you hike, you will pass through beautiful countryside and thick forests with huge trees.

Watch out for colorful birds and playful monkeys in the trees around you. The trail is natural, so it’s not always smooth — you will walk on sand, tree roots, and climb some steep parts. That’s why good hiking boots and comfortable clothes are a must.