
Top Safari Activities To Do In Pian Upe Game Reserve
Top safari activities to do in Pian Upe wildlife reserve: Pian Upe game reserve is situated in the North-Eastern side of Uganda in Nakapiripirit district between Kidepo valley national park and Mount Elgon national park. Pian Upe game reserve covers a total area of 2,275 sq. km making it the second-largest conservation area after Murchison falls national park.
Pian Upe game reserve is made up of different vegetation types among which include grasslands, woodlands, and shrubs which act as habitats for wildlife species such as elands, oribi, zebras, buffaloes, duikers, Dik Dik, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, leopards, hyenas, serval cats, reedbucks, gazelle, roan antelopes, primates like vervet monkeys, olive baboons, patas monkeys and different bird species such as the ostrich, herons, egrets, Jackson’s hornbill, hornbills, great Hartlaub’s bustard, and white-headed buffalo weaver among others.
Top safari activities to engage in Pian Upe game reserve
Game drives in Pian Upe game reserve
The game drive is one of the charming activities in the Pian Upe game reserve where you will get an opportunity to explore the game reserve in a comfortable 4 WD safari vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver-guide. During the game drive which can either be done early in the morning for an opportunity to find some of the nocturnal animals before going to their hideout places or in the afternoon, you will follow different game tracks which will reward you will clear views of wild animals such as buffaloes, zebras, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, topi, reedbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, roan antelopes, oribi, elands, views of predators like cheetahs, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, civets, serval cats, wildcats, reptiles such as geckos, rock pythons, agama, venomous puff adders, chameleons, rock pythons, and savannah monitors among others.
During the game drive you will also be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery, view bird species like secretary birds, African Hill Babbler, yellow-billed shrike, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Black-throated Wattle-eye, ostrich, Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeon, Dusky Turtle Dove, Mountain Yellow Warbler, among others.
Bird watching in Pian Upe game reserve
Pian Upe game reserve is a home of more than 240 recorded bird species which makes it one of the best birding areas in Uganda. Bird watching in Pian Upe wildlife reserve is best done in the morning or evening with a well-trained bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species such as Karamoja Apalis, secretary bird, African Hill Babbler, superb sterling, Black-throated Wattle-eye, ostrich, yellow-billed shrike, lapwings, pelicans, cormorants, herons, hornbills, crown cranes, owls, weaver birds, Mountain Yellow Warbler, vultures, plovers, Dusky Turtle Dove, darters, pelicans, turacos, egrets among others.
Nature walks/ hiking in Pian Upe game reserve
Pian Upe game reserve offers the most fascinating nature walks where you will get out of the safari vehicle and sightsee the reserve on foot with the company of a well-trained park guide and an armed park ranger to protect you from any danger from animals. During the guided nature walk you will get up-close and personal with different animals such as zebras, elands, buffaloes, topi, Uganda kobs, primates like vervet monkeys, olive baboons, patas monkeys, spot different bird species like the ostrich, enjoy the cool breeze, beautiful scenery, listen to sweet sounds of different bird species, meet reptiles. view colorful butterflies among others.
Cultural encounters in Pian Upe game reserve
Cultural encounter is a thrilling activity where you will get a chance to interact with the locals living around the wildlife reserve. Two tribes are living around to Pian Upe wildlife reserve and these are the Karamajong and Kalenjin therefore during the cultural encounter you will be able to learn about the local peoples’
tradition, culture, way of living, visit their homesteads, taste their local foods, get entertained by the traditional dancers in form of music, dance and drama, buy souvenirs, listen to their old stories among others.
Where to stay while on your safari in Pian Upe game reserve
There are several accommodation facilities in and near Pian Upe game reserve where you can stay during your safari depending on your budget. The accommodation ranges from budget, mid-range, luxury, and campsites including self-contained tents or cottages of Uganda Wildlife Authority, campsites, and lodges at Sipi and Mbale town among others.
What is the best time to visit the Pian Upe game reserve?
Pian Upe game reserve can be visited at any time of the year though the best time is during the dry season which happens in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. During the dry season there is little or no rainfall therefore vegetation will be thin making wildlife viewing easy and animals will gather around the water bodies to drink water hence making wildlife viewing easy.
How to get to Pian Upe game reserve
Pian Upe game reserve is situated in the North-Eastern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport from Kampala or Entebbe via Mbale city to Maruajore headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive in a safari vehicle and about 2 to 3 hours’ drive from Sipi falls to Pian Upe headquarters.