Wildlife in pian upe game reserve
Wildlife in Pian Upe Game Reserve: Pian upe is located in north eastern part of Uganda in Nakapiripiti district in karamoja region and is one of the beautiful adventurous protected area in Uganda. Pian upe game reserve covers a total land area of about 2,788 square kilometers which makes it the second largest protect wild life area after Murchison falls national park and the reserve is managed by ‘’mount Elgon’’ conservation area. Pian upe game reserve has two section both southern and northern section, but the southern section of the reserve was first gazetted in 1958 as Debasien animal sanctuary and later along in 1964 the reserve was expanded northwards and named pian upe game reserve. The wild life reserve derives its name from Karamojong word which means ‘’friendly enemy’’. Pian upe game reserve was established in1964 and it is comprised of different wildlife species like leopards, reedbucks and various vegetation types including wooded grasslands, kopjes, and some forest which acts as habitats for different wildlife species.
Bird species in pian upe games reserve; Pian up game reserve is one of the best birding site area in Uganda that offers bird watching with over 250 recorded bird species in pian upe including endemic birds, forest birds, water birds and migratory among. These birds includes  Eurasian Hoopes, pale flycatcher, Brown Babbler, Abyssinian, Rose-ringed parakeet, stone partridge, Rufous chatterer, Eastern paradise whydah, White-bellied tit, Superb sterling, Ostrich, Green Bitta, Ring-necked Francolin, Abyssinian Ground hornbill, Jackson’s Hornbill, Secretary birds, verreaux’s eagle, Hartlaubs among others. Most of these birds can be viewed during game drive and nature walks around Lokoropocho swamps.
Mammals in pian upe game reserve; Pian upe game is also famously known as home of various mammals species including leopards, Topi, Gunthers Dik Dik, Waterbucks, Bohor, cheetahs, Buffalos, elands, oribi, Roan antelopes, Uganda Kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest, common duikers, lions, aardvarks, rock hyrax, crested porcupines, jackals, spotted hyenas, civets, serval cats, wild cats, impalas which later were relocated to lake Mburo national park among others. Pian upe game reserve also harbors different primates like Patas monkeys, Vervet monkeys, olive baboons four-toed hedgehogs among other mammals and these mammals in pian upe game reserve can be viewed during game driving in comfortable 4 WD vehicle and guided nature walk.
Reptiles in pian upe game reserve: Pian upe game reserve also harbors different reptile species including harmless water snakes, savannah monitor lizards, common agama, rock pythons, skinks, chameleons, geckos and crocodiles which are found in river Girik.
Plants in pian upe game reserve; Pian upe game reserve is covered by uninterrupted grassland, wooded grassland and some forested area which is dominated by different tree species, the reserve is also famous for nurturing indigenous plant species which feed the wild life in the reserve even in dry season, these species include the Red acacia, desert date, bush willows, Wolly caper, red spike thorns, shrubs, among others.
Climate in pian upe game reserve; Pian upe game reserve is characterized by semi-arid climate with one major rainfall season in months of march to may which experiences heavy rain and light rainfall in month of June. This kind of climate helps in the growth of vegetation in the reserve of which animals feeds on but however this heavy rain in pian upe game reserve makes access to roads very difficult due to tall grasses in the road.
Best time to visit pian upe game reserve
Pian upe game reserve can be visited through out the year though the best time to visit pian upe game reserve is during dry season in months of July to September and December to February. This is the best time when you can be actually see the wildlife for the best wildlife experience in the Pian Upe  During this season there is less rainfall in the reserve therefore access to roads is so easy and passable compared to rainy season where roads will be muddy and slippery. During the dry season travelers are able to view clearly the wildlife animals because the grass is short.
Accessing pian upe game reserve
Accessing pian upe game reserve is so easy as it is located in northeastern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means and it is 8 to 9 hours ‘drive from Kampala to the reserve’s headquarters.
