Gazetted in 1964 by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Matheniko Game Reserve is located in Moroto District in northeastern Uganda. It is one of the wildlife conservation reserves in the Karamoja region, along with Pian Upe and Bokora Wildlife Reserves. Matheniko covers a total area of 590 square miles and includes shrubs, dry savannah, acacia woodlands, and rocky outcrops.
The best time to visit the reserve is during the dry season, which runs from September to March. The roads are easier to use during this time, though the terrain is rough, so a 4×4 safari vehicle is recommended. You can reach the reserve by road or fly from Entebbe International Airport to Moroto Airstrip.
Matheniko Game Reserve is home to animals that survive in dry and harsh conditions. Because the area gets very little rain, the number of animals is smaller than in Kidepo. Some of the wildlife you may see include antelopes, leopards, buffaloes, jackals, wild cats, monkeys, hyenas, waterbucks, cheetahs, and snakes.
Game drives are best done in the morning or evening when the animals are most active. Guided drives usually start from Moroto town before heading into the reserve.
Because of its location, a visit to Matheniko also offers a chance to meet the Karamojong people. Their way of life is unique, and cattle are an important part of their culture. You will see their manyattas (traditional homesteads), clothing, communal lifestyle, and local foods. Their music and dance performances, where they sing and jump in rhythm, are a highlight.
Bird watching is another activity you can enjoy in Matheniko. Birds found here include lemon doves, Egyptian vultures, ostriches, dusky turtle doves, Abyssinian ground hornbills, egrets, African hill barbets, pygmy falcons, and Hartlaub’s turaco, among others. Bird lovers will enjoy spotting these species.
Matheniko Game Reserve also has many rocks, and visitors can enjoy rock climbing. From the top, you can get wide views of the Karamoja region. A visit to see the nearby rock paintings can also be arranged. A knowledgeable guide will explain the history and meaning of the rock art.
Matheniko Game Reserve is not visited by many people, but it offers a true experience of nature, culture, and wildlife in a quiet and natural setting.
