Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is located north of Mount Elgon in Nakapiripirit District in northeastern Uganda. It covers an area of 2,043 square kilometers. The landscape has savannah with shrubs, red acacia, beard grasses, thatching grasses, lemon grasses, bristle species, and rocky outcrops.
The best time to visit Pian Upe is from January to March when the roads are dry and easier to use. During the dry season, the grass is short, making it easier to see animals. From April to October, the rainy season makes the roads muddy and slippery. The vegetation becomes thick, which makes it hard to spot animals. Visitors are advised to use four-wheel drive vehicles because the roads are rough.
During the dry season, animals gather at the few water sources left. Some of the rare animals to look out for include cheetahs, olive baboons, patas monkeys, rock hyrax, vervet monkeys, African hares, and roan antelopes. Leopards and spotted hyenas are often found near rocky areas. Other animals in Pian Upe include zebras, Cape buffaloes, jackals, hartebeests, and oribis.
The best time to see animals is during morning and evening game drives. These drives are peaceful and quiet because few people visit the reserve, allowing you to enjoy the wildlife in a calm setting.
Pian Upe also offers guided nature walks through the grasslands and hikes to Mount Kadam, Napak, or Elgon. You can also arrange a hike to Napedet Cave, which has paintings of baboons, hartebeests, and giraffes. These were made by early people who lived in the area before it became a wildlife reserve.
Bird watching is another good activity in Pian Upe. Some of the birds you may see include the Karamoja apalis, wild ostriches, secretary birds, superb starlings, and green bita. These birds can be seen in the open plains and trees of the reserve.
For accommodation, there are simple facilities managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority called bandas, located at the reserve headquarters in Pian. Visitors can also bring their own tents or rent one from the reserve. Another option is Karamoja Overland Camp, which has self-contained tents with showers, electricity, and flush toilets.
A visit to Pian Upe is not complete without meeting the local Karamojong community. This reserve is a good choice for anyone who wants to experience nature and culture together.
