Uganda wildlife reserves: Uganda the Pearl of Africa is home to a total of 12 remarkable Game Reserves, all offer their own unique attractions and remarkable activities, that make them visited destinations while on a Uganda safari adventure, and below is the list of the Uganda amazing game reserves
Aswa Lolim game reserve
Aswa Lolim Game Reserve is suited in the northern part of Uganda in Amuru district north of Murchison falls national park. Aswa Lolim Game Reserve was gazetted in 1959, making it on of the oldest game reserves in Uganda, to protect wildlife species in Murchison falls national park. The reserve covers an area of approximately 831 sq km, it a home to over 50 mammals, 181 bird species and over 374 plant species, primates such as blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys and red-tailed monkeys among others, making it a perfect place for birdwatching, nature walks, as well as wildlife viewing among others.
Ajai wildlife reserve
Is located on the western banks of the Albert Nile in north-western Uganda in Arua district. Ajai wildlife reserve covers an area of approximately 166 square kilometers and it comprises grasslands, sparse savannah woodland and swamps. The Reserve is home to amazing and colorful birds such as Marabou stock, Helmeted Guineafowl, African Fish Eagle, Grey-crowned Cranes, White Browed Council, Black-headed Weaver among others, making it one of the best destinations for Uganda birding safaris. The Reserve is also home to several animals such as Uganda Kobs, warthogs, hartebeests, oribis, sitatunga, hippos, leopards, crocodiles, waterbucks, common duiker, As well as primate’s species such as olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys. Tourists on a Uganda safari in Ajia Game Reserve will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities such as birding, nature walks and game drives, community walks among others.
Bokora Corridor Game Reserve
Bokora Corridor Game Reserve is situated in northeastern Uganda in the Karamoja sub-region. the reserve derived its name from bokora ethnic group of people. The Reserve covers an area of approximately 2056 square kilometers with a remarkable landscape. The Reserve is rich with diversity such as animals such as the Rothschild’s giraffe, elands, , Uganda Kobs, lesser kudu, roan antelopes, cheetahs, Topis, striped hyenas and reedbucks among others and bird species such as thick-bill honey guide, ostriches, dusky turtle dove, white-headed buffalo-weaver, eastern bronze-napped pigeon, black-throated wattle-eye, lemon dove, grey cuckoo-shrike, Hartlaub’s turaco, African hill babbler, mountain yellow-warbler, alpine chat, Jackson’s hornbill among others, making its the best destination of Uganda birdwatching tours. Tourists on an Uganda safari in Bokora Corridor Game Reserve have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities such as birdwatching at Loporokocho swamp, hikes to Mount Kadam, nature walks, and community visits to the Karamojong people among others.
Bugungu Game Reserve
Bugungu Game Reserve is situated between Bulisa and Masindi district at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment to the west of Murchison falls national park. Bugungu Game Reserve covers an area of approximately 473 square kilometers and is home to over 600 Uganda Kobs, 1200 oribis other animals’ incudes buffaloes, elephants, lions, waterbuck, hartebeest and over 240 bird species. Visitors on a Uganda wildlife safari in Bugungu Game Reserve have the opportunity to participate in variety of amazing activities such as nature walks, game drives camping, birdwatching, photography, and community visits to explore the cultures of people living near the reserve. Tourists can also embark on their journey to explore Murchison falls national park or even visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary among others.
Kyambura Game Reserve
Kyambura Game Reserve, is a hidden gem located within the mighty Queen Elizabeth National Park, bordering the Rwenzori Mountains to the north and Lake Edward to the southwest. Kyambura Wildlife Reserve covers an area of approximately 156 square kilometers (60 sq mi). The reserve is encompassed by diverse landscapes, including tropical forests, savannah grasslands, wetlands, riverine forests, and rugged gorges. The heart of the reserve is the stunning Kyambura Gorge, a deep Gorge by the Kyambura River over millions of years. The reserve was formed as the Kyambura-controlled hunting area in 1962 and then upgraded to game reserve status in 1965. Kyambura Wildlife Reserve is a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 300 species of birds recorded in the area. The Reserve’s diverse habitats support a wide variety of different kinds of bird species, including waterbirds, forest birds, savannah species, and migratory birds. Hence, it is one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. Visitors to the Reserve may encounter mammals such as chimpanzees, elephants, hippos, and various antelopes, as well as monkeys like red-tailed monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys
Katonga Wildlife Reserve.
Katonga Game Reserve is located in the Southwestern region of Uganda, which covers a total surface area of about 211 square kilometers and it is famously known for its wetland ecosystem. More so, the Katonga River, which is considered the main tourist attraction within the Reserve is a suitable habitat to some animals like; hippos, and crocodiles other animals include, shy Sitatunga antelopes, African elephants, reedbucks, Uganda Kobs, river otters, waterbucks. the reserve is also home to over 150 bird species such as squacco heron, Madagascar pond-heron, purple heron, goliath heron, grey heron, black-headed heron, intermediate egret, rufous-billed heron, cattle egret, little egret among others. Visting Katonga Game Reserve on a Uganda safari gives tourists great opportunities to engage in several interesting activities like; guided nature walks, canoe riding, community visits, cultural encounters, bird watching, wildlife viewing and many others.
Matheniko Game Reserve.
Matheniko Game Reserve is located in the Northeastern region of Uganda in the Karamoja region, which covers a total surface area of about 240 square kilometers. This Reserve is characterized by its beautiful physical features such as; rugged mountains, and vast grasslands, rugged mountains which all act as good natural habitats for many wildlife species such as; buffalos, roan antelopes, elephants, lesser kudu, bright’s gazelle, as well as birds such as ostriches, alpine chat, grey- cuckoo shrike, thick billed honey guide among others. This Reserve holds some of the ancient rock paintings said to date back to 3000 years ago which acts as a tourist attraction. Exploring Matheniko game reserve on a methanic Uganda safari offers tourists the opportunity to explore the Reserve’s hidden gems on a game drive, nature walks and even birdwatching. In addition, visiting the neighboring communities around the reserve gives tourists chances to interact with the Karamojong people and learn more about their culture, customs and traditions and many others.
Toro-Semliki Game Reserve
Toro-Semliki Game Reserve is situated between the Kabarole and Ntoroko districts within western Uganda in Semliki National Park. Toro-Semliki Game Reserve was gazetted in 1926 making it one of the oldest game reserves in Uganda. The Reserve is one of the best wildlife reserves, hosting a variety of wildlife species such as animals includes, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, elephants, hyenas among others, primate’s species like De Brazza’s monkeys, Grey-Cheeked mangabey, Vervet monkeys, Central African red colobus, blue monkeys, red trailed monkeys, Dent’s mona monkeys among others, the reserve is home to over 400 bird species such as great white pelican, pied kingfisher, African open bill among others. Tourists on a Uganda wildlife safari at Toro-Semliki reserve have the opportunity to embark on a variety of activities such as boat rides on Lake Albert, nature walks, wildlife viewing, birdwatching and community visits among others.
Kigezi Game Reserve
Kigezi Game Reserve is situated in the Rukungiri district in the western park of Uganda. The Reserve covers a total area of approximately 265 square kilometers. The Reserve is home to numerous wildlife species such as animals like elephants, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, giant forest hogs, Topis, and bushbucks, as well as numerous bird species like Hamerkop, grey-crowned cranes, saddle-billed stock, peregrine falcon, verreaux’s eagle, red-faced barbets among others.
Karuma Game Reserve
Karuma Game Reserve is known its great feature, the Karuma waterfalls on the river Nile. kuruma Game Reserve is located near Murchison falls national park, making it easy to combine with a Uganda wildlife safari in Murchison falls national park. The Game Reserve is home to a variety of wildlife species such as animals like buffaloes, lions, leopards, several antelopes, Uganda Kobs, oribis, topis, and Rothschild giraffes, It is also known for its abundance of primates like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and L’Hoest monkeys among other. For those interested in birding, Kuruma Game Reserve is home to some of the colorful bird species such as the pied kingfisher, Senegal think-nee, swamp flycatcher, yellow-throated leaf, grey-crowned cranes, Abdmin’s stock, rock pranticole, giant heron among others.
Pian Upe Game Reserve
Pian Upe Game Reserve is one of Uganda’s largest wildlife reserves with a total land area of about 2,304 sq. Km. It is located in the Nakapiripirit district in the Karamoja region. The Reserve stretches from the foothills of Mount Kadam at the Kenya-Uganda border to Kyoga. The Reserve is made up of a savannah and wetland ecological system in he north. The reserve is endowed with unique wildlife species such as Topi, hartebeest, eland, leopard, lion, buffalo, giraffe, bright’s gazelle and others. The Reserve holds a large population of the roan antelopes. The Reserve serves as a route for migratory species of birds from Europe, and it is home to birds such as Abyssinian ground hornbill, Jackson’s hornbill, ostriches, Karamoja Apalis, fox’s weavers, and great Kartlaub’s bustard among others. Tourists on Uganda safaris in the reserve can engage in activities like nature walks, birdwatching, hiking Mount Kadam, and wildlife viewing among others.
Kabwoya Game Reserve
Kabwoya Game Reserve is situated along the Western floor of Albertine Rift Valley. The Reserve is situated between the Rift Valley escarpment, Albert and the astonishing blue mountains of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. The Reserve offers tourists one of the best remarkable landscapes in western Uganda. Kabwoya Game Reserves covers an area of about 87 sq km more so in the north borders by the community wildlife areas such as Kaiso–Tonya. These communities’ area originally constituted the Kaiso- Tonya Controlled Hunting Area, which was gazetted in 1963 and became a wildlife reserve in 2002. kabwoya Game Reserve is home to a variety of wildlife species including primates such as chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons, black and white monkeys, animals like buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeests, Uganda Kobs, bush duikers, waterbucks, the Reserves also houses over 460 different birds’ species such as Rwenzori turaco, handsome francolin, stipe breasted- tit, dusky crimson wing and Shelley’s among others. Visitors on an Uganda wildlife safari in Kabwoya Game Reserve have the opportunity to engage in several activities such as birdwatching, nature walks/ hikes, fishing, fossil hunting, mountain bike riding, quad bike rides, and horseback rides among others.
