Game Reserves in Karamoja Region : Karamoja Region has more reserves, including Pian Upe Wildlife Game Reserve and Matheniko Wildlife Game Reserve. Explore the best Karamoja willdife reserves while in Uganda Safaris Tours .
Pian Upe Wildlife Game Reserve
Pian Upe wild life game reserve is the second largest conservation area after Murchison Falls National Park, the game reserve covers over an area 2788 sq kilometers north of mount Elgon and it under the management of mount Elgon conservation department (Mt.E.C.D) , located in Nakapiripirit district in Karamoja district in the northeastern Uganda , with a total of 8 districts covering or closely to the game reserve which includes, Moroto, Amudat, Napak , Kween, Katakwi, Kumi , Bukedea, Bulambuli.
Pian Upe game reserve is a home of enormous rock Pythons and the largest Lizards in Pian Upe are the Savannah monitors other common reptiles includes common Agama, Skinks, Chameleons and Geckos and also Harmless water snakes are found here. Carnivores like, Jackals, cival, spotted hyenas, Cheetah, Wild cats .The Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve gifted with numerous mammal species like lions, elephants, black rhinos and giraffes. The game reserve also contains wildlife such as plain zebras and common elands, oribis and the only unique roan remaining antelope in Uganda. A large and common mammals in the Pian Upe game reserve includes ; Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Giraffe, Buffalo, Waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Mountain reedbuck, Roan antelope, Jackson’s hartebeest, and oribis among others. Most of the Eland, Topi, and Zebra migrate into the reserve to breed from North Bokora and Matheniko reserves and migrate northwards when the rains begin. Birds include ostrich, secretary bird Sagittarius, and uncommon yellow-billed shrike.
Pian Upe game reverse is also a home over 330 of incredible bird species which is endemic in the region which makes it a home of birding haven for world bird lovers. The uncommon birds spotted while in your Uganda safaris in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve include the uncommon ostrich, great Hartlaub’s bustard, white headed buffalo weaver and Jackson’s hornbill and they are all protected within Loporokocho swamp. As well, tourists to this stunning reserve have a chance to sight at numerous primates like vervet monkeys and unique olive baboons are also found in Pian Upe wildlife game reserve.
Activities to do at Pian Upe wildlife game reserve.
Game drives and nature walks; guided game drive along the landscape of the Pian Upe wildlife reserve provides an opportunities to observe a variety of uncommon animal species found at Pian Upe wildlife game reserve such as Ostriches, Roan Antelope, and the Cheetah. Pian Upe is the only place in the Ugandan destinations that you can spot the Roan Antelopes. Guided wildlife safaris in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve also expose s you to reserve’s plenty species of wildlife including cape buffaloes, greater kudu, side stripped jackals, hartebeest, lions, zebras, dik-dik, Aardvark, Uganda Kobs, spotted hyenas, leopards, civets among others. Game drives at Pian Upe is greater during the dry season but during the wet season a traveler can be unpleased due to the bad conditions of road infrastructures. Safari game drives in Pian Upe game reserve are perfectly carried out in a comfortable 4×4 drive vehicles.
Nature walks can also be arranged by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The nature walks presents a visitor with a unique best way to explore and experience the natural beauty of Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Uganda.
Bird watching; Pain Upe game reserve presents a huge population of birds with the national parks. In terms of bird population, Pian Upe is ranked as the second bird haven destination after Queen Elizabeth national park. The most attractive bird species here is the giant Ostriches. Ostriches are only find in the vast dry plains. Apart from Ostriches, over 240 bird species can be spotted here. They include, Abyssinian ground hornbill, superb starling, Karamoja apalis, cranes,darters,grass birds,heros, lapwings,plover,turacos, weaver birds, hawks, owls, vultures, cormorants, African eagles among others. The reserve has not been studied extensively by bird researchers and it is believed that there are other species yet to be discovered. The best place for birding here is the Cheposukunya hot springs
Hiking; Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is also surrounded by rocks and mountains, those who love adventure and exploring the rocks or climbing the less challenging mount Kadam (3063m) or try Mount Moroto about 3083m . If mountain climbing is your passion then a visitor has a mile reasons to visit Pian Upe game reserve which in most cases conducted at Mount Akadam in Eastern Uganda.
Cave exploration; some of the giant rocks in Pian Upe wildlife game reserve hide the ancient rock painting such as the Napendio (rock) cave and, Napedet cave, these cave in Pian Upe are referred as sacred by the local communities around but also these caves hide interesting paintings of wild animals like Baboons and Antelopes, these paintings are back to thousands of years ago when the first humans settled in the Karamajong region. Napedet cave is located at the former key hunting rea for the Pokwot. It is in this cave where the meat was roasted and shared among the hunters of the region. There cooking stones over 500 years back can still be seen here and the walls of the caves are designed with the ancient art appearing animals like Elands, Warthogs, Roan Antelopes and Giraffes.
Cultural encounter; as already mentioned early, Pian Upe Wildlife game Reserve is surrounded and closed by the Karamajong and Kalenjin Communities. They are known nomadic pastoralists who depend on their livestock for survival in this region. Their precious culture is unique and they have kept despite the continuous exposure to globalization. While on a guided cultural visit to a local Karamajong settlement you will get be exposed to a rare unique cultural music, dance and drama performance of the mighty Karamojongs. Their dance is called “Edonga” dance. The best place to learn this interesting Karamoja traditional culture it is in the new Karamoja cultural museums located at the foothills of Mt. Moroto and during the cultural festivals which happens in a year. This places holds a large collection of items that described the culture of the karamojongs.
Matheniko wildlife game reserve
Matheniko Wildlife Reserve is located in the Moroto district in the northeastern part of Uganda, in the Karamoja sub-region. It covers over an area of 1,620 square kilometers. Matheniko game reserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife and plants. The reserve is named after the Matheniko Mountain Range, which dominates almost the landscape of the area. The Matheniko Mountain Range is an important watershed that provides water to the Kidepo Valley National Park and the people local community around Moroto, which is located to the north of the reserve.
Matheniko Wildlife Reserve is home of a resident wildlife haven , including Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs , Oribis, Civet, Topi , Wild cats, Dulkers, zebras, Giraffes, cheetah , elands ,Bright’s gazelle and several species of antelope among others . The reserve is also home to over 200 bird species, including the Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeon, the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, the Mountain Yellow Warbler, Verreaux’s Eagle, the Egyptian Vulture the Thick-billed Honey guide, the Hartlaub’s Turaco, Ethiopian swallow, Pygmy Falcon, the Black-headed plover, the Cattle egret, the Red-billed Oxpecker and the Clapperton’s Francolin among others. The Ostrich, Kori bustard, Secretary bird, and various species of raptors. The largest number of primates are Patas monkeys, Baboons and the Vervet monkeys. Reptiles includes; Gackos, Chameleon, Puff adders, small Lizards, Large savannah monitor Lizards, Water Snakes, and the large rock Pythons among others. Many of these animals like lesser kuku, Cheetah, Bright’s Gazelle, Elands, Mountain reedbuck, Roan antelopes, Stripped hyena, Topi, and Wildcats are uncommon outside Karamoja sub- region
One of the most interesting fact about Matheniko Wildlife Reserve is its rich cultural heritage, there culture, valves and traditions are unspoit. The reserve is home to several ethnic communities, including the Karamajong, Tepeth, Dodoth and Pokot. These communities have amazing cultural experiences that includes traditional dances, songs, and storytelling. Visitors receives fantastic experience the cultural heritage of these communities by participating in cultural tours and interacting with the local people.
Matheniko Wildlife Reserve is one of the many game reserves in Uganda that presents visitors with an opportunity to experience the Uganda’s beautiful wildlife and diverse cultural heritage. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including Elephants, Lions, Giraffes, Zebras, and several species of antelope and also the cape Buffaloes can be found here. Visitors can also experience the rich cultural heritage of the ethnic communities that live in the reserve.
Activities carried while in a Uganda’s safari in Matheniko game reserve
Game Drives and game-hunting; the reserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife including large cats and antelopes. Sport-hunting is common among wildlife conservationists and has become popular in Matheniko Wildlife Reserve. Large number of game hunters find the terrain suitable for hunting down antelopes and other wildlife species . Uganda the Wildlife Authority has put an agreement with the local community Safaris and Karamoja Safari to manage the high rate of animal hunting in the region.
Mountain and Rock Climbing; The Karamoja region is consists of several plateaus and mountains. Rock climbing one of the large rocks in Matheniko Wildlife Reserve gives the traveler the best adventure experience as in other hikers in mountains like Elgon or the Rwenzori ranges. Climbing to the top of one of the rocks in Matheniko Wildlife Reserve will present you with a clear picture views of the all entire Karamoja landscape and wildlife.
Cultural Visits; Matheniko game Reserve, is one of the destinations in Uganda which has preserved the unique cultural traditions of the karamajong culture. Their culture, values and traditions are unique and unspoiled. This is because they have lived in isolated remote for long than any other Ugandan tribes. The Karamajong elders still resist on any attempt at modernization. They are pastoralists and depend on their animals and the believe that in the beginning, God gave them all the animals in the world. The women put on beautiful beads to amaze their appearance. They offer artists and pieces for sale to tourists at reasonable prices such as beads, caps bangles, nickels, among others. Decides, they offer their traditional dances as a sign of giving a warm welcome to any visitor who visit.
Rock paintings; Matheniko game Reserve is dominated by a lot of massive rocks. Some of these rocks contains paintings made way back of about 3,500 years ago. While in the reserve with Uganda safari, an arrangement can be made for a visitor to go and spot some of these paintings. According to the history, Nilotics and Kushites were responsible for these great works of art. The paintings offer an idea of what life was by then and what kind of animals where having in the plains by then.
Site resting; Matheniko Wildlife game reserve opens an interesting opportunities to those interested in experiencing the beautiful African sky/galaxy, majestic sunrise and romantic sunset . Camping during the dry season offers a clear view of the galaxies and Milky Way and a memorable adventure experience of the Karamoja region
