Pian Upe Game Reserve

Pian Upe Game Reserve is the crown of Uganda’s untouched wildlife and scenery in the environs of Kidepo Valley National Park.  Seated on a land expanse of 2,788 square kilometres, Pian Upe is the second-largest wildlife reserve in Uganda, after Murchison Falls National Park.

The reserve is accompanied by several exploration expeditions, making it a direct counterpart to Kidepo Valley National Park. Besides the misconception of cheetahs being found only in Kidepo Valley National Park, Pian Upe Game Reserve is the second place in Uganda where Cheetahs can be spotted in the wild.

Whenever we speak of game drives in Africa, people often think of the poor roads in the parks. However, to their surprise, when they visit parks such as Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and many other parks in Uganda, they find the roads in proper condition, even though they have no tarmac.

Unlike all the other parks and reserves, some areas in Pian Upe are inaccessible; however, with a good 4×4 vehicle, you can create new trails by yourself through different parts of the reserve.

January, February, and March are the best months to visit Pian Upe Game Reserve. This is because, during these months, Uganda is relatively dry, unlike the rest of the year. This gives you a good opportunity to create new trails with your 4×4 (driving off the main roads), something you cannot do during the rainy seasons or when the grass is overgrown.

Pian Upe game reserve is mainly known for the Roan antelopes, it is the only place in Uganda where the roan antelopes can be found, besides the cheetahs, other wild animal species that can be spotted in Pian Upe game reserve on a game drive include: Elands, Buffaloes, dik-dik, Jackals, greater Kudu, Jackson hartebeest, zebras among other several wildlife species. Check the 14-day Uganda safari to visit Pian Upe Reserve.

It is no longer a secret that Pian Upe is the crown of Uganda’s non-doctored eco-environment. Its semi-arid vegetation offers the best scenery in northern Uganda. There are already demarcated trails in the reserve, offering the best nature walks in northern Uganda. Baboons and antelopes are some of the main highlights of the Pian Upe nature walks.

With over 242 bird species, Pian Upe is one of the leading birding havens in Uganda. Security is guaranteed with the company of Uganda Wildlife Authority armed rangers.

The reserve is bordered by two pastoralist tribes: Pian, a sub-tribe of the Karamojongs, and Upe, which originates from Kenya. Their diverse cultures offer visitors a chance to experience the best of culture through dances, music, meals, and a number of folk tales.

There are often two places to include on your bucket list if you plan to visit Pian Upe Game Reserve: Sipi Falls and Kidepo Valley National Park.

Sipi Falls is one of the best hiking destinations in Uganda, offering abseiling off 40-meter-high cliffs. There are also several caves covered with various types of vegetation, which are worth exploring.

Kidepo Valley National Park has, over the last 3 years, been featured on CNN Travel as one of the leading game-drive destinations in Africa. It has semi-arid vegetation, making it easier for visitors to spot the different wildlife without bushy hindrances.

An exploration trip to Pian Upe, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Sipi Falls may take you a minimum of eight days. However, with a 4×4 Uganda self-drive, there is a chance to make adjustments to your itinerary.