Game reserves in Uganda

There are many game reserves in Uganda and are dispersed in different regions of the country which harbour quite a number of wildlife. Each reserve is home to all forms of wildlife like mammals, primate species, reptiles and bird species among others.

Game reserves in Uganda include:

Pian Upe game reserve

This is the second-largest conservation area after Murchison falls National park located in Nakapiripit district in northeastern Uganda. It covers an area of 2788 square kilometres north of mountain Elgon, there are activities to do while in PianUpe game reserve like wildlife viewing, guided nature walks, cultural community visits, bird watching, mountain climbing among others.

Ajai wildlife reserve

It is located on the bank of Albertine Nile in north western Uganda, Arua district. Nature walks and game drives can be done when you visit Ajay wildlife reserve where you view the Uganda kob, warthogs, hippopotamus, leopards, oribi, crocodiles, water backs, sitatungas, buffaloes, and snakes among others. While on game viewing drives or nature walks, expect to see a variety of attractions including birds.

Bokora corridor wildlife reserve

The Bokora corridor wildlife reserve is located in north western Uganda in Karamoja sub-region and gets its name from an ethnic group of the Bokora people. Some of the activities done in Bokora wildlife reserve are birding at Loporokocho swamp, hikes to Mount Kadam, nature walks. The wildlife reserve has many wild animals that can be watched like giraffes, leopards, lions,zebras, elands,hyenas, Uganda kobs, cheetahs, oribis, Topis among others and many bird species.

Bugundu game reserve

The reserve is located between Bulisa and Masindi districts at the base of the rift valley at the edge of Murchison falls National Park. It covers 473 square kilometres which is home to 600 Uganda kobs, 1200 oribis, 240 bird species and many more wild animals and birds among. The reserve allows chances of game drives, nature walks,community visits to experience cultures of the people living near the reserve.

Ziwa Rhino sanctuary

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located in Nakasongola along the road to Murchison falls National Park in direction to Gulu. A home to rhinos in Uganda and so many other wild animals and bird species.

Katonga wildlife reserve

Located on the banks of river Katongo and can be accessed by road or aircraft from Kasese district. The animals in the reserve include; warthogs, lions, leopards, buffaloes, bushbucks, elephants, hippopotamus and a variety of birds.

Karuma wildlife reserve

It is accessed by road towards northern Uganda from Kampala, it is characterized by grasslands and forests near Murchison falls National Park. Animals there include lions, buffaloes, elephants, kobs, waterbucks among others and birds.

Kabwoya wildlife reserve

Kabwoya game reserve is located in the western rift valley between Murchison Falls and Kibale close to Lake Albert with over 460 bird species to see and many activities to do when you visit Kabwoya such as quad biking, fishing, birding, guided nature walks.

Kyambura wildlife reserve

Kyambura game reserve is well known for chimpanzee trekking and a water source to animals in Queen Elizabeth National park which makes it a hot spot for wildlife viewing. It is situated in the northeast of Queen Elizabeth National park and close to Kazinga channel, Kyambura reserve is home to many bird species for birders and a number of wild animals like lions, leopards, baboons, bushbucks among others.

Matheniko wildlife reserve

Matheniko game reserve is found in Karamoja sub-region in Northeast of Uganda. Some of the activities done in Matheniko game reserve are nature walks, birding, community and cultural visits with so many wild animals seen while hiking in the reserve such as lions, leopards, bush pigs, antelopes, lesser kudu among others.

Toro – Semuliki wildlife reserve

Toro- semuliki game reserve was gazette in 1926 and is among the best wildlife reserves. It is located between Kabarole and Ntoroko districts in western Uganda. While on a visit to Tooro semuliki game reserve you can go boat cruise on Lake Albert, hiking to the Nyaburogo gorge, birding, guided primate walk and visit to the local community.

Kigezi wildlife reserve

Kigezi wildlife reserve is located in Rukungiri district in western Uganda and covers 256 square kilometres. Kigezi wildlife reserve is 318 kilometres south-west of Uganda via Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo to Rukungiri

It is composed of plain savannahs, forests, woodland and open grasslands. It has many wildlife species like buffaloes, topis, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, elephants and a variety of birds.