Pian Upe game reserve is one of Uganda’s conservation areas and the second largest protected area following after Murchison fall national park and these are controlled by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Pian Upe was a well known battle ground for the two Karamojong pastoral groups who were comparing of a group from North-eastern Uganda and the Pokot from Kenya. The main road leading to the reserve way up to Matheniko and Bokora wildlife reserve then into Kidepo valley national park was a boundary where these two groups always intersected to raid one another during the ruthless cattle rustling. These battles began to reduce and peace prevailed in 1958 when the southern area of Pian Upe was gazetted as a Debasien Animal sanctuary.
The land in the southern section of the sanctuary was threatened by a government lead project of covering land just south of the Girik River for agricultural purposes. Later in 1964, the area of the sanctuary was expanded northwards and was renamed Pian Upe game reserve.
The name of the reserve Pian Upe was derived from the communities where it stands. With Pian” meaning “calm hearted people” and this was obtained from Pian clan among the Karamojong people of the north-eastern Uganda. While Upe” meaning “enemy” was referring to the a Kalenjin speaking pastoralist community of the Karamojongs said to have originated from Pokot tribe in Kenya. When both words “Pian” and “Upe” are combined they mean “friendly enemies.”
Pian Upe game reserves covers and area of about 2275km2 north of Mountain Elgon thus its recognition as the second largest conservation area following after Murchison Falls National Park. The game reserve is found in the North-eastern region of Uganda in karamoja in Nakapiripiti district, however partly covers other 8 districts of; Moroto, Amudat, Katakwi, Napak, Kween, Kumi, Bukedea and Bulambuli.
The game reserve is combined to two other game reserves in the North-eastern part of Uganda namely; Matheniko and Bokora wildlife reserve plus Mount Elgon national park forming Mount Elgon conservation area.
Attractions
Flora
Pian Upe is dominated by shrubs, and short trees due to the nature of soil and the fact that it is too hot in the region. More vegetation of the area is thatching grass, lemon grass, bristle species, beard grasses among others. Pian Upe has distinctive wild lands which are over powered by the wooden savannah plains which are surrounded by mountains and also between rock strewn ridges and Kopjes, plateaus and seasonal rivers.
Fauna
Pian Upe harbors special animals found no where else in Uganda such Uganda’s only famous antelopes and a healthy population of Cheetahs. Other wild life including wild cats, jackals, spotted hyenas, civets, serval cats, the mysterious leopards among others, then then herds namely; common Elands, hartebeests, Oribis, the Uganda Kobs, water bucks, klipspringers, mountain reedbucks, a few zebras and so on. The reserve has some rare animals like vervet, Patas Monkey, the African haree, crested porcupine, rock hyrax and the olive baboons. in the game reserve, expect to see reptile as found mainly in and long Girik River. Reptiles like the common Agama, Savannah monitors, Geckos, Venomous puff adders, rock pythons, crocodiles and many more interesting retails. However the Uganda wildlife Authority is having plans of re-introducing more animal species to reactivate Pian Upe game reserve for tourism development.
Birds
Pian Upe wildlife reserve is home of over 250 bird species among which there is an Ostrich the keeps or hides its head in the ground incase of danger, one bird that is unable to fly yet it is a bird, that special bird that lays eggs bigger than normal birds’ eggs. More birds found in Pian Upe are white headed Buffaloes, secretary birds, Abyssinian ground horn bill, superb sterling, great hartebeests bustards, shoebill stork, fox weaver, yellow billed shrike, karamoja Aplis, green bitta among others.
Napendio caves
These feature amazing paintings of wild animals in Pian Upe game reserve backing up thousands of years when the first man settled in this area. These caves were art recreational centers during the ancient days and are considered to be scared by the local people.
Culture
The north-eastern region of Uganda is a rich ground for the cattle raising communities this making Pian Upe home of two nomadic pastoral tribes namely the Karamojongs and the Kalenjin. Both tribes have large herds of cattle providing them with milk, meat, blood and skin. These tribes have an impressing way of life that is good exploring.
Activities
Game drives
These are carried out along the savannah plains, giving tourists opportunities to view animals like lions, wild cats, jackals, spotted hyenas, civets, serval cats, the mysterious leopards among others, then then herds namely; common Elands, Oribis, the Uganda Kobs, water bucks, klipspringer, mountain reedbucks, a few zebras and so on. The reserve has some rare animals like vervet, Patas Monkey, the African haree, crested porcupine, rock hyrax and the olive baboons. In the game reserve, expect to see reptiles as found mainly in and long Girik River. Reptiles like the common Agama, Savannah monitors, Geckos, Venomous puff adders, rock pythons, crocodiles and many more interesting reptiles.
Birding
The reserve has over 242 bird species that tourists can spot while on nature walks and game drives. During the birding time, expect to see white headed Buggaloes, secretary birds, Abyssinian ground horn bill, superb sterling, great hartlaubs bustards, shoebill stork, fox weaver, yellow billed shrike, karamoja Aplis, plovers, pelicans, lapwings all these plus more others make birding the best in Pian Upe.
Cultural encounters
You will be able to interact with the local people who live in the area and in the neighboring villages such as the Karamojongs and Kalenjin. The local community guide will take you through a community walk where there is chance to watch cultural dances, listen to the local and traditional music by the local people, listen to traditional stories of their ancient days and have an opportunity to visit their farmlands to watch the cattle graze.
Guided nature walks
Tourists will be able to explore the vast plains on foot accompanied by an experienced site guide. During the nature walk, visitors will view different mammal species, listen to different birds
singing’s and see some of them that will be visible and view colorful butterflies as your taking pictures from the different spots of the game reserve.
Hiking/ Mountain climbing
Here, you will be able to hike mountain Kadam which is the second highest volcanic mountain in Karamoja region standing at an elevation of 3063m above sea level.
Best time to visit
Pian Upe game reserve is not so different from all other conservation grounds. It is best to be visited during the dry season and the run from January to March then November and December . However, from January to March is when it is very best since the vegetation is always dry giving clear view of the area and animals at the water sources. Then for November and December, are good months though vegetation is still lush at this time making it difficult to spot animals hidden in the grass and tree tops.
