Attractions in pian Upe wildlife reserve
Attractions in pian upe wildlife reserve : Pian Upe wildlife reserve is a highly ranked conservation area found in the northeastern region of Uganda, the reserve lies in the karamoja region covering an area of 2,788 square kilometers. pian Upe wildlife reserve is part of the enormous Mount Elgon conservation area and borders Bokora wildife reserve and Matheniko game reserve.
History of pian Upe wildlife reserve
The area today known as pian Upe wildlife reserve was a battleground for the Karamojong a pastoral tribe in northern Uganda and the pokot a pastoral group which originated from Kenya, the communities of these two groups were separated by a boundary formed by the present day main road which leads through the reserve to matheniko and Bokora wildlife reserve. This boundary was usually crossed by warriors of each group mostly in the period of ruthless cattle rustling purposely to raid each other’s cattle which resulted into war.
In 1958, the southern section of the area was gazetted as the Debasien Animal Sanctuary; however, when the government of Uganda established an agricultural production project south of the Girik River, it threatened the boundaries of the sanctuary. In 1964 the boundaries of the sanctuary were expanded northward and the area was renamed to pian Upe game reserve, since then the reserve
Attractions found in the pian Upe wildlife reserve
Pian Upe wildlife reserve is a great tourist destination with many fascinating attractions, which make the park more attractive, as listed below.
Wildlife
- Mammals
Pian Upe wildlife reserve is home to many wildlife species, this reserve is dominated by plateaus and mountains cut in between by rock-strewn ridges and kopjes with green, golden and wooden grasslands all over flat plains. These plains host a huge population of animals such as cheetahs, common elands, zebras, hartebeests, Gunther’s dik-dik, Oribis, impalas, cape buffalo, Uganda The reserve is home to a variety of animals, including Uganda Kob, waterbuck, blue duiker, common duiker, klipspringers, spotted hyenas, leopards, lions, serval cats, civets, jackals, wildcats, crested porcupines, rock hyraxes, aardvarks, four-toed hedgehogs, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and patas monkeys. These animals make the game viewing experience in pian Upe wildlife reserve amazing. for fact pian Upe wildlife reserve is one of the best places in Uganda with high chances of spotting cheetahs, the earth’s fastest animal.
Pian Upe wildlife reserve is also a home to various species of reptiles such as venomous puff adders, savannah monitors, common agamas, skinks, geckos, rock pythons, chameleons, geckos and savannah monitors. These reptiles are found around the Girik River.
- Primates
Primates are among the wildlife found in Pian Upe wildlife reserve, these primates live in the forest-dominated area of the reserve and they include olive baboons, four-toed hedgehogs, rock hyraxes, Aardvarks, crested porcupine, African hares, vervet monkeys and pata monkeys
- Reptiles
Pian Upe wildlife reserve is home to many species of reptiles, which thrive in the wooded savannah and shrub-dominated plains. reptiles in the reserve include geckos, rock pythons, skinks, venomous puff adders, common agamas, savannah monitors and crocodiles, which are found in the Girik River.
- Birds
Pian Upe wildlife reserve has been recognized as an important birding site, as it is a habitat to an incredible number of bird species, recorded to be approximately 242 species, thus making it an ideal site for bird watching. Pian Upe wildlife reserve is partly dominated by the Loporokocho swamp, which is home to many exciting bird species, including rare ones such as the shoebill, the uncommon ostrich, Jackson’s hornbill, great Hartlaub’s bustard, and white-headed buffalo weaver, among others. Other bird species that are easily seen in Pian Upe wildlife reserve include karamoja apalis which is endemic to northern eastern Uganda, green bitta, Abyssinian ground hornbills, superb sterling’s, secretary birds and fox’s weaver bird which is a rare bird only found in two locations in the world with pian Upe wildlife reserve as one of it. Pian Upe wildlife reserve is also a home to fox’s weaver bird which are only found in two places in Uganda including the reserve itself
- Culture
Pian Upe national park is situated near Karamojong communities, which are found along its boundaries, it’s from the Karamojong slag pian and Upe were the reserve derives its name with pian meaning goof sprinted and Upe meaning enemy. Karamojong are one of few communities in Uganda with culture and transition not affected by modernity and technology
Physical features
Pian Upe reserve is dotted with many physical features which create a beautiful scenery in the reserve and these include
Lake Opeta
Lake Opeta, located in the southern region of the Pian Upe reserve, is surrounded by an extensive wetland system that provides a perfect habitat for various birds and animals. This is why it is listed among the 33 important birding areas in Uganda, and in 2006, it was designated as a Ramsar-listed wetland of international importance.
Cheposukunya hot springs
Cheposukunya hot springs are a magnificent feature situated in the park; many tourists get amazed when visiting this feature, which spills out hot water from the ground. cheposukunya hot springs are a great birding habitat in the reserve and as you visit it, you spot many birds.
Mount kadam and the rocky hills
Pian Upe wildlife reserve consists of hilly features, including mount kadam, mount kadam is situated on the border of karamoja Uganda covering a region of pian Upe wildlife standing at an elevation of 3,063 meters. The mountains and other hilly features in the reserve facilitate mountain climbing and hiking experiences.
Where to stay while on a safari in pian Upe wildlife reserve
Pian Upe wildlife reserve consists of affordable accommodation facilities that offer accommodation to tourists while on a safari in this reserve, accommodation facilities include shalosa hotel, Hotel leslona limited, lavender inn, mount Moroto hotel, karamoja safari camp and many more.
How to get to pian Upe wildlife reserve
Pian Upe wildlife reserve is easily accessed from Kampala; the reserve is situated 90 kilometers from Kampala and reached using the Mbale-Moroto road. the The nearest city to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is Mbale, which is located 11 kilometers away from the reserve.
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