Explore Uganda Game Reserves : Uganda is often referred to as “The Pearl of Africa” because of its incredible natural beauty. The country boasts 12 game reserves that provide visitors with unforgettable experiences. On your safari in Uganda, you can explore these fantastic destinations. Uganda’s wildlife population has continued to thrive because of the commitment to conservation from the government and the local communities. Each reserve is home to different wildlife; from mammals like the African elephant and vast primate species to the smallest of rodents. Their views are picturesque with undulating terrains, diverse vegetation coupled with abundant activities to indulge in when you visit the wildlife reserves on a safari to Uganda. Here are some of the reserves to visit while in Uganda.
List of Game Reserves in Uganda
- Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve
Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve is located in the Nakapiripriti District of Karamoja subregion of northeastern Uganda. The reserve covers an area of about 2,275 square kilometers, making it the second-largest conservation area in the country. The only area larger is Murchison Falls National Park, which spans 3,840 square kilometers. More so, this reserve is found between the country’s least visited national parks such as kidepo valley national park and mount Elgon national park and is bordered by the Bokora wildlife reserve and Matheniko game reserve. Pian-Upe is managed as part of the Mount Elgon Conservation Area.
This wildlife reserve is home to a variety of animals, boasting more than 44 species of mammals and 242 species of birds. Among the mammals you can see here are zebras, elands, gazelles, oribi, spotted hyenas, civets, jackals, serval cats, cheetahs, leopards, topi, wildcats, buffaloes, roan antelopes, roebucks, Duikers, Dik-dik, Ugandan Kob, waterbucks, hares, porcupines, the rock hyrax, aardvark and hedgehogs. Primate species such as Olive baboons, patas monkey and Vervet monkey
While on a Uganda safari in Pian-Upe, you’ll have the chance to spot many different bird species, including Fox’s weaver, Abyssinian ground hornbill, superb sterling, Ostrich, Karamoja Apalis, Great Hartlaub’s bustard, Jackson’s hornbill, white-headed buffalo weavers, Great Hartlaub’s bustards, and more. The reserve is bordered by the Kalenjin and Karamojong communities. a safari to Pian-Upe wildlife reserve also offers with the opportunities to climb the regions stunning mountains such as Mt. Kadam, guided nature walks and wildlife safaris, cultural community visits are some of the activities to do while at Pian Upe wildlife reserve.
- Ajai Wildlife Reserve
Ajai Wildlife Reserve is situated on the western side of the Albertine Nile in Northwestern Uganda. Ajai wildlife reserve lies on the western bank of the White Nile and east of Arau district. It covers an area of about 166 square kilometers and features a mix of open grasslands, wetlands, and savanna forests.
This reserve is home to a variety of animals like Black and White Colobus monkeys, black cobras, red monkeys, buffaloes, bush-buck, the Common Duiker, puff adders, zebras, Vervet Monkeys, Leopards, Sitatunga, Oribi, hartebeest, hippos, crocodiles, Dik Dik, Olive baboons, the Uganda Kob, warthogs and waterbucks.
You can also spot both black and white colobus monkeys, along with numerous birds, including Marabou Stocks, weaver birds, African Fish Eagles and Grey Crowned cranes among others. Ajai Wildlife Reserve offers great opportunities for safari adventures.
- Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve
The Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve is situated in the northeastern part of Uganda, within the Karamoja region, and gets its name from the local Bokora ethnic group. Spanning an area of 2,056 square kilometers, the reserve boasts stunning landscapes. It’s a fantastic spot for birdwatching, particularly for bird species that are unique to this northeastern area. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching at the Loporokocho swamp, take hikes up Mount Kadam, and participate in nature walks, along with engaging visits to the Bokora people’s cattle kraals for a deeper community experience. Some of the most impressive animals you can find in the reserve include spotted hyenas, reedbucks, topis, elands, Rothschild’s giraffes, cheetahs, Oryx, Uganda Kobs, striped hyenas, cheetahs, lesser kudus, roan antelopes and others.
Bokora Game Reserve is also an enriching bird-watching destination with birds including Ostriches, the African Hill Babbler, the Alpine Chat, the Black-throated Wattle-eye, Dusky Turtle Doves, Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeons, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, among others
- Matheniko Wildlife Reserve
Matheniko Wildlife Reserve is located in the Karamoja area in the northeastern part of Uganda. The reserve is a major wildlife conservation area in Karamoja region. Matheniko game reserve covers an area of 590 square miles and has conditions similar to those found in Somalia and Maasai-land in Kenya. This reserve is a habitat for various animals such as the blue duikers, bohor reedbuck, Bright’s gazelle, elands, cheetah, Lesser kudu, mountain reedbuck, roan antelope, serval cats, stripped hyena which can also be seen in Pian Upe and Kidepo Valley National Park. Additionally, visitors can spot several bird species like ostrich, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, African hill barbler, Black throated wattle eye, Black-headed plover during their visit. The reserve also features ancient rock paintings believed to be around 3,000 years old. While at Matheniko Wildlife Reserve, you can enjoy activities like nature walks, bird watching, and community visits.
Karuma Wildlife Reserve
Karuma Wildlife Reserve gets its name from the beautiful Karuma waterfalls located along the Nile River. It’s situated near Murchison Falls National Park and is home to a wide variety of animals. In this reserve, you can find many species like Olive Baboons, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys and L’hoest Monkeys, Buffaloes, Leopards, Rothschild Giraffe, Elephants, Lions, and several antelope species.
Karuma Wildlife Reserve offers plenty of opportunities to spot different birds, such as swamp flycatcher, yellow-throated leaf, Grey-crowned cranes, pied kingfisher, Abdim’s stork, Rock pranticole among others.
- Kyambura Wildlife Reserve
Kyambura Wildlife Reserve is part of the larger Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area in Uganda and is renowned for its chimpanzee tracking experiences. Established in 1965, the reserve is overseen by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Kyambura wildlife reserve is home to over 80 chimpanzees located in its Gorge, which act as the main attraction hence attracting many tourists to travel from all over the world, and touring around gives one chances to walk through the forest and be able to sight see the beautiful river.
During your wildlife safari here, you’ll find chimpanzees coexisting with other primate species, including vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and black and white colobus monkeys. The reserve is also home to a variety of notable birds, such as African Skimmer, African Broad Bill, Pink Backed Pelicans and the White-Tailed Lark among others
- East Madi Wildlife Reserve
The East Madi Wildlife Reserve is located in Northern Western Uganda, just north of the Murchison Falls in the Amuru District. The reserve rests on 831 square kilometers of land that houses 50 mammals, 181 bird species and 374 plant species making nature walks, wildlife viewing and birding some of the activities to do while at the reserve. There are a number of primates that can be seen including the Blue Monkeys, Colobus Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys and Red-tail Monkeys.
Toro-Semuliki Game Reserve
The Toro-Semuliki Game Reserve, created in 1926, is one of Uganda’s top wildlife spots. It’s located in western Uganda, within Semuliki National Park, and is famous for its hot springs as well as a wide variety of bird and animal species. In Toro-Semuliki, you can find animals like Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Hyena, Elephants and several types of primates. The primates you might see include De Brazza’s monkey, Grey cheeked mangabey, Vervet monkey, Central African red colobus, Baboon, Blue monkey and red-tailed monkey among others.
If you’re into bird-watching, this reserve has plenty to offer. You can spot birds like Abyssinian ground hornbill, Malachite kingfisher, African open bill, Tropical Boubal, Black-billed Barbet, and many more.
- Kigezi Wildlife Reserve
Kigezi Wildlife Reserve is situated in Rukungiri District in Western Uganda and spans an area of 265 square kilometers. The reserve is a great spot for those interested to see African elephants in their natural habitat. It serves as a home for elephants traveling from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Queen Elizabeth National Park. In addition to elephants, you can also spot animals like topis, giant forest hogs, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, along with a variety of bird species. Some of the birds you might encounter in Kigezi Wildlife Reserve include hamerkop, saddle-billed stork, red-faced barbets, peregrine falcon and grey-crowned cranes among others.
- Kabwoya Game Reserve
Kabwoya Game Reserve is located in western Uganda, positioned along the scenic route of the Western Rift Valley, nestled between Murchison Falls National Park and Kibale National Park. It covers about 87 square miles and is near the Albertine region. The reserve is home to over 460 different bird species, Western Nicator, Yellow-billed Oxpeckers, Black headed weavers and Northern carmine bee-eaters, among others.
- Bugungu Wildlife Reserve
Bugungu Wildlife Reserve is located between the Bulisa and Masindi districts, right at the base of the rift valley escarpment on the western side of Murchison Falls National Park. It covers 473 square kilometers which are home to 600 Uganda Kobs, 1200 Oribis among other animals and 240 bird species. The well-maintained trails at the reserve allow tourists the chance to enjoy a game drive, nature walks and other activities such as community visits to experience the cultures of the people living near the reserve, camping, picnics and bird watching. Additionally, there are options for camping, picnics, and bird watching. You can visit Bugungu Wildlife Reserve as an extension of your trip to Murchison Falls National Park or explore it on its own for a unique cultural experience.
- Katonga Wildlife Reserve
Katonga Wildlife Reserve is located in Western Uganda and covers an area of 207 square kilometers. It’s home to a wide variety of animals, with over 40 different species of mammals. Some of the mammals you can see at Katonga include Sitatunga Antelope, African Elephants, Reedbuck, Uganda Kob and River Otter, making it a fantastic place to visit.
In addition to mammals, Katonga is a paradise for bird watchers, featuring more than 150 bird species. Among the birds you might spot are Rufous-bellied Heron, cattle Egret, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Grey Heron, Madagascar Pond-Heron and Squacco Heron. Visitors to Katonga can enjoy activities like bird watching, taking nature walks, and going on canoe rides.
