Wildlife
Pian Upe is the last place in Uganda where roan antelope live, one of Africa’s largest and most striking antelopes. Eland, Burchell’s zebra, Uganda kob, oribi, reedbuck and Jackson’s hartebeest roam the plains, and cheetahs still move through the reserve, making it one of the few places in Uganda where the world’s fastest land mammal may be seen. Numbers are lower than in the famous parks, so game drives are about patience and space rather than crowds of animals.
Landscapes and culture
Many visitors come as much for the landscapes as for the wildlife: the plains glowing at sunrise below Mount Kadam, rocky outcrops with caves and ancient rock shelters, and the slopes of Mount Elgon on the horizon. Around the reserve, the Pokot and Karimojong keep cattle much as their ancestors did, and a guided community visit adds depth to a trip.
Things to do
- Game drives for roan, eland, zebra and, with luck, cheetahs.
- Guided walks with rangers on the plains and rocky ridges.
- Birding, with dry-country species such as the white-bellied go-away-bird and the secretary bird.
- Cultural visits with Pokot and Karimojong communities.
Planning your visit
Facilities inside the reserve are simple, so most travellers visit from lodges near Sipi Falls or Mbale, or combine Pian Upe with a longer journey north through Karamoja to Kidepo Valley National Park. A sturdy 4×4 vehicle and an experienced driver-guide are essential.
Start your game drive at first light. The plains are cool, the animals are active and the light on the mountains is spectacular.
Pian Upe suits travellers who have seen Uganda’s classic parks and want somewhere truly wild. For a first safari, start with Murchison Falls or Queen Elizabeth, and ask us to add Pian Upe to a later trip.
A sample day in Pian Upe
Leave Sipi before dawn and drive north as the sun rises over the plains, with Mount Elgon behind you. Pick up a ranger at the reserve headquarters and spend the morning on game drives and a guided walk, looking for roan, eland and zebra. After a picnic lunch in the shade, visit a rocky outcrop with views across the reserve, then return to Sipi in the late afternoon.
What to expect
Pian Upe is hot and dry, with little shade on the plains. Bring plenty of water, a hat and sun protection. Roads to and within the reserve are rough and can be impassable after heavy rain, so we plan visits in the dry season and travel in a well-equipped 4×4 with a spare tyre and recovery gear. Mobile signal is patchy.
Conservation in Pian Upe
The reserve is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and wildlife numbers have been recovering after decades of pressure. Visiting supports rangers and shows local communities that wildlife has value. Travel with respect for the Pokot and Karimojong, and always ask before taking photographs of people.
