Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Park Brief

This reserve was Previously declared as Debasien Animal Sanctuary later named Pian Upe Game Reserve after merging the two game reserves (Pian & Upe wildlife reserves). Recently the reserve’s effort to because a National Park was passed and its expected to be gazetted in this year (2024) and ounce declared, it will be the second largest national park in Uganda. It’s found in Eastern Uganda just above of Mount Elgon and its approximately 50Km from Soroti Town, but easiest route is via Muyembe from Mbale Its at latitude 34”34”05′-34°50’E and Altitude l,000-3,06Sm covering an area of 231,400ha. Pian Upe is connected to Matheniko Game Reserve (160,000ha) by the Bokora Corridor.

This high plateau area has rolling plains with black cotton soil drained by periodic watercourses flowing westwards into Lake Kyoga. Most of the area is subject to inundation during the rainy season. The peak of Mount Kadam, previously known as Mount Debasien near forms the highest point in the reserve at 3,068m. Its chracteriesed with wooded savanna grasslands but with some forest in the north on the margins of a higher ridge.

A large variety of mammals including but not limited to. Roan Antelops, Elands, cats. Most of the eland, Topi, and zebras migrate into the area to breed from North Bokora and Matheniko reserves and migrate northwards when the rains begin. On the Birds checklist include; ostrich, secretary bird and yellow-billed shrike among others.

Memorable Activities: The most memorable activities in this park include but not limited to: rich game drive that can enable to some specific animal species that cannot be easily seen in other parks like Cheetahs, Roan antelops, highest population of Elands etc. Birding, nature walk. Research based tourism, wild camping, the still less diluted Karamojong  cultural experience, easier to visit Sipi falls,

Accessibility: To do all these activities, we help you to reach the park  using either road or air.

Accommodation: There a number of lodges from budget to high-End within a radius of 50 km.

Easiest way to explore this park (3/2 days). It’s possible for visitors sleeping in Entebbe/Kampala (Uganda) to drive direct to the park and do activities on the first day then others on the following day(s) thereafter, come back to Kampala or proceed to other parks within 3 or 2 days.