Uganda is described as the pearl of Africa because of its rich eco-system, nice weather, undulating land scape and abundant wildlife. the game reserves in Uganda almost have the same features with the national parks. while planning to visit game reserves on Uganda safari here are some of the reserves no to miss out such as;
Katonga wild life reserve
The reserve is dotted with woodlands, river line wood land and savannah woodlands in kamwenge district. This game reserve covers an average area of 207 sq.kms, the large part of the reserve is covered with seasonal wet lands, savannah vegetation that gives the reserve a rich ecosystem that favors the existence of different mammal species. In katonga game reserve there are number of mammal species such as Buffalos, Water buck, Elephants, Bushbucks, Reed buck, sitatungas, duikers, Uganda kobs, leopards and chevrotain among others. Primates include olive baboons, Black and White Colobus Monkey, the river otter, then hippos and many others. There are also a quite number of reptiles, butterflies and amphibians spotted with in the reserve.
Toro-semiliki reserve
The reserve is located on the Albertine rift valley escarpment, the reserve features interspersed patches of borassus, riparian woodland, open acacia woodland, grassy savannah, and swampy vegetation towards lake Albert. Toro-semiliki wild life reserve is dominated by rich wild life including primates, birds and mammal species.
Notable mammal species with in the reserve are warthogs, buffaloes, bush babies, water bucks, Elephants, leopards among others, among primates include black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, vervet monkeys and olive baboons,
Toro- semiliki is a re-knowned birders haven with a record of over 400 bird species including the rare shoe bill stork Black-billed Barbet, Red-necked falcon, Abyssinian Ground-hornbill among others. The reserve has well-structured UWA bandas and high-end accommodation by private entities like semiliki safari lodge.
Karuma wild life reserve
The reserve derives the name from the magnificent Karuma falls in kiryandogo district. Karuma wild life reserve falls under Murchison conservation area. Wildlife in Karuma include several species including cape buffaloes, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, antelopes like kobs and topis while on guided nature walks there is chance to see primates like black and white monkeys, vervet monkeys, L’hoest monkeys.
Besides wild life, the reserve is known for the Karuma falls flowing into the Victoria Nile together with Murchison falls. The falls are not far from each other, they offer a great sighting while on a Ugandan safari.
Pian upe game reserve
This is the largest game reserve in North eastern Uganda Karamoja sub region second to Murchison falls national park, the reserve rest on a 2788 sq.km north of Mt. Elgon. Pian upe has a rich eco system, its dominated by hot springs, mountains dotted with savannah plains and acacia wood lands.
Animals in the reserve include cheetahs, lions, leopards, zebras, Elands, Impalas, giraffes, oribis wild cats among others. Pian upe is also home to reptiles, amphibians as well 242 confirmed bird species and 11 unconfirmed bird species. The main activities within the reserve are game drive, birding, cultural and community visits, nature walks, mountain hiking, sight seeing and camping.
Kyambura game reserve
The reserve is with in Queen Elizabeth National park, it is well known for the guided nature walks, birding and primate walk. The reserve is known for narrow gorge which is home to primates like chimpanzees including the habituated ones, among many others, it also acts as a water source to mammals in the park. The birders have a chance to spot birds like African Skimmer, Pink Backed Pelicans, African Broad Bill, White Tailed Lark, Falcons, Great blue turaco among others. Chimpanzee tracking and guided nature walks are the common activities within the reserve.
Matheniko wildlife reserve
The reserve is located in North east Uganda- Karamoja sub region. The reserve has unique features like Roan Antelopes, Bright Gazelle, ostriches found nowhere else other than Matheniko wild life reserve and Kidepo national park. The reserve is a threatened protected area because of the rare features. Other Notable bird species see on while nature walk include Alpine Chat, Grey-Cuckoo Shrike, and Thick Billed Honey Guide. Birding and guided nature walks are the main activities within the reserve.
Kigezi wildlife reserve
The only reserve in western Uganda covering an average area of 265 sq. Kilometers. kigezi wild life is found in Rukungiri district, it is home to several mammal species, such as topis, duikers, forest hogs, Bushbucks and kobs. The park serves as a sanctuary for elephants crossing from Democratic republic of Congo to Queen Elizabeth national park.
Bugungu Wildlife Reserve
The reserve is at the base of the rift valley escarpment neighboring Murchison falls national park between Masindi and Bulisa district. Bugungu wildlife reserve is home to antelopes which include, oribis kobs in large numbers. It is also a birders haven with over 200 bird species. There are well maintained tracks for game drive, birding and guides nature walks among other like cultural and community visits
Ajai Wildlife Reserve
Ajai wild life reserve is dotted with sparse savannah woodland, grass plains swamps on the west bank of the Albertine Nile. The reserve is a birding spot with notable birds like Grey-crowned cranes, African fish eagle, Marabou storks among others. While on a game drive in Ajai game reserve, you will have a glimpse of mammals like kobs, Jackson Hartebeest, duikers, oribis, sitatunga, Buffalo and many others. The reserve is also hone to primates, and reptiles. There are plans to re-introduce white rhinos and Nile buffaloes.
Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve
The Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve is within the Karamoja sub region covering an average area of 2056 square kilometres. The name Bokora was derived from Bokora people ethnic group of Karamoja. Bokora corridor wildlife Reserve is home to rich wildlife including cheetahs only possibly spotted in Kidepo national park. Others mammals include topis, stripped hyenas, Reed bucks, lesser Kudu, buffaloes, lions, Leopards, Zebras, Roan antelopes, Elands among other. Bird life include; Alpine Chat, Jackson’s Horn bill, Mountain Yellow-Warbler, Black-Throated Wattle-Eye, Lemon Dove, White-Headed Buffalo-Weaver ,Ostrich, Dusky Turtle Dove, Eastern Bronze-Napped Pigeon, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, The Hartlaub’s Turaco, African Hill Babbler, and Thick-Billed Honey Guide can easily be spotted while in the reserve on a game drive and nature walk.
Kabwoya wildlife reserve
Kabwoya wild reserve is one of the smallest reserves covering just 87 sq. Kilometers but with an eye-catching scenic topography. The reserve is just new and there are efforts to bring more mammals species into the reserve. So far now hartebeest, Kobs, impalas, antelopes, bushbuck and Duikers. There are also primates found along river line forest of Hoywa and wamababya river. With a guide nature walk one is able to spot chimpanzees, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys. Because kabwoya is near lake Albert fishing is a must, the main activities include quad biking, nature walks, fossil hunting, birding with notable birds like Black faced apalis, Rwenzori turaco, francolin, Dusky crimson wing among others.
Aswa lolim game reserve
The reserve is located north of Murchison falls national park in Amuru district, east Madi wild life reserve is big by 831 square kilometres occupied by flora and fauna. The reserve is home to mammal species, over 100 bird species, Primates like vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and forests plant life making it possible for birding and nature walks.
In conclusion Uganda is indeed the pearl of Africa, the country is immersed in so much beauty and abundant wildlife treasures, not only the country is dominated by 10 national parks, but also several game reserves. The game reserves also have the same diverse features like those in national parks, they cam also be explored through game drives, hiking, nature walks, birding among others.
