Things to see and do Réserve Sauvage De Pian Upe

Among the activities offered within the reserve, there are the game drive (at 7am and 4pm, US$20), bird watching (US$30) and the nature walk (from one to four hours, US$30). The above-mentioned prices include the service of a guide, but do not include the entrance fees to the reserve (for 24 hours: US$ 35/adult and US$ 5/child from 5 to 15 years old). The same goes for the bush camping which consists in pitching a tent in the middle of the bush (20 000 Ush to which you have to add 20 US$ for the ranger; entrance fees and food costs not included) to hear the song of the red-cheeked blue cordon and the snapping of the wild animals... Other enjoyable activities include cave visits, a three-day trek to Mount Kadam and trophy hunting (excluding big cats). If you are interested in hunting, you can make an appointment with James (+256 777 294 754) or contact Karimojong Overland Safaris (www.ugandaprohunts.com). Please note that the UWA seems to be putting a stop to hunting safaris at the moment, so you should check before you take your gun on board.... For further information on Pian Upe, please contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority office in Mbale (+256 454 433 170 or +256 454 435 035). The dry season is undoubtedly the best time to travel through the reserve: the shorter grasslands allow better observation of wildlife; in the same vein, UWA teams, jointly or not with Karamojong herders, practice pastoral burning or "controlled fire" in order to diversify and renew resources (grasses and shrubs): this also contributes to increased visibility. Three additional pieces of information to finish: for the time being, unlike the national parks, it is forbidden to explore the park's trails independently in your own vehicle. Also, remember that Pian Upe is home to leopards, in addition to the monkeys that roam the main road and the pythons that meander along the trails. Leopards sometimes roam around the villages and the UWA camp, so avoid hiking alone in the bush and do not leave the camp after dark unless you have a vehicle. Finally, although large-scale poaching has ceased in the wildlife reserve, the meat you might eat in the communities bordering the protected area has sometimes been poached.