Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is located in the Karamoja sub-region of northern Uganda. The name “Pian Upe” came from the Karamojong local language, which means “Friendly Enemy.” click here to view mountain gorilla trekking tours 

Pian Upe is under the management of Mount Elgon Conservation Area. Pian Upe was gazetted in 1965 and lies between eight districts. click here to check our most recommended gorilla trekking safari 

Pian Upe is one of the threatened wildlife reserves due to uncontrolled grazing and poaching. Increased human-wildlife interactions raise the risk of cross-species transmission and zoonotic disease outbreaks among wildlife, livestock, and people that spread diseases like Brucellosis, Rift Valley fever, tuberculosis, and anthrax.

Pian Upe is regarded as the green belt of the Karamoja region that teams up with wildlife and provides a critical environment for many rare and endangered species in this region, although adversely affected by climate change.

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is home to many wildlife species, which makes it attractive. It is often visited by tourists from all over the world all year round. Pian Upe's wild animals include giraffes, leopards, lions, zebras, greater kudu, buffaloes, Harte beasts, topi, oribi, and Uganda’s last population of antelope.

Different bird species can also be spotted around the swamp terrain of Loporokocho Swamp. Pian Upe bird species include ostriches, Jackson’s Hornbill, Hartlaub’s Bustard, and the white-headed buffalo weaver. Pian Upe is also rich in vervet monkeys and olive baboons, which can all be spotted.

Pian Upe also accommodates enormous rock pythons, smaller but venomous puff adders, Harmless water snakes, and the largest lizards. Pian Upe wildlife reserve also has Savannah monitors such as common agama, chameleons’, skinks, and geckos

The long dry months are the best time to visit Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve in Uganda, and starts from June, July, August. The short dry months is also a good time to visit Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve that starts from December, January, and February