Pian Upe Game Reserve is the second-biggest game reserve after Murchison Falls National Park and the largest wildlife game reserve as of 1965 in the northern Karamojong subregion. Only one season of rain falls on the wildlife reserve per year. The word “pianupe” comes from two pastoralist groups that inhabited the region. On the one hand, “pian” refers to a clan in Karamoja that lived in the Nakapiripirit district near the game reserve’s administrative centre; they were originally cattle keepers. On the other hand, “upe”ment Kalenjins, who descended from the Pokot tribe in Kenya; these two tribes have a history of cattle rustling; thus, “pianupe”.
Numerous animal species, including as lions, elephants, oribi, elands, cheetahs, buffaloes, major reptiles such rock pythons, puff adders, harmless water snakes, geckos, and over an estimated 242 bird species have been documented in the Pian Upe Game Reserve. It has a lovely scenery surrounded by mountains and is dominated by a variety of tree species, including red acacia, desert date, bush willows, harissona Abyssinia, red spike thorns, butterfly pea, shrubs, and savannah grasses. When visiting Sipi Falls in Mount Elgon and Kidepo Valley National Park in eastern and northern Uganda, a visitor can extend their safari with a stop at Pian Upe. The ideal times to visit are from December to February and late June to September, when it is dry season.
Although the wildlife reserve is accessible year-round, it is advised to pack boots, sunscreen, and insect repellents during the rainy season when the roads are fairly muddy and in poor shape. The game reserve is a piece of the Bokora, Matheniko, Kidepo, and northern corridor of the four game reserves.
The Mount Elgon Conservation Area oversees its management. An excursion to Pian Upe can include guided game drives, mountain climbing to the plains of Mount Kadam, learning about the customs of the local Karamojong people (who hold distinctive traditional weddings), exploring caves, and shopping for jewellery and crafts.
The game reserve is located along Mbale-Moroto road 90 kilometers from Mbale. Pian Upe Game Reserve is situated Northeast of Uganda mainly in the Karamoja region north of Mount Elgon a few kilometers from Chepsukunya trading Centre gives you to the entry point of the reserve. When on a wildlife or birding experience in Kidepo Valley National Park particularly Pian Upe or Mount Elgon National Park, the major and nearby accommodations are the four bandas at the game reserve headquarters and others in the neighborhood.