2. ASWA- LOLIM GAME RESERVE On the west river bank of the great Albert Nile sit two rolling hills, Aswa and Lolim which define the existence of the name to this distinctive reserve. Located north of Murchison falls National Park in Amuru District. It was de-gazetted in 1972, no wonder few people recognize it today. But it is endowed with different bird species some of which were migratory and others residential e.g. the rare shoe bill, grey headed olive back among others. The animals that can be spotted here are elephants, duikers, white colobus monkeys, and hippopotamus among others. The game reserve is a good place to spend some time on the great Albert Nile while savouring the beautiful scenery.
3. BAKORA CORRIDOR GAME RESERVE A place where culture meets nature, covering about 2801kms2 the largest game reserve in East Africa completes a good eco system of Savannah and mountains, the good swamps for birds in this area like the liporokocho swamp. Some of the extinct birds found in this swap include the Ostrich, Jackson hornbill and many more species. It has a variety of wildlife like Giraffes Lions zebras and more. Which makes it even more eye catching
4. AJAI GAME RESERVE Theodore Roosevelt, a former American president visited in 1910 on a hunting expedition and that’s when this reserve gained the world attention. Located in North Eastern Uganda (Arua) on the western banks of the Nile, the reserve is surrounded by savannah and swaps which gives it a magical view, Ajai was known for the Rhinos but the challenging poaching situation caused the famous mammals to reduce in numbers, they have however, worked on this, a new arrangement was developed with which the animals are protected. Activities at this reserve are boat trips, nature walks, bird watching, photography tours, fishing and general wildlife viewing.
5. TORO SEMLIKI WILDLIFE RESERVE The reserve that enjoys the dramatic rift valley between Ruwenzori and Lake Albert. The famous Kob is the reason why this reserve came into place, majorly to protect the large numbers of Kobs in the area. Covering an area of 542 km2. It is located in western Uganda, within Ntoroko and Kabarole districts. Surrounded by dominant vegetation, acacia-combretum woodland and grassy savannah It is inhabited by the same key species as Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks; Elephant, Buffalo, Uganda Kob, Waterbuck, Warthog, Giant Forest Hog, Hippopotamus. Primates include Chimpanzees, Baboons and Monkeys including Vervet, Red-tailed and Black and White Colobus. Uniquely, the 200 strong Elephant population includes savannah and forest Elephant plus a hybrid form from inter-breeding. Researchers from the University of Indiana have been studying chimpanzees in the riverine forest at Mugiri. 440 bird species including Red-necked falcon, Black-billed Barbet and the turkey like Abyssinian Ground-hornbill. The Shoebill is usually sighted in the marshes of Lake Albert.
6. MATHENIKO GAME RESERVE The 5th of the most endangered Wildlife Conservation Protected Areas in Uganda. This exceptional Wildlife Reserve is a section of the Karamoja Protected Areas and stretches from the spectacular Kidepo Valley National Park through the Bokora Wildlife Reserve. Located within Moroto district, Matheniko Wildlife reserve covers an area of 1520 square kilometers/590 square miles It’s a Semi-arid Savannah and shrub land, and its landscape is dominated by Red acacia and the desert date (Balanites aegyptiacus), red spike-thorns This Reserve is a home to exceptional wildlife species that include Antelopes such as the Bright’s gazelle, lesser kudu, roan antelope, Waterbucks, Mountain reedbucks, Ugandan kobs, Blue duikers, Oribis, Bohor reedbucks, Topi, Common duikers and Common elands, Primates such as Olive baboons, Patas monkeys and Vervet monkeys, Carnivores such as the Jackals, Cheetah, Striped hyenas, Servals, Civets, Leopards, Wildcats, Spotted hyenas, The bird species that call it home include the Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeon, the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, the Mountain Yellow Warbler, Verreaux’s Eagle, the Egyptian Vulture the Thick-billed Honey guide among others.
7. PIAN UPE WILDLIFE RESERVE If you are wondering why it’s called Pian Upe, wonder no more!! It’s a home to two pastoralist tribes for which it is named: thespian being part of a sub group of the Karamaja, and the Upe being a Kalenjiin speaking people more widely known as the Pakot within Kenya. These two tribes have a history of armed conflict mostly related to cattle rustling. At times the Pian and the Upe team up to fight neighbouring tribes in Kenya or Uganda or at times they have directed their violence to each other. Extending over an area of 2788 square kilometres to the north of mountain Elgon. This is the second largest protected area in Uganda. Harbouring wildlife species like Leopard, cheetah and spotted and a small population of lions. Among the ungulate species are bur hell’s zebra, buffalo, eland, and Harte beast.
8. ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY Wild Rhinos! Ever thought where they are kept? Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is home to a home to twenty two (22) southern white rhinos located 176km (100 miles) north of Kampala on the Gulu highway towards Murchison Falls Extremely popular for for Rhino Trekking, Shoebill Trek and Canoe Ride, Bird Watching, Night Walk, Nature Walk and Relaxation.
9. KATONGA WILDLIFE RESERVE Only 3hours from Kampala to Kyegegwa town council visible sign posts to the Katonga wildlife are seen located within Kyenjojo and Kamwenge district. The terrain is predominantly undulating in nature with distinct vegetation types. Vegetation includes grasslands, wooded grasslands, woodlands, riverine woodlands, swamp, riverine grasslands, and papyrus. The reserve also contains various pockets of riverine and tropical forests. Its unique geographical location between forests, swamps and savannah vegetation gives the reserve a diverse ecosystem that favours the existence of a variety of animal species. Like waterbucks, Hippos, Impalas have also grown in number and now stand at 300. Birds are over 150. The reserve is also home to various reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. This makes it stand out in terms of variety.
10. KARUMA WILDLIFE GAME RESERVE The roaring Karuma waterfalls located on the breathtaking Victoria Nile and makes this a must see attraction in Uganda. Found in (former Masindi district) in the western side of Uganda and stands at an elevation of 902 meters. The falls acquire its name from a local legend that the Rocks that form these Waterfalls were contrived by a powerful traditional spirit called “Karuma”, Wildlife species to look out for in the Karuma Wildlife Reserve include the Cape Buffaloes, the Elephants, the Uganda Kobs, the Rothschild’s giraffes, the vervet monkeys, the Olive baboons, the Black and white Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, the Topis, the Hippos, the Oribis, occasionally the Lions and the Leopards among others.
