National park · Uganda
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Visit Pian Upe for a remote game drive: book a 4×4 with a UWA guide for a full day (≈US$200–300 per person) in the dry season (Dec–Mar) and avoid the rainy months (Apr–Aug).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,314 km² (893 sq mi)893 sq mi (2,314 km²)
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Uganda ↗Get the Uganda e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa on the official immigration portal before flying, and carry a yellow fever certificate: Uganda asks all arriving travellers for one.
- Uganda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead for malaria prevention, and check current outbreak notices: Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred in the region, most recently in 2026.
- Uganda ↗Book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits before you fix dates; the lodge booking follows the permit, not the other way round.
- Uganda ↗Domestic light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Northern Uganda ↗4WD is the practical choice for Kidepo and Ajai; diesel preferred and carry spare tyres — check the vehicle before you leave.
- Northern Uganda ↗Malaria is more prevalent here than in the south; nets and prophylaxis advised.
- Northern Uganda ↗A home-country driving licence is usually accepted — check with your rental company.
At a glance
- Country
- Uganda
- Area
- 2,314 km² (893 sq mi)893 sq mi (2,314 km²)
- Uganda Wildlife Authority lists 231,400 ha (≈2,314 km²).
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is a vast, lightly visited savanna in northern Uganda, home to the country's only surviving roan antelope and a reintroduced giraffe population. It offers remote game drives, guided hikes up Mount Kadam, and cultural visits to sites like Napedet Cave, but requires a 4×4, a UWA guide, and careful planning due to limited infrastructure and seasonal rains.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteManaged by Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Size and age
2,314 km² (893 sq mi)893 sq mi (2,314 km²) · national park since 1964
Uganda Wildlife Authority lists 231,400 ha (≈2,314 km²).
Why go
- Remote savanna with Uganda's only surviving roan antelope population.
- Giraffe reintroduction and large herds of zebra and eland.
- Mount Kadam provides high‑altitude hiking and panoramic views.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool; good wildlife visibility.
- FebDry, warm; roads firm.
- MarEnd of dry season, still dry.
- AprStart of rains; roads may get muddy.
- MayRainy, tracks often impassable.
- JunHeavy rains, flooding risk.
- JulPeak rains, mud.
- AugRainy, limited access.
- SepRain tapering, some roads improve.
- OctTransition to dry, cooler.
- NovDry, but hotter.
- DecDry, cool, best for driving.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roan antelope (Uganda's only surviving population)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Giraffe (Rothschild's/Nubian)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Cheetah (elusive)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of dry savanna (ostrich, secretary‑bird, ground‑hornbill)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kampala
Road via Jinja, Mbale, then 90 km (56 mi) northeast on unpaved tracks to Moruajore gate.Road via Jinja, Mbale, then 56 mi (90 km) northeast on unpaved tracks to Moruajore gate.
8–10 h (good conditions)
Open the page →
From Mbale
Direct road north; 4×4 required for the last 60 km (37 mi) of rough track.Direct road north; 4×4 required for the last 37 mi (60 km) of rough track.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Moroto
Approach from the north via Namalu; similar 4×4 track.
2–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Moruajore headquarters | Gate, visitor office, basic accommodation, launch point for drives and walks. | Open with entry permit and guide. |
| Mount Kadam area | High‑altitude foothills and summit routes. | Guided hikes only. |
| Savanna plains | Game‑drive zones with roan antelope, giraffe, zebra, cheetah. | Guided vehicle only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate centre of the reserve; based on mapframe and Wikidata.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve entry (Moruajore gate) | Free | person | Exact fee not published; check with Uganda Wildlife Authority. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Reserve entry permit permit or guide
Guided game drive permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- All vehicle travel and hikes must be with a Uganda Wildlife Authority‑approved guide.
- Off‑road driving
- Not allowed outside designated tracks; protects soil and wildlife.
- Camping
- Only in designated sites with UWA permission; separate fees apply.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves only.
- Wildlife products
- Buying, selling or possessing animal parts is illegal.
Where to stay
In the park
Karamoja Overland Camp
Tents with en‑suite facilities; meals optional; full‑board ≈US$190 per person.
In the park
Pian Upe Cave House
Rock‑built rooms; full‑board ≈US$350 per night; 4×4 access required.
Safety
Muddy tracks after rain high
Security in Karamoja region medium
Heat and dehydration medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- 4×4 vehicle required; no wheelchair‑accessible paths.
- Headquarters area reachable by car with short walks.
Visiting lightly
- Use licensed UWA operators; avoid unofficial guides.
- Do not purchase wildlife parts; support community crafts directly.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve?
Entry fees are not published online; obtain the exact amount from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or your licensed operator when you book.
What are the best hikes in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve?
Guided hikes to Mount Kadam summit (4–6 h, hard) and short foothill walks around the headquarters are the main options; both require a UWA guide.
When is the best time to visit Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve?
The dry season (December–March) offers firm roads and concentrated wildlife; avoid the heavy rains of April–August.
Do I need a guide to drive in the reserve?
Yes. All vehicle travel must be with a Uganda Wildlife Authority‑approved guide; independent driving is prohibited.
Can I camp anywhere in Pian Upe?
Camping is only allowed at designated sites with UWA permission and a fee; independent backcountry camping is not permitted.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
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