Uganda Reserves – JAMBO SAFARIS

Katonga Wildlife Reserve

The 207km² Katonga Wildlife Reserve is a savannah grassland ecosystem located within Kyenjojo and Kamwenge Districts. The journey into the Reserve is a three-hour drive from Kampala to Kyegegwa Town Council. At Kyegegwa, detour southwards for 42 km following well visible signposts.

The Reserve’s terrain is predominantly undulating in nature with distinct vegetation types. Vegetation includes grasslands, wooded grasslands, woodlands, riverine woodlands, swamp, riverine grasslands, papyrus. Most of the area is mixed savannah with acacia or woodland. However, large portions of the reserve are either permanent or seasonal wetlands. 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.

In the 1960s, the reserve was home to a variety of animals including the zebra, topi and eland, which are no longer seen in the reserve. Elephant, buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck, reedbuck and sitatunga still occur in the reserve. Between 1971 and 1985, most of the wildlife was killed through commercial and subsistence poaching. The reserve was also heavily encroached by cultivators and cattle grazing. In 2014 however, all the encroachers in the park were evicted.

Pian-upe Wildlife Reserves

Pian-upe Wildlife Reserve

Located in Eastern Uganda, north of Mount Elgon and SOkm east of Scroti. I’SO’-I’IS’N, 34”34”05′-34°50’E. Altitude l,000-3,06Sm Area 231,400ha.

A large variety of mammals in the area include: lion Panthera leo, leopard Pantheia pardus (T), cheetah Acinonyx jubatus (T), giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis, buffalo Syncerus caffer, waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus, Uganda kob Kobus kob, mountain reedbuck Redunca fuhorufula, roan antelope Hippotragus equinus, Jackson’s hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus Jacksoni, oribi Ourebia ourebi. Most of the eland Taurotragus oryx, topi Damaliscus lunatus, and zebra Eguus quaga borensis migrate into the area to breed from North Bokora and Matheniko reserves and migrate northwards when the rains begin. Birds include ostrich Struthio camelus, secretary bird Sagittarius serpentarius, and yellow-billed shrike Corvinella corvina (uncommon).

Kyambura Wildlife Reserve

Kyambura Wildlife Reserve

Located in South-west Uganda bordering the south-east of the Kazinga Channel and the south shore of Lake George. 0°05’S, 30°05’E. Altitude 700- 1,1 00m Area 15,700ha; contiguous to Queen Elizabeth National Park (197,800ha) and its associated reserves Uganda Land Tenure Government Physical Features The terrain is characterised by small hills and about 10 crater lakes above the east wall of the western Rift Valley (here interrupted by the vast upheaval of the Ruwenzori range). The area also contains a number of swamps. The boundary with Queen Elizabeth National Park is defined by the Kyambura River which flows into the Kazinga Channel. Vegetation Savanna grassland and deciduous thickets

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Karuma Wildlife Reserve

Located in Western Uganda, adjoining Murchison Falls National Park to the north. Approximately r50’N, 3r45’E.

Altitude 900m – 1,300m

Area 675km² (82,000ha); contiguous to Murchison Falls National Park 3877km² (384,000ha) and Bugungu Wildlife Reserve 473km² (52,000ha)

This is an area of gentle relief crossed by several watercourses, south of the Victoria Nile.

The savanna grasslands are dominated by elephant grass Pennisetum purpureurn and Hyparrhenia rufa with isolated forest and savanna trees representing remnants of former forest cover. It is bordered to the south-west by a forested zone.

Species similar to those in Murchison Falls National Park include elephant Loxodonta africana, giraffe Giraffa carrielopardalis, buffalo Syncerus caffer, and many antelope species. Large numbers of animals move in herds to and from Murchison Falls National Park.

Katonga Wildlife Reserve

Pian-upe Wildlife Reserve

Kyambura Wildlife Reserve

Karuma Wildlife Reserve

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