Game Reserves in Uganda

Explore game reserves in Uganda for lifetime wildlife experiences with Superfine Safaris Limited. Uganda safaris do not only stop at visiting national parks but also extend to exploring different game reserves in all parts of the country. Uganda features 12 Game Reserves located in different corners of the country, comprised of savannah grasslands, rainforest, woodland, and other ecosystems. The Pearl of Africa is incredibly diverse and offers diverse wildlife experiences to travelers on Uganda safaris. Go through our guide to Uganda’s Game Reserves, where exactly to find them, and the wildlife and bird species sheltered in these Protected Areas.

Take your time to discover Uganda’s best-kept Game Reserves where Mother Nature reigns and some of the country’s most sought-after wildlife species roam freely. These off-the-beaten-path Reserves offer the ideal safari destinations for nature tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. Join us in the journey through these hidden gems, where adventure meets conservation.

Game Reserves in Uganda

Pian Upe Game Reserve

Pian Upe is Uganda’s largest Game Reserve, and whilst it is over a 10-hour drive from Kampala, it still maintains its wild side. Covering 2275 square kilometers, it is the country’s second-largest Protected Area after Murchison Falls National Park. Pian Upe Game Reserve is among the top spots to see cheetahs in Uganda, which roam through the northeastern side of the country. Cast your eyes in the savannah grasslands and woodlands to sight leopards, Rothschild’s giraffes, Defassa waterbucks, Roan antelopes, Giant elands, Topis, Mountain Reedbucks, zebras, Oribis, Hippos, Uganda Kobs, Cape buffaloes, Lions, Jackson’s hartebeests, as well as over 240 bird species. From Ostriches, yellow-billed shrikes, to secretary birds.

Toro-Semliki Game Reserve

Nestled in the savannah and woodland-covered dramatic Rift Valley area between Rwenzori, Lake Albert, and Kijura Escarpment, is a 54200-hectare Toro-Semliki Game Reserve. The Reserve was established in 1926, hence making it one of the country’s oldest Protected Areas with woodlands, interspersed with belts of riparian woodland along watercourses, and patches of Borassus palm forest.

Home to Uganda Kobs, common warthogs, African bush elephants, Defassa waterbucks, red-tailed monkeys, Bushbucks, vervet monkeys, Black and white Colobus monkeys, Giant elands, Chimpanzees, Olive baboons, and Cape buffaloes, this Game Reserve’s diverse wildlife species thrive in one of Uganda’s most pristine environments. Aside from wildlife, other highlights of any visit to this Reserve are the four communities (Rwebisengo, Karugutu-Kyabandara, Kasesenge-Kyakabaseke, and Ntoroko fishing community) living around the Reserve.

Activities here include guided primate walks, game drives, guided nature walks, boat rides on Lake Albert, and guided village/community walks.

Katonga Game Reserve

Savannah grasslands, seasonal swamps, wooded grasslands, riverine woodlands and grasslands, woodlands, and Papyrus make up the 20700-hectare Katonga Game Reserve, one of Uganda’s crowning jewels. Not only is it one of the country’s most beautiful Reserves, but its diverse ecosystem helps to support a wide array of species, including Sitatunga, Olive baboons, Black and white Colobus monkeys, Defassa waterbucks, Hippos, River otters, impalas, Zebras, African bush elephants, Reedbucks, Uganda Kobs, Cape buffaloes, bushbucks, leopards, and over 150 bird species.

Here, you can spend hours enjoying guided nature walks, game drives, and canoe trips through wetlands to spot River otters and bird species.

Ajai Game Reserve

Ajai Game Reserve is a surreal scene where rivers and riverine swamps border the Nile River and its two tributaries- Acha and Ala. As you explore the wooded savannah and grassland areas of this 14800-hectare Protected Area between Pakwach and Nimule (10 kilometers north of Inde and 32 kilometers southwest of Arua), you will be introduced to Defassa waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, Hippos, and Bushbucks, among others.

You can also spot Black and white Colobus monkeys, Olive baboons, Uganda Kobs, and others. Also expect to watch hundreds of bird species that include African openbill, Lizard Buzzard, the Eastern Plantain-eater, and many others.

Bugungu Game Reserve

One of the most spectacular of Uganda’s Game Reserves, Bugungu is marked by dry thicket with some open savannah woodland covering its 52000 hectares. Originally gazetted in 1963 as a “Controlled Hunting Area”, Bugungu was allocated its Game Reserve status five years later.

Sitting between Murchison Falls National Park and the northern shores of Lake Albert, it has natural features similar to the southern sector of Murchison. The main draw to this Game Reserve is the almost guaranteed sightings of African bush elephants, Defassa waterbucks, Cape buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeests, lions, Uganda Kobs, warthogs, leopards, and several bird species. As for birds, there are 240 spectacular bird species of every color and size, from Egyptian Goose, saddle-billed storks, Eastern Grey plantain-eater, to helmeted guineafowl.

Karuma Game Reserve

Approximately 7 hours Northwest of Kampala lies Karuma Game Reserve, which was first established in 1962 as a “Controlled Hunting Area” and a Game Reserve two years later. This less-visited Reserve adjoins Murchison Falls National Park to the North, with 675 square kilometers to its name.

It encompasses a gentle area crossed by several water courses, south of the Victoria Nile, with savannah grasslands, isolated forest, and savannah woodlands. You can explore these areas, offering glimpses of African bush elephants, Rothschild giraffes, Cape buffaloes, and several antelope species, most of which move to/from Murchison Falls National Park.

Kigezi Game Reserve

Covering nearly 265 square kilometers, Kigezi is one of Uganda’s less-explored Game Reserves. Made up of moist deciduous forest and savannah grasslands that are similar to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, this Reserve provides one of the incredible stomping grounds for common warthogs, black and white Colobus monkeys, Cape buffaloes, Defassa waterbucks, chimpanzees, Topis, Uganda Kobs, bushbucks, Oribis, African bush elephants, giant forest hogs, Hippos, and the red Colobus monkeys.

Another huge draw to Kigezi Game Reserve is the birdlife. Said to be home to over 300 bird species, this Reserve is an incredible place for birding where highlights include Mourning collared-Dove, red-necked spurfowl, Grey-crowned cranes, and Helmeted guineafowl, among others.

Kyambura Game Reserve

Located in the southwest of Uganda, bordering the southern shores of Lake George and the southeastern area of the Kazinga Channel, the 157-square-kilometer Kyambura Game Reserve is contiguous to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Reserve is known for its small hills and 10 Crater Lakes above the eastern wall of the western Rift Valley.

Also comprising several swamps and defined by the Kyambura River that flows into the Kazinga Channel, savannah grassland, and deciduous thickets, this Game Reserve is home to Hippos, buffaloes, Lions, African bush elephants, Leopards, and several antelope species.

Matheniko Game Reserve

Previously part of the Central Karamoja Controlled Hunting Area, Matheniko Game Reserve is known for its exceptional wildlife species. Additionally, lions, Bright’s gazelles, Leopards, Giant Elands, cheetahs, Rothschild’s giraffes, and Roan antelopes call this Reserve home.

Known for being part of the Karamoja Plateau and bordered by the Great Rift Escarpment in the East, this 160-square-kilometer Protected Area is just North of Moroto and extends along the border with Kenya.

Bokora Game Reserve

Extending 2056 square kilometers in Northeastern Uganda, between Moroto and Mount Elgon, Bokora is one of Uganda’s largest Game Reserves. It was officially gazetted in 1964 as a migration area that allows the free movement of wildlife between Matheniko Plains and Pian Upe Game Reserve.

This Game Reserve was initially part of Central-South Karamoja controlled hunting areas and features a Plateau with several inselbergs, which are typical of the southern Karamoja sub-region. Its landscape is dry and marked by savannah grassland, as well as woodland which shelters spotted hyenas, Uganda Kobs, Topis, Oribis, Jackson’s hartebeests, leopards, giant elands, Mountain Reedbucks, and others.

Kabwoya Game Reserve

Established in 2002, Kabwoya is one of Uganda’s greatest Game Reserves, combining an incredible array of attractions. Its 8700-hectare landscape is marked by Hyparrhenia and Themeda grassland dotted with dry thicket sheltering abundant wildlife species. Expect to see Bohor Reedbucks, Cape buffaloes, Defassa waterbucks, Bushbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, Bush pigs, duikers, Hippos, giant forest hogs, warthogs, Oribis, Cape buffaloes, Black and white Colobus monkeys, Hippos, and others.

There are abundant waterholes and 4WD game tracks for game drives, and wildlife-filled walking trails.