Pian Upe Safari: Wildlife & Village Culture Tour

Wildlife at dawn, village meals, a night under canvas

A 2-day safari tour in Pian Upe Game Reserve, Uganda, combines early morning game drives for cheetah, zebras and wild dogs with time spent in a Karamojong village, traditional Manyatta hut and wilderness camping. The tour includes all meals, a live English-speaking guide and pickup. Minimum age is 18.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and cultural experience

• Head to Pian Upe Game Reserve
• Enjoy bush lunch
• Experience Karamojong village
• Watch sun downer at Pian Hills
• Experience wilderness camping

Day 2: Wildlife game drive and return

• Early morning game drive
• Enjoy bush breakfast
• Depart to Mbale

The experience

The first day starts with a drive to Pian Upe Game Reserve, where you eat a bush lunch while the Pian Hills come into view. You then spend time in a local Karamojong village, eating food prepared by residents and learning how they live in this remote region of Karamoja. Before dark, you experience a traditional Manyatta hut (a structure built and used by the Karamojong people), and watch the sun set over the wildlife landscape. The night is spent camping in the wilderness on the reserve itself, in tented accommodation provided by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Day two begins early. An early morning game drive takes you through the reserve in search of cheetah, antelopes, zebras, buffaloes and wild dogs. You'll eat a bush breakfast in the park, then depart back to Mbale. The tour is built around responsible travel that benefits the communities and ecosystems you visit, and it's open to anyone regardless of fitness level.

What’s included

• All meals from lunch on day one through breakfast on day two.
• tented accommodation at the Uganda Wildlife Authority Campsite.
• early morning game drive on day two.
• village visit and traditional Manyatta experience.
• live English-speaking guide throughout.
• pickup for the tour itself.

Options for this experience

2 options

Pian Upe GroupGuide in English · 06:00Accommodation in cottages or bandas. Duration: 2 days, offering a captivating two-day journey through this pristine wilderness. Lunch and dinner are included, with a safari van and pickup included.

Pian Upe Game Reserve SafariGuide in English · 06:00Includes pickup

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by East Trails

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see wildlife at the hour they're most active and spend real time with local people in their village, not just pass through. The 2-day format gives you a night on the reserve and a full morning game drive, which a 1-day trip cannot fit.

Traveler reviews

4.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife might I see on the early morning game drive?

The early morning drive targets cheetah, antelopes, zebras, buffaloes and wild dogs. The reserve is home to these species, though sightings depend on the day and the animals' movement.

What is a Manyatta and what do I do there?

A Manyatta is a traditional hut built and lived in by the Karamojong people. You visit one on the first evening to experience this part of local culture firsthand.

Where do I sleep on this tour?

You sleep in tented accommodation provided by the Uganda Wildlife Authority at their campsite on the reserve. It's wilderness camping, not a lodge.

Are all meals included?

Yes. Lunch and a sun downer on day one, dinner that evening, breakfast on day two, and a bush breakfast during the game drive are all included.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the reserve?

Pickup is included in the tour. Airport transfer to the reserve is not included but can be arranged separately if you ask when booking.