Bokora Game Reserve is one of the 12 wildlife reserves of Uganda, and is set in the extreme north-eastern corner of Uganda between Moroto and Mount Elgon, as well as between Matheniko and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserves. It is situated along the south-western border of Karamoja region.
An Ostrich is one of the birds to find in Bokora Wildlife Reserve
The landscape of this Protected Area is marked by a few inselbergs, which are a characteristic of the southern Karamojong region, given the fact that it is even semi-arid. The wooded grassland vegetation sitting on the semi-arid marginal land is surprisingly of little or no use for settlement and agriculture thus the existence of this Wildlife Reserves puts the area to good use.
What to see in Bokora Game Reserve
Animals: While it doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves, Bokora Wildlife Reserve is one of the top safari destinations in Uganda with lots of antelope species that include giant elands, lesser kudu, Uganda Kobs, Mountain reedbucks, Roan antelopes, Jackson’s hartebeests, Oribis, Topis, giant elands and bushbucks. Besides antelopes, there are a number of mammals in this Protected Area that include leopards, Burchell’s zebras, spotted hyenas and so much more.
Birds: Bokora Game Reserve is also a birding hot spot with numerous bird species that can’t be spotted in other areas of the country. Majority of these birds live in the wetland areas of the Reserve. Loporokocho swamp for instance is where the Jackson’s hornbills, Dusky turtle Doves, Hartlaub’s Turacos, the Eastern Bronze-naped pigeons, Lemon Doves, Grey-cuckoo-shrikes, Mountain yellow warblers, Alpine chat, Thick-billed honey guides, Ostriches, African Hill babblers and Jackson’s hornbills are found. Bokora Wildlife Reserve is also home to the Black-throated wattle-eye and white-headed buffalo weavers among others.
Loporocho swamp: The beautiful Loporocho swamp is a wonderful attraction with Bokora Wildlife Reserve, given its wide array of wildlife species.
Mount Napak and Kadam: Napak and Kadam Mountains are found along the northern boundaries of Bokora Wildlife Reserve hence offering magnificent scenery. The latter is the second highest Mountain in the Karamoja region with Lobo being the highest peak.
Things To Do within Bokora Game Reserve
Game viewing: Given the open grasslands in Bokora Wildlife Reserve, the animals walk freely and are easier to see, combined with magnificent views of the sweeping savannah plains around the Reserve. The vegetation combined with weather as well as numerous wildlife species make Bokora Wildlife Reserve amazing for game viewing. It is always easy to see the leopards and spotted hyenas, like it is with the antelopes.
Bird watching: Bokora Wildlife Reserve is an amazing birding destination, given the fact that it is home to Ostriches, the World’s largest birds. These birds are common in Protected Areas within the Karamoja region and this destination is just perfect for them. The vast open plains make it possible for these beautiful feathered beauties to sight predators who want to hunt and prey on them in addition to animals that desire to feed on their eggs.
Community visits: Your tour of Bokora Wildlife Reserve is incomplete without visiting the Karamojong people who live around the Protected Area. Learn from this pastoralist tribe and explore their cultures and traditions not changed by modernity. During your visit, you will discover that they depend on cattle products-blood, milk and meat as well as hides. At the end of the visit get entertained in typical Karamojong dances.
Guided nature walks: The open plains of Bokora Wildlife Reserve make it ideal for guided nature walks, where views of Mount Napak and Kadam will be relished. This tourist activity is undertaken in the company of an armed UWA Ranger as you walk through different areas of the Reserve.
Accommodation Within and Around
There are presently no standard accommodation facilities within Bokora Wildlife Reserve and therefore Camping is the best option. There are a number of Camping Sites, sitting in raised platforms of the Protected Area hence making it perfect to watch wildlife and other phenomenal attractions of Bokora Wildlife Reserve. However, standard accommodation options- in form of Hotels are found in the nearby Moroto and Kotido Towns.
When to visit Bokora Wildlife Reserve
Bokora Wildlife Reserve is open for visitation all year round, although the dry season-December to February and June to September is always considered ideal for wildlife viewing because roads are drier and easier to maneuver through as well as vegetation being scantier thus easier to spot animals that roam through the savannah plains. The rainy season is normally from March to May and October to November, marked by muddy and slippery roads hence difficult to maneuver through the reserve.
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