Bokora wildlife Reserve
Bokora Wildlife Reserve is a strip of corridor in which wildlife species connect Matheniko Wildlife Reserve in southeast of Kidepo Valley and Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve further southeast of Kidepo but much nearer to Mt Elgon National Park in the hilly Elgon region. Many wildlife species periodically keep rotating between these series of protected areas following in the weather patterns. At 2,056km2, Bokora Wildlife Reserve is the second largest wildlife geographic surface area in Uganda and her ecological importance was recognised during the colonial times and gazetted a wildlife protection area in 1964 todate. Bokora Wildlife Reserve is generally flat plain dominated by savanna grasslands, stunted trees, shrubs and bush; the semi arid plant cover associated with entire Karamoja region. In the dry season, June-September, December- February, land is bare in some parts. Mountains Kadam and Napak are two iconic standout natural features that pierce the blue skies in the north of Bokora Wildlife Reserve.
Bokora is a destination with a laidback natural setting with exciting attractions in their raw form. A limited number of travelers on tour of Uganda venture into the Bokora Wildlife Reserve, but the few who have made a tour into the reserve experience unique sightings on safari into Uganda. Loporokocho swamp is wildlife species lifeline most especially during the dry season when some grounds are bare. Lions, lesser kudus, buffalos, topis, leopards, the Elands, Oribis, Zebras, Roan antelopes, the striped hyenas, the Uganda Kobs, the Bright’s gazelles, hartebeests, the spotted hyenas, the Oryx and Reedbucks are some of the mammal sightings. Bokora has unique bird species that adapt to semi arid climatic conditions and is an ideal Uganda safari destination for birding safaris. The ostrich, Alpine chat, Grey cukoo-shrike, Dusky turtle dove, Whiteheaded buffalo weaver, African Hill Babbler, Lemon dove, the Thick-billed Honey guide, Mountain yellow warbler, the Jackson’s Hornbill, the Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeon, the Grey C the Hartlaub’s Turaco, the Black-throated Wattle-eye are amongst resident bird species that may not be easily spotted elsewhere.
Pitching tents close to herds of mammals is an unforgetable Uganda tour experience that gives travelers exclusive proximity to wildlife species. Camping is the only possibility of accommodation within the Bokora Wildlife Reserve, though there are on going arrangements with private developers to erect permanent safari camps. Moroto, Kotido, Katakwi and Abim towns have all accommodation facilities and are ideal places for an overnight before wildlife expeditions into the Bokora Wildlife Reserve.
