Bokora Corridor wildlife reserve
Bokora corridor wildlife reserve is a spectacular wildlife reserve situated in north western Uganda with Moroto as the nearest town, this reserve covering an area of 205,600 hectares is the second largest wildlife reserve in Uganda and also falls under the great semi-arid karamoja wildlife conservation region. Karamoja wildlife conservation region consist of Pian Upe wildlife reserve, Matheniko game reserve and kidepo national park.
The three game reserves in this great conservation area were named after four ethnic groups of Karamojong tribe that is the Upe, the pian, the matheniko and the Bokora, each of these groups do live close to a game reserve named after them. The pian and Upe live adjust to pian Upe wildlife reserve, the Bokora live adjust to the reserve, the matheniko occupy areas around matheniko game reserve.
Bokora corridor wildlife experience semi-arid climatic conditions which influence the growth of savanna grasslands, shrubs, short trees and bush vegetation species, the reserve is a very spectacular area consisting of dry plains that is mount Kadam and mount Napak. Historically the reserve was gazetted as in 1964.
ATTRACTIONS IN BOKORA CORRIDOR WILDLIFE RESERVE
Bokora corridor wildlife reserve consist of various spectacular attractions which are loved by many tourists who visit the reserve, attractions in the reserve include
Wildlife
The reserve is a home to a variety of animal species which are encountered in reserve while on a game reserve, these animals include Cheetahs, Bright’s gazelles, Buffaloes, Elands, Hartebeests, Leopards, Lesser kudu, Lions, Oribis, Oryx, Reedbucks, Roan antelopes, Rothschild’s Giraffes, Spotted hyenas, Striped hyenas, Topis, Uganda Kobs and Zebras. Occasionally elephants and buffaloes can be spotted in the reserve as they use the reserve as their route from Sudan to kidepo national park and other neighboring wildlife reserve.
Birds
The reserve is a perfect spot to see a number of bird species such as Ostriches, the African Hill Babbler, the Alpine Chat, the Black-throated Wattle-eye, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, the Hartlaub’s Turaco, Jackson’s Hornbills, the Lemon Dove, the Thick-billed Honey guide, White-headed Buffalo-weaver Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeons, Dusky Turtle Doves and many more. These bird species are found of living in the semi desert conditions which makes it hard to be seen in other areas of Uganda.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN BOKORA CORRIDOR WILDLIFE RESERVE
Bokora corridor wildlife safari offers numerous amazing tourist activities which you get to participate and get best experience while in the reserve, they include.
Game drives
Game drives in Bokora wildlife reserve are an amazing retreat for a tourist as you drive through the reserve while encountering a variety animal species such as antelopes, lions, buffaloes, giraffe, hyenas, cheetahs, Lions, Oribis, Oryx, Reedbucks, Roan antelopes and many more as they graze and roam around the reserve.
Bird watching
Bird watching in Bokora corridor wildlife reserve offers you a chance to encounter beautiful interesting bird species such as the ostrich the biggest bird on earth and others like African Hill Babbler, the Alpine Chat, the Black-throated Wattle-eye, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Jackson’s Hornbills, the Lemon Dove and many more.
Cultural visits
Cultural visits in the reserve takes you to visit in the Karamojong community, the Karamojong people are a tribal group of people who take more interest in conserving their culture, norms and traditions from any threats bee it technology or modernization. While on visit in their community you will witness their traditional setting of their houses the manyattas, rearing livestock and traditional dances which are performed in the evening. Visiting this community will offer an authentic African traditional life style.
The best time to visit Bokora corridor wildlife reserve
Bokora corridor wildlife reserve is open and welcoming visitors throughout the year but the best time to visit the reserve is during the dry periods of June – September and December – February. Dry season is the best times to get the best experience of the reserve because the trails in and leading to the reserve are dry and passable. Though it is the best time, during these dry months the reserve is crowded by tourists so for tourists who do not a lot of crowd they can visit the park in the rainy months of November, May and April. The disadvantage of visiting the reserve in these months is that the trails in the park are muddy and nearly impassable.
Accommodation in Bokora corridor wildlife reserve
There is really no best established accommodation facility in and around Bokora wildlife reserve, the reserve there is a camping site where you can spend the night. The advantage of camping is that it is more adventurous and adds to your experience as you watch the spectacular view of the sky in the night and nocturnal animals as they roam in the reserve, for those wanting a more comfortable accommodation facility they can get some in either Moroto or Kotido town.
Accessing Bokora corridor wildlife reserve
The reserve is approximately 7-8 hour’s drive from Kampala the starting point of most the safaris in Uganda, the reserve can be accessed using different route while using road means of transport, routes such as Kampala –Jinja – pallisa -Soroti route, Kampala – Masindi route, Kampala -Jinja-Soroti route and from Moroto town to the reserve it is a 1 – 2 hours’ drive. You can also opt to use air mean of transport to access the park where by you use a chartered flight from Entebbe international; airport or kajjansi airstrip to kidepo airstrip then connect to the reserve. There are many companies offering scheduled domestic flights to the reserve such as Aerolink.
Note: while travelling to this reserve it is best to use a 4X4 safari so as to navigate through trails in and around the park which seem to get muddy and close to impassable most especially in the wet season.
