How to get to Ajai Wildlife Reserve

How to get to Ajai Wildlife Reserve by road from Kampala

The 497 km road that takes from 6-7 hours’ drive from Kampala via Luwero nebbi to Arua Town where the Wildlife reserve is located.it is advisable to use a 4WD as the reserve roads can be slippery.

By Road from Murchison falls.                                                                                     

The 140 km road from Murchison falls via Pakwach and Nebbi is easily accessible by crossing the ferry at Paraa this trip can take 3-4 hours.

By Air

There are scheduled and charter flights from Entebbe operated by Eagle Air for information contact great adventure safaris

Ajai wildlife reserve                                                                                                                                                     

Ajai Wildlife Reserve is situated in northern western Uganda between districts of Arua, Nebbi, Moyo and Adjumani along the western shores of the Albert Nile, it is covered by savannah grassland. Ajai Wildlife Reserve covers an area of 166 square kilometers and it’s managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

History of Ajai wildlife reserve                                                                                                                                                   

Ajai Wildlife Reserve was managed by a local chief named “Ajai” who led in the 1930s hence the Reserve derived it name from him. Up to 1980, the Wildlife Reserve was one of the homes to the few White Rhinos in Uganda and is now extinct within the Wildlife Reserve-this explains why it used to be called Ajai Rhino Sanctuary. At that time, it sheltered over 60 white Rhinos of the total 80 of these mammals that Uganda had.  When the local community members began hunting the Rhinos, an International Organization called the World Wildlife Fund facilitated an Anti-poaching initiative that was conducted throughout the Wildlife Reserve in 1962, though it didn’t deter the poachers from hunting these mammals until they became extinct. After the local people began using the land (of the Wildlife Reserve) for their own personal use such as grazing and cultivation. In 2002, approximately 12 square Kilometers of land was reduced from the Wildlife Reserve to create more land for cultivation and human settlement.

Wildlife Species within the Wildlife Reserve

Much as the White Rhinos are now extinct within the Wildlife reserve, you will encounter other fascinating wildlife species that include primates such as the Olive baboons, Vervet monkeys, warthogs, Locals have reported the presence of leopards the duikers, Oribis, as well as Uganda Kobs among others. There are several aquatic Wildlife Species such as the Hippos and the Crocodiles and other reptiles such as the Pythons.

Birds of Ajai wildlife reserve.                                                                                                                                                      

There are several bird species that call Ajai Wildlife reserve home and they include the Grey Crowned cranes, Marabou stocks and African fish eagles, white backed vultures, helmeted guineafowl, black headed weaver, white browed Coucal, little bee -eater, among others.

Best time to visit 

This Reserve is open for tourist visitation at all times of the year but the dry season (December to early March and June to October) is the best. The rainy season is in the months of April, May, October and November.

Where to stay 

There are no accommodation facilities within the Wildlife Reserve, but travelers can stay in Arua Town. Or those with basic tents can camp at the camp site in the reserve. Contact Great Adventure Safaris for detailed information about the reserve.