RÉSERVES NATURELLES DE BOKORA ET DE MATHENIKO

Located between Kotido and Moroto, these two reserves are relatively unknown. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has an office near the track linking Kotido and Moroto, and its rangers can accompany you on a nature walk (US$35), bird watching (US$35) or game drive (US$25). Entrance to the acacia-studded savannah and temporary swamps that make up these reserves costs US$15. Grant's gazelle, ewe, Uganda cob, ostrich, baboon, leopard (very rare and exclusive to the Matheniko reserve)... these two reserves have a few wildlife assets, but don't expect to see lions, cheetahs (these two felids have not been spotted for a long time...), elephants and the like. In the end, it's perhaps the avifauna observed here (around 100 species recorded) that's worth the detour: in addition to vultures, hornbills, kingfishers and weaverbirds, you might come across the endemic Karamoja apalis and white-bellied touracos. At present, there are no facilities for visitors to stay overnight in or near the reserves, but a camp may be set up at Turutoko in the years to come. In the rainy season, the track leading to the entrance of the reserves can be tricky. In any case, you'll need a powerful 4x4 for game drives (if you hire a UWA guide, departures are at 7 and 5 p.m.). For further information, please contact the UWA team in Mbale.