Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve

Bokora Corridor Wildlife reserve is located in the north eastern part of Uganda in Karamoja sub region. Bakora Corridor has area coverage of 205,600 ha (794 sq mi) making it the second largest game reserve in Uganda, with the reserve was gazetted in 1964. Bakora Corridor Wildlife reserve is part of the wider semi-arid Karamoja Wildlife Reserve, which also includes Matheniko Game Reserve and Pian Upe Wildlife conservation. The three-game reserves are named after ethics groups that neighbor them, Bakora Corridor Game Reserve is named after Bakora, an ethnic group that lives close to the reserve.

Bakora game reserve has Mount Kadam and Mount Napaka as its major tourist attractions, the reserve is dominated by savannah grassland, shrubs, short trees and bushes that are home to variety of wildlife like Cheetahs, Bright’s gazelles, Lions, Oribis, Hartebeests, Elands, Giraffes, Spotted Hyenas, Uganda Kobs, Rothschild’s giraffes, zebras, Roan antelopes, Topis, Striped Hyenas, Reedbucks, Lasser Kudu, the reserve is used as a path way by elephants and buffaloes from Sudan to Kidepo National Park and other neighboring reserves. Bakora is also a birder’s paradise and the only place to spot ostriches in Uganda, other bird species include buffalo’s weaver, lemon dove, yellow warbler,turtle dove, grey cuckoo shrikes, African hill babblers, billed honey guides, Alpine chat, Hartlaub’s turaco, black throated wattle eye, Jackson’s hornbill, napped pigeon and all these birds are best spotted in the reserve’s Loporokocho swamp.

Activities at Bakora Corridor Wildlife Reserve

Wildlife viewing

Bakora Corridor has a remarkable number of wildlife species that are worth viewing, wildlife viewing in the reserve can be done during game drive where you will spot cheetahs, elephants, lions, buffaloes, hyenas, cheetahs among others.

Bird watching

Despite the long dry spells of Bakora game reserve to have a reasonable number of bird species like the Ostrich, buffalo weaver, lemon dove, yellow warbler, turtle dove, grey cuckoo shrike, African hill babbler, billed honey guide, Alpine chat, Hartlaub’s turaco, black throated wattle eye among others.

Cultural encounter

During cultural encounters tourists visit the Karamojong people where you get a chance to discover the untold story about the African natives, these nomadic pastorates rely on cattle raring for almost everything. You get an opportunity to learn more about these people.

Camping

The park has no standard accommodation hence visitors to the reserve are given a chance to experience its wilderness on moon light. Space to set up your tents will be provided and tourists will be required to carry their own camping gear.

Hiking

During this activity tourists can hike up Mount Napak to its top or Mount Moroto.

Best to visit Bakora Corridor Wildlife Reserve

Just like all other Ugandan tourist destinations, the reserve is open to tourists all year round. But the best time to visit is during the dry season in the months of June-September and December -February Because the road network is the reserve is poor and can be difficult to access during the wet season in the months of November, May and April.

Where to stay in Bakora Corridor Wildlife Reserve

There is no standard accommodation in the reserve hence camping remains as the only option while in the park or other travelers who wish for a more comfortable stay should resort to hosting their nights in hotels in Moroto or Kotido.