Karenga Community Wildlife Management Area is one of few visited conservation area in north-eastern Uganda ,with an area covering about 956 square kilometers ,comprised of scenery ecosystem which is part of famous Kidepo Valley National Park world’s unmatched wilderness that inhabits unique wildlife species of around 86 mammals ,500 bird species as well as unique culture .Although the reserve faces wildlife poaching ,lack of adequate infrastructure for eco-tourist and unstainable use of natural resources such as Charcoal manufacturing . But the government had to come out with helping hand to stop poaching and deforestation in the area by putting strict rules around the area.
Furthermore, Karenga Community Wildlife Management Area is fame for the East Sudanian Biome and was gazette in 2002, sitting in an area of about 956 square kilometers ‘’369 square miles’’ comprised of the Northern Acacia –Commiphora bushlands and thickets ecosystem hence being part of the Kidepo Valley National Park. Therefore, while on visit expect to see common wildlife species within this protected Area including; Leopards, Giant forest hogs, Cheetahs, Warthogs, Giraffes, over 2000 elephants and various antelopes can be viewed including bushbucks, topis, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, buffaloes, primates like blue monkeys and vervet monkeys among others.
However, this wildlife Area stuns with beautiful nature and variety of wildlife and bird species though it lacks accommodation facilities where tourists can have their booking stay rather book accommodation from as far as Kaabong or Moroto district thus leading to few visitors to visit the place. Because of few accommodation facilities in the area, is the reason why it receives fewer visitors.
Apart from Karenga Community Wildlife Management Area ‘’KCWMA’’, Uganda boosts with more than 11 wildlife Reserve including Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Katonga Wildlife Reserve, Pian Upe, Bokora Corridor, Kigezi Mountain Wildlife, Kabwoya, Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Matheniko Wildlife Reserve, Bugungu, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, East – Madi, Karuma Wildlife Reserve among others.
Since it’s a wildlife area with its inhabitant which are part Kidepo Valley National Park where you can plan to combine a safari itinerary with a visit to Karenga Community Wildlife Area and Kidepo Valley National park both are located in the same region few distances to access each safari destination in vise verse.
Activities to do in Karenga Community Wildlife Reserve includes, Birding, Game drive, Nature Walk among other.
Activities to do in Kidepo Valley National Park
Game drive
This is the ultimate activity done in the park and is more attractive during dry seasons of the month of June to September and December to February when the savannah is short and clear to adventure the animal species in Kidepo Valley National Park such as buffaloes , bat eared fox ,stripped hyenas ,Caracal ,Cheetah ,Hippos , hunting dogs ,black headed jackal , lions , zebras ,elephants ,giraffes among others and other rewarding attractions within the park like Kanangorok Hot Springs ,visit Kidepo River a good place to view bird species like Abyssinia Ground Hornbill Clapperton’s Francolin ,African King Fisher ,Four banded sand grouse many more birds.
Birdwatching
Kidepo Valley National Park is truly a stopping area for birding in Uganda Birding Tours and the best birding area within the park is around the Apoka Rest Camp and bird species to see include; Ostriches, Jackson’s hornbill, Northern carmine bee-eater, Red-ringed parakeet, Golden pipit, Black-breasted barbet, Abyssinian scimitar bill, Rufous chatterer, Purple grenadier, Red- and yellow barbet, Dark chanting goshawk, Kori bustard, Little bee-eater among others.
Cultural Visit
In north eastern Uganda region in semi-arid, there is a unique culture who amazes with their dressing code and dancing style ‘’Karamojong people’’. On visit here, you tour different villages; the Leopard and the Muhokya village where you will have chances of learning about their interesting culture and rewarding features.
Hike to the IK People
A visit to Kidepo Valley National Park will lead you to hike different stunning mountains where you will be able to view black and white colobus, monkey, Kavirondo bush baby, Red tailed monkeys many more. Take hike to Mount Morungole a home to IK People who live along the higher elevations of the mountain, you will enjoy their unique cultural value.
