Ajai Wildlife Reserve in Uganda

Ajai Wildlife Reserve in Uganda

Ajai wildlife reserve in Uganda : is another fascinating tourist destination nestled in  north-eastern Uganda. It is between districts of Arua, Nebbi, Moyo and Adjumani on the western banks of the mighty Albert Nile between Pakwach and Nimule. The reserve is relatively small approximately (166 sq km) and is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. In fact, it derived its name from a powerful local chief called Ajai who led in the 1930_s. Generally, it was first established in 1962 and later officially established as Ajai wildlife reserve in 1965. This reserve comprises of a prominent island that is encompassed by savannah and seasonal swamps that are supplied by the rivers Acha and Ala.

During the rainy seasons, the swamp gets fully flooded thus cutting off the island from the outside world. This basically explains why animals continue to survive within the island close to a growing human population. The reserve basically  consists of woodlands, savannah plains as well as swamps. In fact, has got a great Tourism potential hosting or harboring a diversity of wildlife.

These include; leopards, bushbucks, black and white colobus, zebras, foxes, common duikers. Dik dik, olive baboons, oribi, vervet monkeys, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, civets, buffaloes, sitatungas, hippopotamus, etc. In addition, it hosts a number of reptiles such as pythons, green snakes, monitor lizards, puff adders, black cobras, etc. Additionally the swamps and woodlands combine to perfectly harbor  a variety of bird species. These include; African fish eagles, Grey crowned cranes, giant kingfishers, Marabou stocks, African jacanas, pied kingfishers, etc.

History

Historically, till the early 1970s, Uganda was a popular tourist destination due to her spectacular sceneries. These included the higher concentration and diversity of wildlife including both the black and white rhinos. Initially, the reserve was managed by a powerful local chief named “Ajai” who led in the 1930 hence deriving its name from him until 1980. As a matter of fact, the Reserve was one of the few places where you could sight the endangered white rhinos in Uganda. However, they are now extinct within the wildlife reserve and this draws an explanation as to why it was once called the Ajai Rhino Sanctuary.

During that time, it harbored over 60 white Rhinos out of the 80 Uganda was hosting. When the local community members started hunting these rhinos, the World Wildlife Fund facilitated an Anti-poaching initiative that was conducted throughout the reserve in 1962. However, it didn’t stop the poachers from hunting these mammals, not until they became extinct. Later, the local people started using the wildlife reserve land for their own personal activities. After a period of six years, the Uganda Wildlife Authority came in and privatized some of the management and operations of the Reserve. This was with peculiar consideration given to a private hunting and photographic tour operator, the Uganda Wildlife Safaris Limited. Today Uganda’s rhinos are extinct and very few rhinos now survive outside national parks and reserves country.

Activities in Ajai reserves

Game drives

In Ajai game reserve, game viewing can be enjoyed while on a game drive in several different game drive tracks. Here, you drive through scaling landscapes where you will have great chances of seeing the lions in wait for prey. You will also have a big opportunity to have a glimpse at different animals and bird species. Animals include; the sitatungas, leopards, olive baboons, common duikers, hyenas, warthogs, waterbucks, bush bucks, hartebeests, etc.

Birding 

Game drives offer an opportunity for one to come across a variety of distinct birdlife including savannah forest birds and water birds. The commonest species include; the Marabou stork, Secretary birds, Abyssinian ground hornbills, Open-billed storks, Black-billed Bustards, Widow birds, etc. Additionally, near swamps and other water bodies where there are more thickets and woodlands also harbors birds. These include; the Giant kingfishers, shrikes, Malachite Kingfishers, francolins, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, herons. Hamerkop, African fish eagles, Crombecs, Hornbills, Red-throated Bee-eaters, Geese, Stilts, Warblers, plovers, Flycatchers, etc.

How to get there

This Uganda Safari destination can be accessed by both Air and road transport. Through road transport, it is approximately  6-7 hours’ drive from Kampala to Arua. With air transport, scheduled and charter flights can be arranged from Kajjansi to Arua airfield. You can also fly from Entebbe to Gulu or Arua after which you can be transferred to the reserve for the day’s activities. Are you planning to take a safari trip to North western Uganda, don’t miss out spotting on Ajai wildlife reserve.