Ajai Wildlife Reserve
| Ajai Wildlife Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Ajai's Island | |
  Location in Uganda | |
| Nearest city | Arua |
| Coordinates | 2°52′N 31°17′E / 2.867°N 31.283°ECoordinates: 2°52′N 31°17′E / 2.867°N 31.283°E |
| Area | 148 km2 (57 sq mi) |
| Established | 1965 |
The Ajai Wildlife Reserve is a small conservation protected area in northeastern Uganda dominated by a large island surrounded by seasonally flooded swamps and wooded savanna.
Location[]
Ajai lies on the western bank of the White Nile, approximately 40 km (25 mi) east of Arua.[1]
History[]
Before Ajai was gazetted as a wildlife reserve in 1965, the Ajai Rhino Sanctuary was home to 60 of Uganda's 80 remaining white rhino. The WWF funded an anti-poaching project there in 1962.
In 2002 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi) were carved out of the reserve to make space for human settlements.
In 2008 the Uganda Wildlife Authority privatized the operation of Ajai. The concession went to Uganda Wildlife Safaris Ltd, a hunting and photographic tour operator.[2]
Wildlife[]
The reserve supports around 35 kilometers of papyrus swamp along with grassy floodplains and Savannah woodland. Large mammals present include leopard, Uganda Kob, sitatunga, hippo, black-and-white colobus and warthog, and there are reputedly long-term plans to introduce southern white rhinos.[3]
Getting there[]
To get to Ajai from Arua, follow the surfaced Packwach Road south for 15 kilometers to Olevu, then branch left on to a 40 kilometer dirt road running east to the reserve.
References[]
 |
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ajai Game Reserve. |
- ^ IUCN Conservation Monitoring Center; Parks, IUCN Commission on National; Areas, Protected (1987). IUCN directory of afrotropical protected areas. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. p. 889. ISBN 2880328047. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ^ Mugabi, Frank (31 December 2008). "UWA delegates Ajai park management". New Vision. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ^ Briggs, Philip (2016). Uganda: The Bradt Travel Guide. England: Bradt Travel Guide Ltd. p. 322. ISBN 9781784770228.
- IUCN Category III
- Important Bird Areas of Uganda