Karuma Wildlife Reserve lies along the northern route to Gulu, towards Murchison Falls National Park the largest conservation area in Uganda and the oldest lying on an elevation of 902m above sea level, famous for its Karuma Falls along the magnificent Victoria Nile. It is located in the Murchison falls conservation area that contains Bugungu, Budongo, Kanio-Papidi and Murchison Falls National Park.
Karuma was gazette in 1964 to act as a safe zone between Murchison Falls National Park and the local villages covering an area of 820 square kilometers, its key feature is the Karuma falls believed to have gotten its name from a spirit called Karuma, the locals believe Karuma devised the rocks upon which the water falls with a great roar the falls right along the way attracting travelers that pass by here and at most times it is a continuation to the Murchison falls the world’s most powerful water fall one can hike to the top or have a boat cruise to the bottom of the Nile.
The game reserve is home to various wildlife that live and roam freely in their natural habitats like elephants, hippos, giraffes, waterbucks, hyenas, warthogs, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, oribi, hartebeest primates like vervet monkey, olive baboons, l’hoest monkey, black and white colobus monkey, blue monkeys among many other animals can be sighted and some bird species can be seen here for example the king fisher, sunbirds, cranes.
The park has lost its sense of safety for both animals and humans as there is a lot of encroachment on the park, more than 7000 refugees were re-located to kiryandongo district a portion of karuma game reserve for settlement, human activity on the land is still a threat to the game reserve, faced by a challenge of depletion of the flora and fauna found in here as a result of poaching.
Tour safaris to the game reserve can be packaged together with Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to have a variety of more game infact one can have chance to see all the big FIVE elephants, buffalos, leopard, lion and the Rhino. It is advisable to wear long sleeved shirts, trousers, and boots, mosquito repellents and sunscreen for safety purposes. The parks weather conditions in this conservation area are relatively uniform all throughout the year however the best time to visit is during the dry season between the months of December to February and late June to September the rains are unpredictable so it can rain anytime.
Karuma Wildlife Reserve is located in Kiryandongo District formerly Masindi in northern Uganda approximately six hours’ drive chatter flights can be arranged in Kampala – Kajansi or Entebbe to Pakuba airstrip. Accommodation is available in the nearby Murchison Falls National Park and nearby towns ranging from luxury to midrange for example Chobe Safari Lodge, Bakers Lodge, Fort Murchison, Murchison River Lodge among others.
Karuma falls is a breath taking falls that is a must see on your African safaris, cool air and roar from the falls is magnificent and angelic explore Uganda there is more to see and learn wildlife to cultures.