Ajai Wildlife Reserve

Ajai Wildlife Reserve: A Sanctuary of Natural Beauty and Biodiversity

Date Established

1962: Established as the White Rhino Sanctuary

1965: Became Ajai Game Reserve

Geographical Location

Ajai Wildlife Reserve is situated on the west bank of the Nile River, between Pakwach and Nimule. It lies approximately 10km north of Inde and 32km east-south-east of Arua, at coordinates 2°55’N, 31°25’E.

Altitude and Area

Altitude: 700-1,000 meters

Area: 148 square kilometers (15,800 hectares)

Physical Features

Ajai Wildlife Reserve features a landscape of rivers and riverine swamps, bordered by the Nile River and its tributaries, the Ala and Acha. The reserve includes several swamp islands, such as Ajai Island, formed by soil deposition from the Ala River. During the rainy season (June to January), most of the swamp is flooded, drying out from February to May. The surrounding savanna woodland provides a stark contrast to the lush swamp areas.

Vegetation

The reserve boasts a diverse range of vegetation types, including:

Wooded Savanna and Grassland: Dominated by Loudetia-Eragrostis and Hyparrhenia grasses.

Swamp and Island Vegetation: The eastern sector features a mosaic of savanna forest, sandy plains, thick forest, rain forest, and open grass plains with Imperata grass. The western sector is covered in dense elephant grass (Pennisetum) with clumps of wild date plum (Phoenix).

Fauna

Ajai Wildlife Reserve is home to a variety of animal species, particularly during the dry season when animals migrate to the island in search of forage. Notable species include:

Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) along the Nile

Uganda Kob (Kobus kob ihomasi)

Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus)

Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus)

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)

Black and White Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza)

Baboon (Papio species)

Conservation Management

The reserve is managed with the help of guard posts at Ogoko, Iriemve, and Inde. However, as of 1980, the Iriemve and Inde posts were not in use. The small size of the reserve results in many animals moving in and out of the area, making them vulnerable to poaching. The northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), once found here, has not been seen since the war in 1979 and is presumed extinct in the reserve.

Tourism Facilities

Ajai Wildlife Reserve is managed by Uganda Wildlife Safaris Ltd., which offers:

Sport Hunting

Photographic Safaris

Visitors to the reserve can enjoy a unique combination of swamp, savanna, and forest environments, each offering distinct experiences and opportunities to observe a wide variety of wildlife.

Explore Ajai Wildlife Reserve and witness the breathtaking beauty and biodiversity of this unique Ugandan sanctuary.