Matheniko Game Reserve, also known as Matheniko Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Karamoja subregion of northeastern Uganda. It is one of Uganda’s most endangered conservation areas and ranks fifth among the most threatened protected zones.
Matheniko is part of the Karamoja protected area strip, which stretches from Kidepo National Park through Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and Bokora. The northeastern boundary of the reserve is the Uganda-Kenya border. The reserve sits at an elevation of 1,070 to 1,830 meters (3,510 to 6,000 feet) above sea level.
Matheniko Game Reserve is located in the semi-desert savannah and shrubland of the Somalia-Masai Ecoregion. The reserve receives an average of 670 millimeters of rain per year, with the highest rainfall occurring in April, May, and November.
To promote tourism, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is working to improve infrastructure, especially roads and accommodation facilities.
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Wildlife in Matheniko Wildlife Reserve
Matheniko Game Reserve is home to rare animals, including the lesser kudu, roan antelope, Bright’s gazelle, and ostriches. These species are only found in this area and Kidepo Valley National Park.
The Loporokocho marsh has a high concentration of wildlife. The reserve is also home to cheetahs and different types of antelope, such as Uganda kobs, reedbucks, topis, waterbucks, common duikers, blue duikers, mountain reedbucks, and lesser kudu.
Other animals in the reserve include serval cats and striped hyenas.
Birds in Matheniko Game Reserve
Matheniko is also home to different bird species. These include the Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeon, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Dusky Turtle Dove, and Lemon Dove.
Other birds found in the reserve include the Mountain Yellow Warbler, Alpine Chat, Thick-billed Honey Guide, Black-throated Wattle-eye, African Hill Babbler, and Grey Cuckoo-Shrike.
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