East Madi Wildlife Reserve, covering about 831 sq km in Adjumani District in Uganda’s Madi sub-region, was established in 2002 to protect a landscape of more than 50 mammal species, including lions, leopards and hyenas, alongside over 181 recorded bird species and 374 plant species. Like several of Uganda’s smaller reserves, East Madi sees relatively few visitors, and its establishment has also been the subject of a significant land-rights dispute with the local Apaa community.
The reserve at a glance
- About 831 sq km in Adjumani District, Uganda’s Madi sub-region, established in 2002
- Home to more than 50 mammal species, including lions, leopards and hyenas
- Over 181 recorded bird species, including the shoebill stork, and 374 recorded plant species
- Subject of a 2023 constitutional court ruling on land rights involving the local Apaa community
Wildlife and habitat
East Madi’s mix of woodland and savannah supports a genuine range of predators and grazers alongside its bird checklist, and the presence of the shoebill stork within the reserve places it alongside Uganda’s better-known wetland birding sites, even though far fewer visitors currently travel this far to see it.
A contested landscape
East Madi’s establishment as a wildlife reserve has been legally disputed by the Apaa community, who have long lived on and used this land. In 2023, Uganda’s constitutional court ruled in favour of the community’s claim to the land, a decision that reflects the wider, ongoing tension in parts of Uganda between conservation area boundaries and the rights of communities who inhabited the land before protected status was declared. Visitors to the area should be aware that the reserve’s status remains an evolving and sensitive issue locally.
Things to do
- Game drives in search of lions, leopards and hyenas
- Birdwatching, including for the shoebill stork
- Guided nature walks through the reserve’s woodland and savannah habitat
Practical information
- Located in Adjumani District, in Uganda’s northern Madi sub-region
- Tourist infrastructure is limited, and the reserve’s land status should be checked with a knowledgeable local operator before visiting
- Best combined with other West Nile or northern Uganda destinations given the distance involved
East Madi Wildlife Reserve offers a little-visited slice of northern Uganda’s wildlife, alongside a reminder of the region’s complex land history. Offmap Safaris can advise on current access before including it in an itinerary. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.
