Ajai Game Reserve is a small wildlife protected area named after a local chief called ‘Ajai’. Chief Ajai declared the area a game sanctuary with the intent to protect ‘unique wildlife’, the White Rhinos – now extinct.
In 1965 after the death of the Chief, the sanctuary was officially gazetted as Ajai Widlife Reserve. It was then under the management of the former Game Department with the purpose of strengthening the protection of the White Rhinos.
In the late 1960s, over 100 white rhinos were translocated into Ajai Wildlife Reserve from outlying areas of West Nile and the WWF funded an anti-poaching project there in 1962. However, during the 1970s to 1980s period of civil unrest of the northern corridors of Uganda, the Rhino population and other big game species had been greatly reduced and the rhinos eventually became extinct – with the last Rhion having been sighted in 1979. The good news is that there are plans underway to return the white rhino to this historic wilderness area once again.
Getting to Ajai Game Reserve.
Ajai lies on the western bank of the White Nile, approximately 40 km/25 mi east of Arua district. There is two (02) ways of getting to Ajai game reserve from Kampala/Entebbe. Depending on your budget, and available time for travel, you could either fly or drive.
Flying to Ajai game Reserve: While this is somewhat expensive, its is the fastest way of getting to Ajai game reserve from Entebbe.
Eagle air operates scheduled flight five times a week; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday out of Entebbe International Airport to Arua. From Arua to Ajai is approximately 57km/35 mi by road – Realm Africa Safaris™ will have someone waiting to transfer you to Ajai wildlife reserve.
Driving to Ajai Game Reserve from Entebbe: The journey from Entebbe to Ajai wildlife reserve by road could last roundabout ±9-hours through a distance of about 460km/ 285 mi from Entebbe.
We recommend breaking the drive with an overnight stay at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Here you can track the white rhinos on-foot or go on a shoebill tracking canoe tour in the famous Lugogo Swamp.
Alternatively, you could opt to continue and stay overnight at Budongo eco-lodge tucked in the woody Budongo forest. The Forest is home to a small community of chimpanzee. While staying here you can take part in chimpanzee tracking or chimpanzee habituation. * Unlike chimpanzee tracking, habituation is usually done in the low season months.
The other way to break the journey from Entebbe to Ajai Wildlife Reserve is to visit Murchison Falls National Park. Here there is quite a list of things to see & do – therefore you might consider planning to spend at least – 2 Days in Murchison falls National park before proceeding to Ajai Wildlife Reserve which anyway is less interesting compared to spending longer in Murchison falls National Park.
Our Professional advice: (You don’t have to take it).
While Ajai game reserve is off-the traditional tourist radar (we call it off-beat) it can be an exciting place to visit especially for travellers looking for a non-touristic destination to visit. However, if you are a ‘tourist’ type of traveller seeking to tick off quite a few animal sightings, we do recommend choosing Murchison Falls National Park as the main part of your tour, and only add Ajai to your tour.
Where to stay
Apparently, there is no accommodation available at the reserve. Tourist who visit Ajai Wildlife Reserve either connect to Murchison Falls National Park (±2 hours drive) or Gulu Town (4-hours away) for overnight.
