East Madi Wildlife Reserve was established by Statutory Instrument of May 2002.
East Madi Wildlife Reserve (E. Madi WR) is situated in Adjumani District in North Western Uganda. It covers an area of 829 square kilometers.
Landscapes:
The wildlife reserve is highly scenic. It encompasses a stretch of the Albert Nile, the escarpment and hills above the Nile’s eastern side, and the rolling country of southern Adjumani District. E. Madi remains one of the wilderness areas of Uganda and has a high potential for tourism development.
Vegetation:
The vegetation of this WR is diverse, comprising medium altitude moist deciduous forest in the overlapping Zoka Forest, forest-savanna mosaic, Butyrospermum and Combretum savannas, and wetlands. The banks of the Nile are fringed by Khaya gallery forest, and there are extensive areas of Papyrus along the river.
Wildlife:
Formerly, East Madi was known for its large population of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and kob. The area suffered the intense poaching which engulfed the Country during the break down of security in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Some species however survived in low but significant numbers. Sitatunga is present in the swamps along the Albert Nile, and there are a few kob, waterbuck and hartebeest. Towards Zoka River there are signs of elephant and buffalo coming back to the WR. It can be assumed that the avifauna will be similar to that of Murchison Falls NP with time and good management.
Zoka Central Forest Reserve (CFR):
The Forest Department Biodiversity Survey in the forest indicated that Zoka Forest, which is located in this WR, has a fairly diverse flora and fauna, as indicated below:
Overall Conservation Importance: E. Madi WR is of national importance for biodiversity conservation.