About Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda.

This sanctuary spans an approximate land surface area of 70 square kilometers in the central part of Uganda. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was set up in 2005 to facilitate the re-introduction of rhinos that had been locally extinct. Their extinction in the 1980s was due to poaching, armed human conflicts, and poor management of their habitat in Uganda. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary first received six southern white rhinos from Kenya and the United States of America. The original goal of the establishment was to build a sustainable population of rhinos before being relocated to the wild in Uganda’s protected areas. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is managed jointly by Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch Limited and the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is still the only place in Uganda where you can track and observe rhinos in the wild. This is because the rhinos are adapted to human presence. The place is currently under 24-hour security with over 70 trained armed rangers. Additionally, there is a 6-foot-tall electric fence around its perimeter. With such high-level security, they have been bred and protected from poachers and natural predators for almost 2 decades. Visitors can enjoy watching them during the daytime throughout the year. Besides rhinos, over 40 wild animals live in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. These include hippopotamuses, antelopes, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and birds to mention but a few. Visitors can also enjoy various services and amenities here like a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, accommodation facilities, etc.

What to do in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary?

Though Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is known for having the highest population of rhinos in Uganda, numerous tourist activities can be done here. These include the following.

Rhino Tracking Tour

This is the major activity for visitors to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary seeking an authentic experience in the savannah ecosystem. The rhino tracking adventure is an opportunity for you to walk on foot with the guidance of a knowledgeable ranger guide. The guide gets you as close as 6 meters away from the rhinos. Upon encountering these herbivores, you will observe their unique behaviors and also have a photo moment for the time you spend close to them.

Birdwatching Excursion

With over 300 bird species, visitors and ornithologists have a perfect place to spot these colorful beings in the wild. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has 4 bird trails and a guided birding tour will bring you close to the bird species. These species include Ross’s turaco, common bulbul, shoebill stork, saddle-billed stork, red-winged sterling, cattle egret, African fish eagle, and African blue flycatcher among others.

Guided Nature Walk

A guided nature walk is done during the day with the guidance of a ranger guide and offers visitors a chance to walk in the wilderness. Visitors can encounter plenty of wildlife species such as hippos, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, and duikers among others. A guided nature walk will also ensure you get exceptional views of the savannah ecosystem. You can also encounter more bird species including the brown-throated wattle eye, broad-billed roller, and others.

Guided Night Walk

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers guided night walks, an activity for visitors to explore the place for a duration of 2½ hours. The night walk starts at around 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm with the guidance of a ranger guide and a spotlight torch. These walks offer clear views of the night sky in the wilderness. Visitors on night walks have a massive chance to spot nocturnal animal species like leopards or aardvarks.

How to reach Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary?

By road, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is about 164 kilometers north of Kampala capital city. The best mode of transportation is by road. You can hire a vehicle through a registered tour company like Standard Safaris. We offer a wide range of vehicles including drones, buses, 4X4 safari cars, and others. Traveling to Ziwa by road will give you artistic and scenic views of the countryside and its landscape.

What to pack for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary?

To have a successful exploration of the rhinos in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you should consider packing the following items.

• Light clothes composed of a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of trousers
• Broad-brimmed hat to wear during a sunshiny day
• Sunscreen for your delicate skin against ultraviolet sun rays
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent, especially to protect your body from mosquito bites
• Camera to take photos of the rhinos and other wildlife species
• Binoculars to spot wildlife species from far away
• Comfortable walking shoes to move on rough terrain
• Refillable water bottle to have enough drinking water for the tour.
• Snacks to sustain your energy levels
• Waterproof jacket or raincoat for rainfall