Rhino tracking in Uganda is among the tourist activities done in Zziwa rhino sanctuary which is located in Nakasongola district. Zziwa rhino sanctuary is a place that was set aside to protect the endangered rhinos and in Uganda it is the perfect place to see the rhinos before or after a safari. It is a stopover point for many on the way to or from Murchison falls national park since the sanctuary is located on the way to the national park.
The sanctuary covers about 70 square kilometers and is a place where the rhinos are protected from poachers and bred so as to increase their numbers in Uganda. There are about 32 rhinos at the Zziwa rhino sanctuary which is also the only place where rhinos in the wild can be seen. Another place in Uganda where rhinos can be seen is at the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC).
An experience of visiting Zziwa rhino sanctuary involves tracking the rhinos on foot in the company of skilled park rangers and guides. The type of rhinos which can be seen during a rhino tracking experience in Uganda are white rhinos. Rhinos are part of the big 5 which are the most difficult wildlife species to hunt on foot and other animals which are part of the big 5 include elephants, lions, leopards and buffalos.
Rhino tracking in Uganda starts with a briefing by the park rangers before going in the wild to search for the rhinos. During the activity rangers and guides move with visitors around the sanctuary to search for the rhinos.
The white rhinos during the rhino tracking activity in Uganda can be seen from a close distance which is a perfect opportunity to take photos, observe the rhinos closely and also enjoy the natural surroundings.
The rhino tracking activity takes about 2 hours and involves both driving and walking. from the headquarters of the sanctuary to where the rhinos are, the visitors walk on foot. Gumboots are provided during the activity which takes place off the track so as to find the rhinos which requires the right foot gear.
The sanctuary is also an initiative that promotes conservation in Uganda through empowering the local community and educating them about the importance of wildlife conservation.
The rhino tracking experience at Zziwa rhino sanctuary used to be managed by the Rhino Fund of Uganda but it is currently managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) who put in effort to conserve the rhinos so that in future they can be reintroduced into the national parks around Uganda.
Other activities to do at Zziwa rhino sanctuary
A number of activities apart from rhino tracking are carried out around Zziwa rhino sanctuary including bird watching, guided nature walk, canoe safaris, wildlife viewing, night walks, shoebill experience among others.
Seeing the shoebill stork is another activity to enjoy during a tour at the Zziwa rhino sanctuary. This activity starts early in the morning and the sacntuary is among the few places where you can see the shoebill when visiting Uganda. Shoebill safari starts as early as 06:00 am and is done in the swamp area of the sanctuary where other bird species can also be spotted such as the open billed stork, African black crakes, crowned eagles, woodpeckers, white crested turaco, brown parrots, giant kingfishers, goliath herons, great egret, African fish eagles among others. The activity takes about 4 hours and is done by canoe. The rhino sanctuary is also considered one of the best places for bird watching in Uganda and can also be combined with a tour to Murchison falls national park.
During the night time when visiting Zziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking, you can also take part in a guided night walk. This activity is done around 10:00 pm and takes about 2 to 3 hours of walking in the bush with a ranger guide. Visitors during the night walks around the sanctuary also use spotlights to be able to view their surroundings and get closer to nature on foot. Night walks are also a good way to spot nocturnal wildife species at the destination.
Wildlife viewing is also done around the rhino sanctuary and the wildlife species which can be spotted during this activity include waterbucks, monkeys, squirrels, oribi, bush duikers and many more. Visiting the sanctuary is also an opportunity to get a big 5 safari experience in Uganda since you get to see the rhinos which among the big 5 are hard to see in the wild.
Apart from the rhinos at the sanctuary you can also see a variety of bird species as well as antelopes, monkeys among others.
cost of rhino tracking experience
Rhino tracking in Uganda costs 50 USD for nonresident adults while children are 25 USD. East African residents visiting Zzziwa rhino sanctuary are charged a fee of 40 USD while children are charged 20 USD.
East Africans are charged a fee of 30,000 Uganda shillings for adults and 10,000 Uganda shillings for children to visit Zziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking experience.
How to get to Zziwa rhino sanctuary
Zziwa rhino sanctuary is located along the Kampala-Gulu highway and it is about 3 hours drive from Kampala.
During a tour to Zziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking, you can choose to sleep at the sanctuary which offers accommodation as well as camping and another option would be continuing to Masindi.