The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is one of the most important wildlife conservation projects in Uganda. It is one of the top 10 best tourist destinations in Uganda. The Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where tourists can visit the endangered White Rhinos trekking on foot and viewing them at a close range. Because of the sanctuary, Uganda is one of the few countries in the world where the Big 5 (Lions, Leopards, Rhinoceros, Elephants, and Buffaloes) can be spotted. The sanctuary is located in Nakasongola District along the Kampala – Gulu Highway just before reaching Murchison Falls National Park.
Because of the great variety of wildlife in Uganda in the early 20th century, the tourism industry thrived thus one major reason for the tourism boom was the sizeable population of Rhinos roaming freely in Kidepo and Murchison Falls National Parks. The Colonial government and Uganda’s first government after independence maintained tough policies against poaching of white Rhinos. Everything turned upside down because of insecurity in the late 70’s and early 80’s creating room for unprecedented poaching that eventually wiped out wild White Rhinos in Uganda’s National Parks.
However, everything was not lost due to human practises of poaching and encroachment and the Rhino Fund Uganda was formed in 2005 and worked in coordination with the Uganda Wildlife Authority with the goal of reintroducing White Rhinos to the national parks in the future. In order to realize their long term goal of introducing Rhinos back into the Uganda wild, it was thought that a sanctuary needed to be set up that would be used as safe breeding ground away from poachers.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is seated on a 7,000-hectare piece of land covered with savannah and woodland type of vegetation. This land is owned by one Ugandan citizen Captain Joe Roy who agreed to a land usage license to give rights to Rhino Fund a sole usage for 30 years’ renewable. However, due to unresolved conflicts, the sanctuary is currently in the management the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The Rhino Fund Uganda is no longer responsible for the Rhinos in Uganda.
The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary was launched with a start of about 6 Rhinos (2 from Disneyland America and 4 from the neighbouring Kenya) enclosed in land measuring 70 square Kilometres and protected by a 2-meter-high electric fences. Later after 4 years, the first rhino was born in March 2008, next year, the Rhino fund registered the birth of the first male rhino in approximately 30 years. The Rhino Fund named him Obama born of mother from USA and Father from Kenya, how interesting! Since then, 18 more rhinos were born on regular intervals with the last on in 2018. Currently the Rhino Fund has registered 33 rhinos on the sanctuary, mating is ongoing promising further addition to the group.
Due to the safe environment and excellent grazing grounds for the animals throughout the year, the sanctuary has attracted more animals like the antelopes hence boosting tourism in the area. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is now visited regularly by tourists given that it’s the only place to see wild Rhinos in Uganda.
Tourist attractions at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
On foot Rhino trekking
Rhinos are one of the Big 5 game together with the Lions, Buffaloes, Leopards and Elephants. This activity is a once in a life time to do while on your Uganda safari. Once you arrive at the Sanctuary, you will gather at the offices with your trekking gears that are closed shoes and long pants along with your bottled water and insect repellent. Meet trained knowledgeable armed ranger guides who will guide you through the bush to where the rhinos will be located at that particular time. Rhinos are herbivores and they feed on only vegetation especially foliage of trees and bushes. They spend their morning and evening hours feeding and during the day resting under the trees. After meeting the ranger guide, drive to where the Rhinos are ought to be before you start the bush trek. As you trek through the bush, you will get an opportunity to find and watch the endangered rhinos either grazing or resting depending on your time of visit. Trekking time is between 1 to 2 hours depending on the location of the Rhino. Trekking is available all day although its best recommended to trek from 8 am to 10 am or from 16hours to 18hours.
Shoebill trek and Canoe ride
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is also swampy and it’s a habitat of the most sought bird in Uganda, the shoebill stork. The sanctuary is one of those few places in Uganda where a tourist is guaranteed of seeing of seeing the stocks. Taking a canoe ride through the swamp not only gives an opportunity to see the shoebill stock but also a chance to experience the fascinatingly incredible sunrise over the Lugogo swamp. To be able to experience the sunrise on a canoe ride and to able to see the shoebill stock, one has to be at the site as early as 6 am, going on to about 10am.
Night walks
Ziwa Rhino sanctuary has many nocturnal animals and a guided night walk in the sanctuary is also an interesting activity that a tourist ought to experience because the night walks introduce you to night sounds and sensations you never heard of. Walking gears for a night walk include; long pants, closed shoes, insect repellent and flashlight. This activity would take about 2 hours and its best done form 20 hour to 23 hours.
Birding
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a place not to be missed for bird lovers. It has over 300 bird species with about 4 bird trails covered with woodlands, swamp and savannah. Tourists are able to see some of the birds during the bird walk. The best time for bird watching is 7am to 9 am and 16 hours to 18 hours, taking about 2 hours.
Guided nature walks
for nature lovers, the sanctuary is a home to a variety of animals, birds and reptiles. During a nature walk, you will be guided by trained ranger guides who are knowledgeable about flora and fauna found in the sanctuary. Walk through the lush bush with sounds and smells of different species. Recommended time for this activity are 7hours and 16hours taking about 2 hours.
Tourist activities at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
Although most tourists come to Uganda with the intention of seeing the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park on Uganda safari, more adventurous ones have since discovered the treasure that lies within the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Visiting Ziwa Rhino sanctuary has become a must for those who wish to experience a full African Safari in Uganda. Apart from tracking the Rhinos, there are several other activities that make the sanctuary attractive to tourists. They include.
Rhino tracking – Rhino tracking is the man activity in the sanctuary and is a good warm up before continuing to the Murchison Falls national park for even greater activities. The activity involves a 1 – 2 hour guided walk or drive within the sanctuary. Once you reach near the Rhinos with a car, the guides will take you on foot 7 meters close to the Rhinos. You will enjoy watching these endangered animals continuously feeding on fresh vegetation without bothering about your presence. Tracking the Rhinos costs $ 45 for international visitors.
Birding – Another prominent activity which open to tourist while at the sanctuary is bird watching. This activity can take the whole day and involves guided walks, driving and a boat cruise through the four birding trails. As you move through the swamps, woodlands and the savannah plains you will be able to spot 350 species of bird. Most of them come from the nearby Murchison Falls National Park while others are residents. The top species to look out for is the rare but highly sought out Shoebill Stork. You can also spot the African Black Crake, African Black Headed Oriole, African Citril, African Crowned Eagle, African Darter, African Fish Eagle, African Golden Breasted Bunting, Blue Spotted dove, Booted Eagle, Broad Billed Roller, Bronze Manikini, Brown Backed Srub Robin, Brown Crowned Tchagra, Brown Parrot, Brown Throated Wattle Eye, Cardinal Woodpecker, Giant Abdim’s Stork, Speckled Breasted Woodpecker, White Crested Turaco and many others.
Nature Walks: Walking through the Sanctuary will reward visitors with beautiful scenery of green tropical vegetation and bushes. The great biodiversity in the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is a great taste of the things to come during your Uganda Safari. The Rhinos are the main attractions but the sanctuary has a sizeable number of butterflies, reptiles, primates and mammals. The other mammals roaming the sanctuary are the Bush Duiker, Waterbuck, Ground Squirrels, Oribi, Hartbeest, Mongoose, Grey Duiker, Reedbuck and Bush Bucks. Among the small primates found in the sanctuary are the common Vervet Monkey and the black/ white Colobus Monkeys. During your nature walk, look out for the large lizards, pythons, insects and numerous species of butterflies.
Night walks: Enjoying your time at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary does not need to end during the day – It can go on well through the night. A guided night walk will allow you discover new sounds under beautiful moonlight in the Africa wilderness. As you move through the night with knowledgeable guides, prepare to encounter some of the sanctuary’s nocturnal resident animals, bats and birds.
Entry fees for Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
To be able to access the Ziwa rhino sanctuary, one is required to pay entrance fees at the sanctuary. These fees differ depending on nationalities
The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary allows visitors to do Rhino tracking at the sanctuary and a small fee is charged. Here are the rates for the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 2021/2022.
Adults Children
| Foreign non-residents – $50 | $25 |
| Foreign residents – $40 | $20 |
| East African Citizens – 30,000 Uganda shillings | 10,000 Uganda shilling |
Rules and Guidelines while tracking Rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Like any organized and reputable establishment, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has got set rules that need to be strictly adhered to by visitors. There is a fine of $100 for those who deliberately refuse to abide by the rules. The Guides have full authority to end any activity abruptly if they feel that certain rules are not being followed: Visitors should follow these rules while at the sanctuary:
- Follow instructions given to you by the Sanctuary guides at all times. Feel free to ask them any questions regarding the rules and the animals.
- Report to the Rhino Fund Reception any illegal wildlife kills along the road.
- Any unguided/unauthorized tour activity is considered illegal. This is especially so if it is done beyond 17:30 pm.
- For your own safety and that of the animals, any attempts at feeding or touching them are forbidden.
- Littering is strictly prohibited within the Park. Any litter should be properly disposed in the available bins.
- Cycling and jogging cannot be done anywhere and at any time within the Sanctuary.
- While at the entrance, declare any firearms, GPS, Pets, Drones or any other item that may cause suspicion.
- Unnecessary noise of any sort within the sanctuary is strictly not allowed. While with the animals, switch off your cell phones or simply put them Silent mode.
Packing list for Rhino Tracking
Like any safari or wildlife tour, you need to prepare in advance to have a memorable time while at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. You need to start with the basics like a valid passport, visa and yellow fever vaccination card. After the essentials are covered, you need to ensure that you move with your travel itinerary, local currency notes and an emergency local network shim card. Try to secure a medical and travel insurance before traveling to Uganda.
Tracking Rhinos is less demanding compared to other wildlife activities in Uganda like Gorilla Tracking. The dressing code can be simple and a simple light shirt and pant that are of dull color. Pack a sweater or waterproof rain jacket because it could rain at any moment. Move with simple comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses and a hat during the dry season.
Apart from the items already mentioned, also think about bringing an insect repellent, pain killers, vitamins, anti-malarial drugs, anti-allergy drugs, hand sanitizers, tooth brush, tooth paste, Vaseline, hair shampoo, lip balm, flash lights and a camera (for memories).
