Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda to watch rhinos moving freely in their natural habitat, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is situated in a short drive away from Murchison Falls national park near Para and it can be included on your safari itinerary to Murchison Falls national park and it is a perfect destination for visitors who wish to experience the Big Five while on Uganda Safari.
The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was established to protect rhinos which became extinct in the early 1980s after human encroachment, poaching and conflict. However, 20 years later in 2005, 6 rhinos were reintroduced to Uganda at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a 70 square kilometers private non-profit sanctuary established with the long term goal of getting the rhinos back into the wilderness of the Murchison Falls National Park. The sanctuary currently hosts 22 southern white rhinos including nine baby rhinos which is the biggest population for the first time in almost 30 years.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is not a Zoo as rhinos can move around freely in safety, the rhinos are protected 24 hours a day from poachers by an electrical fence and security personnel. The sanctuary is a fore runner in the campaign to restore the rhino population in Uganda.
Location of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located in Nakasongola District, 176 kilometers from Kampala. To get to the sanctuary from Kampala, it is a drive of about 2 hours.
How close can you get to the Rhinos in the sanctuary?
During your visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, visitors are allowed to track the rhinos and see them up close. You can approach the rhinos on foot, these animals are not that dangerous if you follow instructions.
The White Rhinos found in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary are gentle giants, approaching them on foo poses no danger to visitors. You will have the guidance and company of a sanctuary ranger who is knowledgeable about the behavior of the rhinos. Visiting Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers visitors a rare opportunity to see the Rhinos not from a vehicle but from close and on foot, you have some great and unusual photo opportunities as you encounter the white Rhinos.
Things to do in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Rhino Tracking
In Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, rhinos freely roam across the savannah, acacia woodlands and cool muddy swamps. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos on foot, visitors are escorted with an experienced and knowledgeable ranger who will guide you and escort you on their habits and behaviors in their natural habitat.
You will be positioned a safe six to seven meters away and you will get plenty of photo opportunities, rhino tracking can be done any time of the day however the best time to go is between 8 am to 10 am and 4 pm and 6 pm. Visitors should wear comfortable closed shoes, long trousers and carry plenty of water.
Shoebill Stork and Canoe ride
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is one of the few places in Uganda where it is guaranteed to see this beautiful endangered bird, during your visit in the sanctuary you will do a morning canoe ride in the adjacent swamp where to you will see this prehistoric looking bird and enjoy a beautiful sunrise over the Lugogo Swamp.
Bird watching
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a great destination for birds, visitors keen on bird watching there are four different trails which take you across the savannah, woodlands or swamps. Each habitat has various bird species living there, there is over 350 bird species in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and some of the birds you will spot include the pre-historic looking Shoebill Stork, the White Crested Turaco, the Giant Kingfisher, and the speckled breasted Woodpecker and many more.
The best time to go birding in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is in the early morning between 6 am and 8 am or the early evening between 4 pm and 6 pm.
How do you get to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary?
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is situated only 3 hours’ drive from Kampala which is almost a halfway stop on the way to Murchison Falls national Park and it is can be added to your Uganda Safari as part of a safari to Murchison Falls national park and chimpanzee trekking safari in Budongo safari.
Accommodation in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
In Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, there is decent accommodation such as Amuka Lodge offering excellent meals, has a swimming pool, affordable restaurants and self-contained luxury tents.
