Uganda’s rhinos in all national parks went extinct due to poaching for horns and encroachment by the locals for farming and settlement purposes. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was created by the Rhino Fund and the Uganda Wildlife Authority with the aim of protecting rhinos, breeding rhinos, and eventually reintroducing rhinos to the national parks where they once existed. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary accepts visitors to track rhinos at the sanctuary for a small fee. Click here to see mountain gorilla trekking safaris.

Where is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary located?

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is situated in Nakasongola district, 176 kilometers from Kampala. Driving to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary from Kampala takes approximately 3 hours. Click here to view our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour.

Rhino Tracking

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers a free-roam system to their white rhinos across the savannah, cool muddy swamps, and acacia woodlands. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only one in Uganda where the rhinos spend their day grazing on the thick shrubbery or resting under the cool shade of tall trees.

Ziwa Rhino tracking is done by an experienced and knowledgeable ranger who will lead you to their location and educate you on the rhino's habits and behaviors in their natural environment.

Tourists are allowed to position themselves from a safe six to seven meters away from the rhinos, and you will have plenty of picture opportunities. 

Depending on the Rhino location in the park, travelers may need to be driven to where the Rhinos are and then track the remaining distance on foot.

Although you may choose to trek Rhinos at any time of the day, the best time to explore is between 8 am and 10 am and from 4 pm to 6 pm. Make sure you have comfortable closed shoes, a long-sleeve shirt, and long trousers, and bring a lot of water. 

Shoebill Stork and Canoe Ride

Spotting a shoebill stork at a glance, the rare shoebill storks have a goofy charm because of their Dutch Clog-esque foot-long bill. Despite first impressions, the shoebill stork is an unassuming predator famous for feasting on baby crocodiles, huge fish species like tilapia, and Nile monitor lizards.

Wake up early in the morning and head out for a canoe ride in the adjacent beautiful swamp to see this prehistoric, nice-looking bird and view the beautiful sunrise over the Lugogo Swamp. Ziwa is among the few places in Uganda where you are guaranteed to see the endangered, rare shoebill stork. 

Birdwatching

Alongside rhino tracking, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers a number of other walks within its premises. For those who are keen on birdwatching, Ziwa offers four different trekking trails to choose from, which take tourists across the savannah, swamps, and woodlands.

Nocturnal Walks

Ziwa protects many nocturnal animals, and the best way to discover them is by taking a glimpse into a night walk between 8 pm and 11 pm. During the night nature walks, tourists are accompanied by an armed park ranger, who will make sure you are safe and also knowledgeable about everything, like flora and fauna.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary currently protects about 22 white rhinos, which travelers enjoy tracking on their rhino safaris in Uganda.

Ziwa rhino tracking is always done on your way to or from Murchison Falls National Park. Contact us for more information regarding the rhino tracking tour in Uganda.