Remarkable rhino tracking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

WILDLIFE | TOURISM

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located in Nakasongola district near Murchison Falls National Park, about 176km north of Kampala, Uganda's capital.

It is the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be found in their natural habitat.

Rhinos had become extinct in Uganda for about two decades due to wars in the 1970s and poachers who killed many of them to sell their supposedly very valuable horn.

In 2005, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was set up by Rhino Fund Uganda together with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to address the plight of the rhinos and ensure their safety, with a goal of eventually releasing them back into the wild.

Tracking rhinos takes about one to two hours, depending on the location of the rhinos and is done on foot unlike other typical game drives.

There are over 70 park rangers whose job is to ensure the general well-being and safety of the rhinos and assist tourists in spotting the rhinos during tracking. The tracking activity necessitates one to have closed shoes, long pants, water and insect repellent.

There are basic lodging facilities at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for those who might wish to spend a night on their way to or from Murchison Falls National Park.

Rhinos relaxing at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Tracking rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary can very well be added to any Murchison Falls National Park safari due to the proximity of the sanctuary to the national park.

Apart from rhino tracking, the sanctuary has also become increasingly popular with tourists for rhino trekking, shoebill trek, night walk, bird watching, nature walk, among other tour activities.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is protected by 24-hour security and a solar-powered electrical fence.

Proceeds from food and accommodation are directed towards the breeding programme of the rhinos, with a plan of releasing them into the wild.

Visiting the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a wonderful Uganda safari experience and it brings you in a very close and safe distance to these magnificent creatures.

A safari company in Uganda can put together a custom tailored itinerary to enable tourists fully explore the 70 square-kilometre sanctuary.