Ziwa Sanctuary Rhinos

Ziwa Sanctuary Rhinos: Nestled in the rolling savanna of Nakasongola District, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary stands as Uganda’s only refuge for the majestic white rhino, a living testament to conservation, resilience, and hope. Once wiped out in the wild, rhinos were reintroduced here in 2005 through a strong partnership between the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rhino Fund Uganda.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary currently harbors about 48 rhinos, which tourists have a chance to get close to when they visit the place. Tourists who visit the rhinos also get to know a lot of information about these animals, for example, a rhino giving birth after 15 to 16 months and females reproducing every 2 to 5 years, to name a few.

Cost of seeing Ziwa rhinos

Southern white rhinos are highly protected in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary because they are few. The sanctuary is well fenced to protect the animals from being harmed by the local people who stay around the area. These rhinos can only be visited by tourists who have paid entrance fees, which is $60 for foreign non-residents, $50 for foreign residents, and UGX 50,000 for citizens of East African member states.

Children’s rates are $30 for foreign non-residents, $25 for foreign residents, and UGX 15,000 for citizens of East African member states. The entrance to this sanctuary can be done at the gate using a card, cash, or mobile money transfers. Tourists are not allowed to access the sanctuary for trekking after 6 pm.

Tracking Ziwa Sanctuary Rhinos

Ziwa Sanctuary Rhinos allows tourists to trek the southern white rhinos on foot with the help of armed ranger guides. Trekkers are first taught the rules and regulations of the activity and given walking boots and sticks. The armed ranger guides walk them around the sanctuary looking for where the rhinos could be. Locating the southern white rhinos of Ziwa takes a few hours, and when spotted, the tourists are allowed to come close to them. Rhinos have poor eyesight which allows tourists get close to them but they have a good sense. Near the rhinos, tourists can ask ranger guides as many questions as they want to learn more about these mammals.

When to track the southern white rhinos of Ziwa Sanctuary

Since southern white rhinos are tracked on foot, the activity is enjoyable when the tracks are dry and easier to walk through. This can be possible during the dry season when there is little or no rainfall and plenty of sunshine. June to September and December to February are when tourists will find dry and passable walking trails and vegetation cover that is short, giving clear views of the rhinos.

Tourists who travel during the low season can still trek the rhinos of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary because the place is open for visits all throughout the year. March to May and October to November have bad weather characterized by too much rainfall and little sunshine. The walking trails might get muddy and difficult to pass through, and when the vegetation is tall, tourists might not have a clear view of the rhinos.

Other things to do on a safari to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Birdwatching ziwa

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is another great birding destination in Uganda; the sanctuary has over 300 bird species. These can be spotted in different areas of the sanctuary, with the most sought-after bird being the rare shoebill. Other species are the grey crowned crane, African fish eagle, pied kingfisher, African grey hornbill, African jacana, African pygmy kingfisher, marabou stork, white egret, and red-billed oxpeckers.

Shoebill trekking

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is one of the few places where bird lovers can see the rare shoebill on a safari in Uganda. The activity is carried out in the Lugogo swamp, and tourists search for the birds using a boat. Chances of seeing the shoebill on this swamp are very high, and other species which can be spotted during the activity include the giant forest kingfisher, African jacana, great egret, and pied kingfisher to mention but a few.

Visiting Murchison Falls National Park.

Tourists on a safari to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary can visit the popular Murchison Falls National Park which is not far away from the park. They can take part in different park activities including game drives, boat cruises, chimpanzee trekking, visiting the top of the falls, and nature walks among others.