Ziwa rhino sanctuary is the only safari destination where rhinos live. It is in Nakasongola district, in the northern part of Kampala, along Gulu highway. Rhinos were going extinct in Uganda’s national parks because people were moving into their environment and killing them for their horns. To keep white rhinos from going extinct, the Rhino Fund was set up. It was working with Uganda Wildlife Authority to get white rhinos back into their existance. Ziwa rhino sanctuary was opened in 2005 with six white rhinos. It is now home to over 32 southern white rhinos, making it one of the most famous destinations for safaris in Uganda. On a Uganda safari tourists can do a lot of intriguing activities at Ziwa rhino sanctuary such as;
Activities to do in Ziwa rhino sanctuary.
Rhino tracking.
The preferred safari activity to do at Ziwa rhino sanctuary, which brings in a lot of travelers, is tracking rhinos. Rhino tracking at Ziwa rhino sanctuary takes about an hour to two hours and involves travelers walking around the sanctuary looking for rhinos. Once you find them, you can watch endangered white rhinos eat, rest, and do other things like their daily activities, which gives you a chance to learn more about them and take photos and record videos of the moment. Rhino tracking safari at Ziwa rhino sanctuary permit costs 50 USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 40 USD per person for a foreign resident, and 30,000 UGX per person for East African citizen.
Bird watching.
Over 350 bird species have been observed in Ziwa rhino reserve, which makes it one of the best bird watching safari destination in Uganda. At Ziwa rhino sanctuary, you can watch various and colourful bird species during a nature walk, a canoe ride and among others. An experienced bird guide will lead you along different birding trails and help you to spot different bird species, such as the elusive shoebill stork, African Black Crake, White-crested Turaco, giant kingfisher, Palm nut vultures, African cuckoo, African black crake, barbets, Abdim’s stork, Ross’s Turaco and among many others.
Canoe ride.
Canoeing is another delightful safari activity to do at Ziwa rhino sanctuary. During a canoe ride, travelers can explore Lugogo wetland. At Ziwa rhino sanctuary, canoe rides are best done very early in the morning, and they take about four hours. During the boat ride, you will be able to see different animals and water birds, such as the prehistoric shoebill stork, speckled-breasted woodpecker, Palmnut vulture, giant kingfisher, white crested turaco, and others.
Shoebill canoe ride
The canoe ride takes place on a 10-kilometre stretch of the Lugogo wetland, offering visitors a chance to observe a variety of wildlife and bird species. Among the highlights are the elusive shoebill stork, speckle-breasted woodpecker, palm nut vulture, giant kingfisher, white-crested turaco, open-billed stork, great egret, Egyptian goose, African fish eagle, and goliath heron, among others. The community provides canoes for the ride, and in exchange for their services, they receive payment, thus becoming integral to the conservation partnership.
Guided Nature Walk.
A guided nature walk is an exciting safari activity to do at Ziwa rhino sanctuary. During this safari activity, tourists can walk around the sanctuary with an experienced ranger guide. At Ziwa rhino sanctuary, you can go on guided nature walks either during the day or at night. During these walks, you can encounter with different wildlife species, such as waterbucks, reedbucks, mongoose, duikers, bushbucks, primates like vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, large lizards, insects, colourful butterflies, nocturnal animals, birds, bats, enjoy the beautiful moonlight, listen to sweet bird sounds. This activity offers visitors an exciting chance to step out of the car and discover the sanctuary on foot. A guided nature walk begins with a briefing and takes place in the savannah plains, accompanied by a ranger guide who will share insights and assist you in spotting various animals, including Oribi, bushbucks, hippos, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, leopards, duikers, and a variety of bird species.
Best time to visit Ziwa rhino sanctuary.
You can go to Ziwa rhino sanctuary at any time of the year, but the best time is during the dry season, which is from June to September, December to February. During the dry season, the sanctuary gets less rain, so the paths for nature walks, birding, and trails are always dry and easy to navigate. This is in contrast to the rainy season, when the trails are muddy and slippery, making tracking hard.
How to get to Ziwa rhino sanctuary.
Ziwa rhino sanctuary is found in Nakasongola district on the way to Murchison falls national park and can be accesses by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala along Gulu highway to Nakasongola district which takes about 3 hours’ drive.
Where to stay at Ziwa rhino sanctuary.
There are limited accommodation facilities where visitors can stay during the Uganda safari at Ziwa rhino sanctuary including Amuka safari lodge, Ziwa rhino lodge among others.
There are intriguing safari activities in Ziwa rhino sanctuary, like rhino tracking, bird watching, guided nature walks, canoeing and among others. These can be mixed with safari activities in Kibale national park to make unforgettable safari memories. Contact us if you want to know more about Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, or check out our website to learn about our different trip packages and book yourself the wonderful package that will give you the best memories ever.
What to bring for your safari at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• When selecting hiking shoes, prioritize comfort to ensure your feet remain dry while tracking rhinos, enjoying nature walks, and birdwatching.
• A hat and sunglasses are essential for shielding yourself from the intense sun while enjoying a nature walk or tracking rhinos, particularly in the dry season when rainfall is minimal.
• Insect repellent effectively shields you from biting insects, including safari ants, tsetse flies, and mosquitoes, among others.
• A waterproof rain jacket, designed to shield you from the rain should the weather turn wet.
• The flashlight is intended for use during the night walk at the sanctuary.
• A pair of binoculars will be utilized for birding to identify the type of bird when it is flying in the air.
• The camera holds significant importance as it will be utilized for recording and capturing photos during your safari. However, it is recommended to use cameras with minimal flash to avoid disturbing or scaring the rhinos.
• Lightweight garments
