Top Rhino Tracking Safari in Uganda

Embark on the Ultimate Rhino Adventure: Top Rhino Tracking Safari in Uganda – Murchison Falls National Park

If your heart yearns for an unparalleled Rhino tracking safari, Uganda emerges as the ideal destination. Rewind two decades, and Rhinos were on the brink of extinction in Uganda. Fast forward to 2002, witness the resurrection of Rhinos with the establishment of the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary—a 70-square-kilometre reserve.

Collaboratively curated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rhino Fund Uganda, and Ziwa Rangers Limited, this sanctuary became the haven for Southern White Rhinos, generously donated by the European Union, Disney World, and Kenya in 2005. Nestled in Nakasongola district within the Kafu River Basin, 170 kilometres northwest of Kampala, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is home to 22 Southern White Rhinos, with twelve born in the wild of Uganda.

The sanctuary’s grand vision extends beyond its boundaries, aspiring to reintroduce these magnificent creatures to Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park. A testament to conservation efforts, the Rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary are safeguarded by an unwavering team of 80 park rangers and security guards, ensuring a 24-hour watch over these gentle giants.

Intruders are kept at bay by a formidable 2-metre electric fence encircling the 70-square-kilometre sanctuary. While the Southern White Rhinos thrive under the sanctuary’s protection, the Northern White Rhino, once indigenous to Uganda, teeters on the edge of extinction, with only five individuals remaining in captivity.

For those seeking an encounter with wild Rhinos in Uganda, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the exclusive destination. Upon arrival, a ranger guide briefs visitors on the nuances of Rhino trekking and the imperative need to adhere to safety instructions. Given the potential aggressiveness of Rhinos, it becomes paramount to heed the ranger’s guidance throughout the trek.

Depending on the Rhinos’ location, visitors may need to drive closer before commencing the trek. The ranger guide imparts invaluable insights into Rhino behavior and proper conduct during the trek. The Rhino tracking experience can be undertaken in your vehicle (a regular car in dry seasons, or a 4WD in the wet), or you can opt to hire a vehicle from the sanctuary at a fee.

Encountering the Rhinos on foot may sound daring, but their accustomed presence to armed anti-poacher rangers ensures a safe and mesmerizing experience. Visitors are granted a maximum of one hour in the Rhinos’ presence, with opportunities to explore multiple family groups if they are in proximity.

Beyond the White Rhinos, the sanctuary hosts an array of wildlife within the 6-foot-tall electric fence, including leopards, hippos, crocodiles, bushbucks, and Oribi. For bird enthusiasts, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a birdwatcher’s paradise, boasting 350 bird species, including the giant kingfisher, Ross’s Turaco, and the iconic shoebill.

Located 176 kilometres from Kampala in Nakasongola district, the journey to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary takes approximately three hours. The sanctuary charges a nominal fee for Rhino tracking, offering an unparalleled adventure in Uganda’s heartland.

Whether Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is your primary destination or a captivating stopover en route to Murchison Falls National Park, Trek Africa Expeditions stands ready to meticulously plan your Rhino tracking safari in Uganda. Contact us to unlock the gates to this extraordinary wildlife encounter.