Ziwa rhino sanctuary : Due to the high concentration of Southern White Rhinos found here in the wild, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only location in Uganda where tourists can see this elusive member of the Big Five. Before visiting Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, or Kidepo Valley National Park to see the remaining four of the “big five” animals lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards visitors can travel to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see these rare wildlife species.
The major activity at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is rhino trekking, where guests can follow these amazing animals through the underbrush for two to three hours on average. For protection, the rhino sanctuary employs around 65 qualified game rangers who will lead you as you engage in your safari activities.
A walk to see these magnificent beasts is the most fascinating Uganda safari experience worth investigating in Uganda because White Rhinos are not naturally vicious and aggressive like Black Rhinos. As long as you follow the tracking instructions, attacks are therefore rare. The sanctuary is home to over 40 different mammal species, including antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, and monkeys, to name a few. It also boasts enough bird species to be a haven for birders.
Ziwa is an excellent alternative for individuals who enjoy watching birds because there are four distinct paths you can take that will take you through savannahs, wooded areas, or swamps, each of which is a habitat for the numerous bird species that call this place home. The optimum times to go birding in the Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch refuge are in the early morning between 6am and 8am and in the late afternoon between 4pm and 6pm. The Meyer’s parrot, Brown parrot, Fork-tailed kingfisher, Gabar goshawk, purple-banded sunbird, Green-winged Ptyilia, Butler and Martial eagles, Rupell’s Long-tailed Starling, and Black-headed gonolek are some of the birds that may be seen at the sanctuary.
Visitors to the sanctuary will find dense acacia forest and the rhinos are free to roam across the savannah, acacia woodlands and cool muddy swamps, Uganda’s only rhinos spend their day grazing on the thick shrubbery or resting under the shade of tall trees. As herbivores, rhinos only consume vegetation, particularly the leaves of trees and bushes. They eat in the morning and evening, then rest under the trees during the day.
Other activities at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Other Ugandan activities that guests of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary might enjoy while travelling include the following:
Rhino tracking safari.
Rhino tracking safari is a special activity that gives you the chance to view rhinos feeding in their natural habitat while keeping a safe distance from them.
Birding tours.
The sanctuary is home to over 350 bird species and birders can have a full or half day time of birding either on a guided nature walk or on boat. You will be led by knowledgeable guides who specialize in seeing Shoebill and Blue-spotted storks.
Nature walks.
These can take a half day or full day as you hike through the sanctuary where you may encounter animals like the oribis, reed bucks, grey duikers, bush bucks, hartebeests, monkeys, butterflies and monitor lizards.
Canoe trip and the Shoebill Stork: Take a canoe trip early in the morning in the nearby swamp to observe this stork-like bird with a prehistoric appearance and to take in the stunning dawn over the Lugogo Swamp.
How to get to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary?
Most visitors to the Ziwa Rhino reserve arrive in Uganda by plane at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), then travel by road to the reserve. Additionally, travelers should be informed of Uganda’s most recent visa requirements.
By Road
Near the Nakitoma village trading centre, where you will split off, it is located around 3 hours’ journey from Kampala across a distance of 176 kilometres along the Gulu route. It is actually halfway to Murchison Falls National Park.
Entrance fee to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Only the $50 is required of those who wish to enter the Sanctuary.
Accommodation at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
When considering where to stay when visiting Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, visitors have a variety of alternatives, with lodging options ranging from high-end safari hotels to more affordable campsites.
After spending time with the rhinos, you can relax for the night at the Amuka safari lodge, which provides cosy accommodation, well set restaurant on site, and a swimming pool for visitors who just want to unwind.
Additionally, there are luxurious, self-contained tents where visitors can relax and stay the night.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary also allows campers to stay overnight, with the knowledgeable and armed guides on site keeping watch all night for your safety and security.
