Ziwa Rhino Trekking Experience in Uganda | Premium Africa Safaris

Ziwa Rhino trekking involves observing rhinos in their natural habitat. The Uganda rhino tracking experience can only be done in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Location & Travel Details About Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Ziwa is located in Nakasongola District in Nakitoma Village.

The sanctuary was established in 2005 when rhinos no longer existed in Uganda due to poaching.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is currently occupying 70 sq. km of the land area.

Drive time: Estimated to take between 3 and 4 hours along the Kampala-Gulu Highway.

Number of Rhinos at Ziwa

The government brought 6 white Rhinos from the USA and Kenya.

The Rhinos have now increased to about 60, and they are very much protected by the Rhino Fund Uganda.

Ziwa Sanctuary is the only place in East Africa where you can see the rhinos in the wild on foot.

There are two rhinoceros species, the northern and southern sub-groups.

Not only rhinos, but also Ziwa has a variety of bird and other wildlife species. These include hippos, antelopes, monkeys that can be sighted during tracking, and other activities to be done at the sanctuary.

Essentials for Ziwa Rhino Trekking Experience

Travel insurance, local SIM cards, Local currency notes, Travel itinerary, Snacks and drinks, Identification document that is to say visa, passport, national ID, yellow fever card.

Long pants, Insect repellent, Camera, sunglasses, and hut.

Cost of Ziwa Rhino Trekking

Rhino trekking costs $60 and $30 for non-resident adults and children, respectively.

Foreign residents on Ziwa Rhino Trek are charged US $ 50 per person for an adult and US Dollars 25 per person for children.

For East African member states, costs UGX 50,000 for adults and UGX 15,000 for children.

Children above 6 years are allowed to do rhino tracking since the activity is guided by skilled ranger guides.

Guidelines for Rhino Tracking

Report illegal wildlife kills along the road to Rhino Fund reception.

Follow instructions given to you by the guides at all times.

Cycling and jogging is not allowed in the sanctuary.

Unnecessary noise in the sanctuary is not allowed. One must switch off the phone or put in silent.

Firearms are not allowed in the sanctuary and must be left at the gate.

Littering is not allowed. One should dispose of waste in the available bin at the sanctuary.

Feeding and touching the animals is not allowed.

Unguided nature walk is considered illegal.

The trek with rhinos can last for about 1 to 2 hours and involves walking with an expert.

Other Amazing Activities to Do in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers more than guided walks/treks with rhinos. Here are additional experiences to enjoy on Uganda safaris in Ziwa;

1. Shoebill and canoe ride. Explore the shoebills in depth inside Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on a canoe ride on Lugogo Swamp. The Lugogo wetland is 10 km wide and lies inside the famous Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Beyond the shoebill stork, expect to find other interesting birds such as the giant kingfishers, white-crested turacos, grey-crowned cranes, Abyssinian ground hornbills, and African fish eagle. The majority of the birds can be spotted on birding excursions along the 4 designated trails.

2. Nature walks: Ziwa Rhino offers both day and nighttime nature walks. The guided walks involve navigating through the wilderness while searching for the sanctuary’s diverse wildlife.

Best time to go for Ziwa Rhino Trekking

The best time to do rhino tracking is during the dry season.

Rhino tracking can take between 1 and 2 hours, and the best time to track is during the morning time, that is between 8:00 hr and 10:00 hr, and evening between 16: 00 hr and 18:00 hr.

It is difficult to track rhinos throughout the day because they intend to hide not to be observed and to avoid the heat of the sun on their body and. Thus, the best time is morning and evening.

Accommodation

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has a variety of accommodation for those interested in staying in the sanctuary. It caters to families, groups, couples, and travelers.

Accommodation includes: lodges like Amuka Safari Lodge, campsites, and guest houses which cater for both luxury, mid-range, and low budget travelers.

In conclusion, not only rhino tracking, but there are a lot of activities that are done in Uganda, and these include: game viewing in Murchison Falls National Park, lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, & Budongo Forest.