Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is located in Nakasonngola district, in central Uganda, which is about 164 kilometers from Kampala the capital city via the Gulu highway. This is the only place in Uganda where tourists will be able to see Rhinos in the wild and it is known to be a home of 32 rhinos.
It was established in the year of 2005 with the main vision of building a sustainable rhinoceros population and relocate rhinos to their habitants in Uganda has well protected areas. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary worked so hard with an aim of increasing the number of Rhinos in the country. Ziwa Ranchers, which is a private, and a non- Profit Company that pays partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, manage Ziwa rhino sanctuary and Rhino fund Uganda.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary lies on a piece of land of 70square kilometers and it is enclosed with a 2 meter electric fence to reduce the continuous series of poaching activities and protect the sanctuary from predators and this was due to the prolonged civil wars and encroachment of rhinos that happened in 1982. This Sanctuary is a home of 300 bird species and 40 mammal species and reptiles such as; hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, monkeys. In the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, there are approximately 78 park rangers and security guards as they keep a 24-hour surveillance on the Rhinos.
Ziwa Rhino Trekking Experience.
Tourists participating in Rhino trekking will relate how there is no other place to view Rhinos in Uganda. The sanctuary begun its conservation journey with only six rhinos and four of them were translocated from Solio Ranch in Kenya and 2 were transferred from Disney Animal Kingdom in the United states of America in Florida. In addition, currently today, there are 22 White Rhinos where visitors will enjoy their Rhino trekking Safaris in the country, and get to see the Rhinos up close grazing in the Savannah grasslands of the sanctuary.
Ziwa Rhino trekking experience in the Ziwa Sanctuary costs 50 dollars for the non-residents and 40 dollars for the East African residents per person in Uganda. Most Tour operators like; Achieve Global Safaris normally combine with Rhino trekking in Ziwa with a wildlife Safari to Murchison Falls National Park which is located in the Northern part in Uganda.
Tourists can also combine tracking rhinos with other activities in the sanctuary such as; Shoebill trekking, Canoe riding, Bird watching and Hiking and nature walks. In order for the trekkers to enjoy comfortably the Rhino trekking experience, they are encouraged to wear a pair of hiking boots, an insect repellant for those who are allergic to bugs and mosquitoes, wear long trousers, sun scream, packed food or snacks in case one gets hungry, a bottle of mineral water in order to keep hydrated throughout the trip. This rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary will go for one and a half hours depending on the location of the Rhinos.
Best time to go for Rhino Trekking
The best time for tourists to go for Rhino Trekking in Rhino Sanctuary is in the morning from 8-10 am and in the evening from 4-6pm. However, this activity is available at any time that tourists prefer to trek rhinos in the Sanctuary. Rhino trekking is also best to be during the two dry seasons; from June to August and then December to February though visitors can still go Rhino trekking at any time of the month they choose to travel.
Where to stay while on a Safari
The Ziwa Rhino offers comfortable, decent, and affordable accommodation facilities to their visitors, which range from; Budget, Mid-Range, and Luxury. These lodge facilities include; Amuka Lodge, which was, built in the pristine savannah Woodlands, which are located in the heart of the Sanctuary, Ziwa Rhino lodge, Nkuruba Nature reserve, Zebi Eco lodge. Visitors are able to rest well depending on their choice on what lodge they like most and feel comfortable with. For example, guests who opt for Luxury lodge facilities are offered free WIFI, executive dining areas, swimming pool among others. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary also has good Banda’s and camping sites where visitors who opt for mid-range and budget lodging facilities can also enjoy.
How to get to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda.
Tourists can easily access the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary through a two and a half drive from Murchison Falls that is located 125 kilometers away from the sanctuary.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located 176 kilometers from Kampala city via the Gulu- Kampala Highway. Tourists heading to the Sanctuary will branch off from Nakitoma trading center, which is about 7.3 kilometers away from the Sanctuary. Therefore, travelers will need to continue and take a 14-minute drive from the Nakitoma trading center.
Furthermore, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is known to be the only Haven in the country where it is possible for visitors to trek Rhinos. Tourists who also wish to have a full safari experience of the big five in Uganda should combine a visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary with a wildlife tour to Murchison Falls National Park.
You are free to contact our tour operators such as Achieve Global Safaris and Rwanda Tour Explores to book a visit to the Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Sanctuary and get a chance to see these censorious endangered species up close in the wild.
