Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Wildlife Ranch is a 3-hour drive located in Nakasongola 176km from Kampala on Gulu Highway towards Murchison Falls National Park. The sanctuary is the only place to view the Rhinos in Uganda.

Rhinos became extinct in Uganda during the 1980’s due to poaching and war. Through the Rhino Fund Uganda in 1997, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary project was founded with an aim of re introducing the Rhinos back into Uganda’s National Parks.

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in 2005 saw the first four Rhinos from Kenya  and two from Disney Animal Kingdom (USA) were introduced. This was aided by Rhino Fund Uganda and Uganda Wildlife Authority. Currently the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is home to 22 southern white Rhinos and a future prospect is to release them back into the Wild.  The Sanctuary has other various projects which include; Education projects, Volunteer Projects, Animal Rehabilitation and Community Projects.

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary covers a 7000 hectare piece of suitable land covered by savannah and native woodlands.  Upon arrival at the Sanctuary, you will go through a registration session thereafter a ranger guide will be allocated to you.

You will then drive with the ranger guide till you get to the foot trails where the On foot Rhino trekking will start. It takes between 1-2 hours depending on how far the Rhinos have moved in search for food. The ranger guide will aid in spotting the Rhinos and explain more about their way of life.

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is popular as a stopover on the way to Murchison Falls National Park and other activities include; Shoebill Trek and Canoe Ride that takes about 4 hours with an opportunity to  view the rare shoebill stork and other water birds. During the Canoe Ride, look out for the beautiful sunset over lugogo swamp.

Bird Watching over 350 bird species are recorded at the sanctuary with 4 bird trails in the sanctuary.

Guided Nature Walks both day and night are also offered through the lush bush. Get to experience the geography, fauna and flora of the sanctuary on the 2 hour walk.  Look out for game such as bushbuck, duikers, oribi, waterbucks, reedbucks, hartebeests among others.  And for the night walk you just might be gifted with the elusive Leopard sighting!

At the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, accommodation facilities include the guest house that has both private and shared indoor facilities and camp grounds available for visitors who are looking at low cost facilities.  There is a fully stocked restaurant and bar at the guest house.

For the upmarket guests, Amuka Safari Lodge offers ten tented cottages/ chalets. That is four family chalets with three beds for families and six standard chalets each with one bedroom and bathroom. These  have large verandas equipped with safari chairs for a relaxing thrill. There is a swimming pool at your disposal as well.

You will need good steady closed shoes, long pants, water and insect repellent at the sanctuary.  As you participate in any of the activities at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, know you are supporting the Rhino Fund Uganda in the conservation and sustainability of the sanctuary.

For more information on Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Wildlife Safaris, contact us on info@travelerslinkafrica.com