Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, located in Nakasongola district is the proud home of the only wild white southern rhinos in Uganda. The rhino re-introduction project is a partnership between Rhino Fund Uganda and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The Sanctuary is conveniently located 176km (100mi) north of Kampala on the Kampala-Gulu highway towards Murchison Falls National Park. You will branch off at Nakitoma Trading Centre, before entering the territory of the southern white rhinos.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place where you will be able to see rhinos in the wild while you are in Uganda. This shall increase the chances of seeing all the Big Five (5) safari animals, that is lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and the rhinos.
Presently the sanctuary is home to twenty-two (22) southern white rhinos. The initial rhinos were imported from Kenya and South Africa, to help re-introduce them in Uganda, after being extinct by poachers. The population is now very promising, with a number of rhinos steadily and gradually increasing year by year. As a result, the sanctuary has become increasingly popular with tourists; for rhino trekking, Shoebill stork trek, boat canoe rides, bird watching, night walking safaris, nature walk and relaxation.
Amazing Rhino History of Uganda
Uganda used to have a healthy population of both black and northern white rhinos. The violent demise of species leading to all Uganda’s rhinos becoming extinct by 1983, was due to various factors, mainly civil war and poaching, as well as urbanization.
Black and white rhinoceros are both in danger of extinction in Uganda as a result of large scale slaughter by poachers. Rhinos are killed for the horn with fetches high prices, and in which there is a considerable illicit trade for export to the East, where it is much in demand for its supposed aphrodisiacal properties.
Within living memory, black rhinos were to be found throughout much of northern Uganda, including Lango and Karamoja regions. Today, white rhinos can only be found in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, near Murchison Falls National Park, which is west of Karamoja. However, it is doubtful if there are any black rhinos left.
Rhino Fund Uganda was formed as a non-governmental organization (NGO) in 1997. It was set up to repopulate Uganda with wild rhinos in the future, having established that both rhinoceros breeds, black and white, are globally endangered.
In 1983, both black rhinos and northern white rhinos were declared extinct throughout Uganda. Therefore, the purpose of the Fund was to return rhinos – a vital aspect of both environmental and cultural heritage, back into Uganda, through the breeding and release program.
More about the history and breeding of rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Located in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the 7,000 hectares of savannah and woodlands has provided them with land for the rhinos. Owned by Captain Joe Roy, a Ugandan citizen, a land usage license has been agreed to give them sole usage rights for thirty years, renewable.
From this, the first six southern white rhinos were translocated in 2005/6, with four from Kenya, and two from Disney Animal Kingdom (USA). Since it was the northern white rhinos that once populated Uganda’s national parks, their rhinos are technically considered an exotic breed!
It was four years before the first rhino was born in March 2008. Unfortunately, Bella’s baby was a stillborn.
The next year – 24th June 2009 – they had a healthy male calf, making history by being the first rhino born in Uganda in approximately 30 years! He was named Obama, making history, with his mother from the United States and his father from Kenya.
Rhino Fund’s prime objective is to reintroduce rhinoceros into Uganda. This project consists of three phases.
First phase: To raise awareness about rhinos and educate others regarding their threatened status. To accomplish this, they have imported and relocated two rhinoceros to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe and they also welcome visitors to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, located in Nakasongola District.
Second phase: To breed a sustainable rhino population within the sanctuary. They have had 16 births since June 2009, they have 21 now because Justice died, and mating is on-going. These are the first rhinos born in Uganda in over 30 years!
Third phase: to reintroduce rhinos back into their original habitat. When there is a sustainable population, rhinos will be relocated into Uganda’s protected areas.
Activities around Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
On-foot rhino trekking.
While at the Sanctuary, you will find well-trained rangers who will guide you through the bush to where the rhinos are, on foot, on the day of your visit.
You will get the opportunity to watch these endangered, magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. This is because these rhinos are free to move around on the 7,000 hectares of land, so it is often necessary to drive to the areas where the rhinos are, before taking the bush trek. This drive is done in your own vehicle; however, you can hire one of Rhino Fund Uganda safari vehicles and a driver, just ask at reception for the costs.
Shoebill trek and boat canoe ride
This is another amazing activity, one of its kind, that can be done at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The Shoebill stork is one of the most sought-after birds in Uganda, and the Sanctuary is one of the only places that you are almost always guaranteed to see these birds.
The best sighting has been 11 in just one trip, within the surrounding swamp, where these prehistoric-looking birds always nest.
An early morning (06:00 am) shoebill trek and boat canoe ride through the swamp not only gives you the opportunity to find the shoebill, but also to see the beautiful Ugandan sunrise over Lugogo Swamp.
Birding experience
The sanctuary contains over 300 bird species, and these can be spotted along the four bird trails within the sanctuary which covers woodlands, a swamp and savannah plains. The bird guides are excellent, therefore this is an activity that cannot be missed by bird lovers!
You will probably get to see some of the other wild animals around the sanctuary while on your bird watching walk. Spend a night or two on the sanctuary and enjoy the array of feathered friends we have.
Guided nature walks at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Get in company with nature and its sounds and smells, as one of our well-trained guides takes you on a walk through the lush bush. Who knows what you will see, the sanctuary is home to a wide variety of animals, bird species and reptiles.
The guide will share his knowledge of not only the animals but the botany and vegetation as well. If you are looking to unwind in the quiet, this is the activity you need to do.
Night walking safaris
The guided night walk will introduce you to night sounds and sensations you did not know existed! This is an experience you cannot exclude from your activities on the sanctuary. There are many nocturnal animals and who knows what you might bump into.