Ziwa rhino sanctuary

Ziwa rhino sanctuary is a breeding program for rhinos in Uganda located in the northwestern part of Kampala in Nakasongola district. The rhino sanctuary covers a total area of 70 square kilometers and it’s dominated by different vegetation types including woodland vegetation, grassland, savannah and swamps. Ziwa rhino sanctuary was established in 2005 mainly to re-introduce southern white rhinos back to the national parks like Murchison falls national park. The sanctuary started with 6 rhinos and currently the total number has increased to 34. Ziwa rhino sanctuary is one of the destinations to visit on your way to Murchison falls national park or Kidepo valley national park as it has interesting activities that you can engage including,

Things to do at Ziwa rhino sanctuary

Rhino tracking

Rhino tracking is the major activity at Ziwa rhino sanctuary and it starts with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations from the park guides. Rhino tracking takes about 1 to 2 hours and after the briefing, you will drive within the sanctuary to the starting point where you will get out of the car and walk on foot to where the rhinos are and during the walk you will be able to view some bird species, other animals among others. Once the rhinos are found, you will be able to spend some time with them which gives you a chance to learn about their behaviors, watch them feed, take photos, record videos among others. Tracking of rhinos at Ziwa rhino sanctuary costs 50 USD per person for foreign non residents, 40 USD per person for foreign residents and 30,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.

Bird watching

Ziwa rhino sanctuary is a home of over 350 bird species which makes it one of the popular bird watching destinations in Uganda. Bird watching in Ziwa rhino sanctuary takes about 4 to 5 hours and can be done during the canoe ride at Lugogo swamp or nature walk.  During bird watching, you will follow different birding trails with an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species including the prehistoric Shoebill Stork, African Golden Breasted Bunting, White Crested Turaco, Grey Crowned Crane, Brown Parrot, Africa Fish Eagle, African Black Crake, Brown Backed Scrub Robin, Broad Billed Roller, Blue Spotted Dove, African Darter, Brown Crowned Tchagra, Giant Abdim’s Stork, Cardinal Woodpecker, Common Bulbul, Double Toothed Barbet, Black-headed Batis, Green Wood-hoope, Little Sparrow Hawk, Lizard Buzzard, Long-tailed Starling, Nubian Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Long claw, Purple Starling, Plantain Eater, Red-shouldered Cuckoo Shrike among others.

Nature walks

Nature walk is an interesting activity where you will be able to explore the sanctuary on foot with the company of an experienced park guide and an armed park ranger to protect you from any danger. During the guided nature walk you will get up-close and personal with different animals like waterbucks, duikers, bush bucks, reedbucks, oribi, mongoose, warthogs, Uganda kobs, black and white colobus monkeys view and listen to sweet sounds of bird species, you will also be able to view colorful butterflies, lizards, insects among others.

Ziwa rhino sanctuary also offers night or nocturnal walks where you will be able to explore the sanctuary at night with the company of an armed park ranger and spot light torches for clear viewing of nocturnal animals, birds, bats, porcupines, genet, Aardvark among others.

Best time to visit Ziwa rhino sanctuary

Ziwa rhino sanctuary can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this period there is less rainfall in the sanctuary therefore vegetation will be short, nature walk and rhino tracking trails will be dry and passable which makes tracking easy.

How to get to Ziwa rhino sanctuary

Ziwa rhino sanctuary is located in the northwestern part of Kampala on the way to Murchison falls national park in Nakasongola district and it can be accessed by road transport means which takes about 3 hours’ drive from Kampala.

Where to stay during your safari at Ziwa rhino sanctuary

There are few accommodation facilities at Ziwa rhino sanctuary where you can stay during your safari including Amuka Safari Lodge, Ziwa Rhino Lodge, Rhino Guest House-Nakasongola, Norena Hotel Nakasongola among others.

For memorable experiences on the Uganda safari, activities in Ziwa rhino sanctuary will be combined with wildlife viewing in Kidepo valley national park.