Uganda: Ziwa Rhino trekking

Visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda's only home for wild rhinos. Learn about the sanctuary's conservation efforts, explore its diverse ecosystems, and spot a variety of wildlife.
Begin your journey to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, located in Nakasongola District, within Uganda’s Central Region, along the Kampala–Gulu Highway. It lies approximately 176 kilometers north of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, making it accessible within a three- to four-hour drive. Its strategic location places it directly on the main tourism corridor to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and one of its most visited protected areas.

As such, Ziwa serves as an ideal stopover for travelers heading to or returning from northern Uganda, offering a seamless integration into longer safari itineraries. The sanctuary’s accessibility by road throughout the year enhances its appeal to both domestic and international tourists. Well-maintained highways, combined with clear signage and proximity to major towns, make Ziwa an attractive destination for self-drive travelers, tour operators, educational groups, and conservation researchers.

Rhinos once roamed freely across Uganda’s savannahs and woodlands, particularly in areas that are today known as Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and parts of western Uganda. However, during the 1970s and early 1980s, extensive poaching and political instability led to the complete extermination of rhinos in the country. By the early 1980s, Uganda had officially lost all its rhino populations, marking one of the most tragic chapters in its wildlife history.

The establishment of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in 2005 marked a turning point. The sanctuary was created as part of a long-term national strategy to reintroduce rhinos into Uganda’s protected areas. This initiative was spearheaded through collaboration between conservation organizations, wildlife authorities, and private landowners, with the shared goal of restoring rhinos in a secure and carefully managed environment.

White rhinos were chosen for reintroduction due to their social behavior, adaptability, and suitability for managed conservation landscapes. The sanctuary began with a small founding population, which has since grown steadily through natural breeding. Today, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary stands as a testament to effective wildlife management, patience, and unwavering commitment to conservation.

Covering an area of more than 70 square kilometers, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is characterized by a mosaic of ecosystems that include open savannah grasslands, acacia woodlands, seasonal wetlands, and permanent swamps. These varied habitats create an ideal environment not only for rhinos but also for a wide range of flora and fauna.

The sanctuary’s wetlands play a critical ecological role, supporting water-dependent species and maintaining the balance of the surrounding environment. The Lugogo Swamp, in particular, is one of the most important wetland areas within Ziwa and is internationally recognized as a habitat for rare bird species.

Beyond rhinos, Ziwa is home to numerous mammals such as Uganda kobs, bushbucks, oribis, waterbucks, warthogs

Om de beschikbaarheid te garanderen, dient u zo snel mogelijk te reserveren. Vroegboekkorting is het overwegen waard, vooral als u de reis plant tijdens het hoogseizoen, zoals op feestdagen of in het weekend.

Deze excursie kunt u kosteloos annuleren tot: annuleringstijd voor aanvang van de reis. Bij annulering na: annulering na: annuleringstijd of niet aanwezig zijn op de excursie wordt de volledige prijs van de activiteit alsnog in rekening gebracht. Te laat komen bij het ophalen of vertrekken wordt beschouwd als niet komen opdagen.