Rhinos in Uganda are a thrilling sight to behold.
Rhinos in Uganda: Encountering rhinos in Uganda is an exhilarating experience, as they are part of the big five. You can spot these magnificent creatures during tours at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, nestled in the Nakasongola district. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary stands out as the sole destination in Uganda where visitors can encounter rhinos on a wildlife safari. The rhino sanctuary is home to white rhinos, and you will also discover a variety of bird species in Ziwa. Rhinos are endangered wildlife species in Uganda, and the Ziwa Sanctuary offers a thrilling opportunity to encounter a variety of other wildlife during tours. Visitors can spot Uganda kobs, oribis, bushbucks, warthogs, black and white colobus monkeys, porcupines, genets, aardvarks, common duikers, and waterbucks.
At the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you can encounter around 34 rhinos, while another spot to observe these magnificent creatures is the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) in Entebbe, where the rhinos are not wandering freely in their natural surroundings. At the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the rhinos receive dedicated care as efforts are made to reintroduce them into Uganda’s national parks.
Exciting experiences await at Ziwa rhino sanctuary
When you visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you will discover a range of exciting activities to engage in while observing the majestic rhinos. Here are some of the options available:
Embarking on a journey to track rhinos
The rhino tracking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary unfolds on foot, with tourists journeying alongside ranger guides as they embark on a quest to find the rhinos in Uganda.
Rhinos at the sanctuary wander freely across the ranch, allowing tourists to meet them in their wild surroundings. The rhino tracking experience begins bright and early at 07:00 am and runs until 05:00 pm each day, offering an exhilarating adventure that can last up to about 2 hours.
Before embarking on the thrilling rhino trekking experience in Uganda, a briefing by the ranger guides is conducted to ensure safety during the exciting search for these magnificent creatures. Visitors approach the rhinos, capturing stunning photos before making their way back to the briefing point.
Rhinos in Uganda are a thrilling sight to behold.
Embark on a thrilling journey at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you can trek alongside majestic rhinos. Do not miss the chance to encounter the fascinating shoebill in its natural habitat.
The Shoebill experience unfolds from 06:00 to 09:00 am amidst the captivating tours around the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
This activity entails the exhilarating quest for the shoebill, a renowned bird that captivates enthusiasts on birding tours in Uganda. At the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the Shoebill can be spotted amidst the swamps, and a canoe ride is embarked upon to seek out this remarkable bird.
As you embark on the quest for the Shoebill, you will encounter a variety of other bird species along the way.
Exploratory nature strolls
The guided nature walks around Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary immerse tourists in the stunning landscapes and vibrant habitats of various wildlife species, including the majestic rhinos that are often spotted along the journey.
Various paths are explored during the guided nature walks, led by ranger guides, and typically last around 2 hours.
Evening strolls can be enjoyed at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, occurring from 08:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Exciting canoe rides
Embark on canoe rides around Ziwa rhino sanctuary as part of your tours, where you can seek out the elusive shoebill and enjoy birding adventures in the vibrant wetland area of the sanctuary.
Exploring the world of birds
More than 300 bird species inhabit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, showcasing a vibrant array that includes the Shoebill, Grey Crowned Crane, African Fish Eagle, Pied Kingfisher, African Jacana, African Grey Hornbill, Pygmy Kingfisher, Marabou Stork, White Egret, and Red Billed Oxpeckers, to name just a few.
Exploring the rhinos in Uganda can be paired with thrilling wildlife safaris to Murchison Falls National Park.
Price of experiencing rhinos in Uganda
Visiting the rhinos in Uganda involves various expenses, including accommodation, transport, and entrance fees, which differ for foreign nonresidents, foreign residents, and East Africans.
Adventure costs
The cost to explore the rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is 50 USD for foreign nonresident adults and 30 USD for children up to 12 years old. Foreign residents are charged an entrance fee of 45 USD for adults and 20 USD to see the rhinos, while East African adults pay a fee of 40,000 Uganda shillings, and children are charged 10,000 Uganda shillings.
Shoebill expedition
Joining the shoebill trek at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary requires a fee of 25 USD for foreign nonresidents, 20 USD for foreign residents, and 20,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
Exploring the great outdoors
Exploring the enchanting trails during both day and night at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is priced at 20,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans, while foreign residents and non-residents can join the adventure for 20 USD.
Birding is priced at 20 USD for foreign nonresidents and foreign residents, while East Africans can join a birding tour around Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a fee of 20,000 Uganda shillings.
Costs for lodging
When exploring the rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, visitors have the option to camp under the stars or enjoy a stay in the guesthouse or dorm room. Camping fees are set at 20 USD per person per day, while a night at the guesthouse ranges from 50 USD to 90 USD for single rooms, 80 USD to 120 USD for double rooms, and dormitory accommodations are approximately 30 USD per person per night.
Travel expenses
Visitors also face transportation expenses while exploring the rhinos in Uganda, and they have the option to choose between public or private transport. Renting a vehicle typically runs around 100 USD per day for private transport, while public transport offers a more economical option at about 12,000 Uganda shillings per person.
Ideal moments to encounter rhinos in Uganda
Rhinos can be encountered at any time of the year, but the prime months for spotting them are during the dry season, from December to February and June to October. Yet, they can still be spotted during the rainy season, undeterred by the downpours.
The dry season offers a fantastic opportunity to encounter various wildlife species in Uganda while on safaris.
Where to lodge while embarking on a rhino tracking journey in Uganda
The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary provides a unique lodging experience for travelers eager to encounter rhinos in their natural habitat at the Amuka Safari Lodge.
Journeying to the Ziwa rhino sanctuary
The journey from Kampala to Nakasongola spans approximately 2 to 3 hours.