Introduction
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a private animal sanctuary that was established to reintroduce the southern white rhinoceros in the wild. This rhino sanctuary was established in 2005 with a long-term goal of building a sustainable rhinoceros population and relocating them back to their original habitats in Uganda’s protected areas. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located about 164 kilometers north of Kampala in Mukerenge village Nakitoma sub-county within the Kafu River basin in the Nakasongola district off the Kampala-Gulu highway. This wildlife ranch covers an area of 70 square kilometers dominated by savannah grasslands, woodlands, swamps, and many more which are perfect habitats for these endangered species.
The land on which Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary sits is private land managed by a private land management company known as Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch Limited which works in collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority a government agency responsible for protecting Uganda’s wildlife resources. By 1982, both the black rhinoceros and the northern white rhinoceros had become extinct within Uganda. This was due to numerous factors such as poaching, prolonged armed human conflicts, destruction and mismanagement of their natural habitats, and many more. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary started an initiative to restore the rhinoceros to Uganda in 2005 where it started with six rhinos. The four were bought from Solio Ranch in Kenya and two were donated by Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida in the United States. As of June 2013, the rhinoceros’ population had grown to 13 individuals which later grew to 15 by April 2014 following the birth of other caves. The Rhinoceros numbers increased to 22 animals and 33 by December 2021 which has gradually increased to over 41 as of June 2024.
Attractions at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Southern White Rhinoceros
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only home to white rhinoceros in Uganda where one can experience the majesty of these creatures up-close in their natural habitat. This wildlife ranch currently harbors and protects over 41 southern white rhinoceros that are on 24-hour surveillance by rangers to ensure their protection and safety from poachers. These rhinos live in families led by dominant males who are territorial often fighting to protect their territories from other intruding males. Encountering and watching these endangered animals in their natural habitat is a thrill and so interesting to learn about their behaviors.
Bird species
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a haven for over 300 bird species that can easily be spotted on one’s birding excursion in Uganda. These bird species include the Abyssinian ground hornbill, Piac pic, grey crowned cranes, buff-spotted fluff tail, cattle egrets, red-winged starling, ring-necked dove, broad-billed roller, saddle-billed stork, Senegal coucal, African fish eagle, Ross’s turaco, brown-throated wattle eye, brown parrot, African blue flycatcher, Abdims stork, African black crake, blue-spotted dove, red-headed weaver, papyrus Gonolek, swamp flycatcher to mention but a few. This sanctuary is also home to the prehistoric shoebill stork that can be seen within the Lugogo swamp.
Other mammals
Several other mammals are residents of this Rhino sanctuary for example the bushbucks, oribis, Uganda kobs, duikers, waterbucks, hippopotamuses, and many more. Other animals have been introduced into this wildlife sanctuary from Murchison Falls National Park and these include the Rothschild giraffe and the Jackson’s hartebeests through the efforts of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. These animals can be seen during guided nature walks as well as during the due course of tracking the rhinos.
Lugogo swamp
This is a 10-kilometer wide swamp that is situated within Ziwa rhino sanctuary famous for harboring the elusive shoebill stork. Lugogo swamp is a habitat for several other bird species. For example, the giant kingfisher, saddle-billed stork, swamp Gonolek, flycatchers, and many more. It also attracts animals such as the waterbucks, warthogs, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, and many more to quench their thirst. This is normally during the dry season when the waterholes are dry which fosters clear and nonstrenuous game viewing.
Activities at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Rhino tracking
This is the Sanctuary’s major tourist activity where tourists follow after rhinos on foot. This activity starts with a briefing at the sanctuary headquarters on the expected code of conduct by tourists and their expectations. Experienced ranger guides will guide you to the starting point of your trek by first driving close to where they are to avoid walking long distances. After encountering rhinos, you will get close to them for about 6-7 meters as you observe them go by their activities like grazing, wallowing in the ponds, and many more. Ranger guides are always available to share information about the rhinos and also answer any questions that tourists may have. An hour is allowed with these large mammals which is the perfect time for one to record moments and take pictures with rhinos in the background.
Guided nature walks
This is a thrilling activity that involves moving on foot through the sanctuary’s savannah grasslands led by ranger guides. The rangers will guide you to spot and identify several animal species, plant species, bird species, and many more. Guided nature walks start with a briefing at the headquarters before proceeding hiking through the grasslands. Animal species to look out for include Uganda Kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, primates like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and many more. A variety of bird species are spotted such as grey-crowned cranes, Abyssinian ground hornbills, Piac piac, hornbills, and broad-billed rollers to mention but a few. Ranger guides are available to share information regarding the wildlife in this ranch and answer every question that may arise.
Birdwatching
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary harbors more than 300 bird species making it a perfect destination for bird lovers. Bird watching starts with a briefing highlighting the dos and don’ts of this activity. Experienced bird guides lead you to several birding trails through savannahs, woodlands, swamps, and many more while they help you spot and identify different bird species. This activity can either be done in the morning or the evening lasting for about 2 hours. During this activity, several other wildlife species are encountered such as olive baboons, monkeys, kobs, bushbucks, and many more. This wildlife sanctuary offers the opportunity to spot the prehistoric and elusive shoebill stork in its habitat by heading off for a local canoe ride along the Lugogo swamp within the Ziwa rhino sanctuary.
Shoebill canoe ride
This canoe ride is done along a 10-kilometer-wide swamp known as the Lugogo swamp that harbors several water birds with the prehistoric shoebill stork inclusive. These canoe rides are offered by the local communities in turn are paid for their services. This is one of the conservation initiatives within the wildlife ranch. This is also the perfect place to spot several water birds such as the saddle-billed stork, giant kingfisher, Egyptian goose, open-billed stork, African fish eagle, goliath herons malachite kingfisher to mention but a few.
Night walks
This is an activity that is done at night to encounter nocturnal animals that thrive in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. It is done with the guidance of ranger guides with flashlights to have a clear view in the night. Night walks last for about 2½ hours starting at 8 pm to 10:30 pm as you look out for animals like aardvark, leopards, bush babies, and many more.
Best time to visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is open to tourists all year round though the best time is during the dry season in June to September and December to February. During this period of the year, the tracking trails are dry and accessible compared to when they are muddy and slippery during the rainy season. The vegetation cover is thin and sparse fostering a clear view of wildlife during several activities in the sanctuary. However, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary can also be visited in the rainy season which is the best time for birdwatching since it’s the breeding season for several bird species.