Rhino Tracking In Uganda
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Rhino Track
A trek to see rhinos in Uganda’s wilderness is remarkably one of a few most unique experiences you need not to miss in life. Rhino tracking in Uganda is conducted only at the Ziwa Sanctuary which is located in Nakasongola district.
The re-introduction of rhinos in Uganda is a new initiative that has spearheaded by Rhino Fund Uganda as well as Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). However, due to political instabilities in the 1970s, poaching reached at its peak which led to reduction in a number of rhinos as well as many big game species including elephants.
Around 1982, the last rhino was hunted in Uganda and in 2005; reintroduction exercise for these endangered species began with main aim of returning them into national parks.
The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is situated approximately 176 kilometers north of Kampala through Gulu highway as you head to Murchison Falls National Park. Its area coverage is about 70 square kilometers and largely features woodlands with thickets, swamps, ponds, grasslands and others.
Tracking these rare creatures make it a complete list of the big five game in Uganda. Rhinos are undoubtedly the second biggest mammal species on land after elephants. Their name is derived from the 2 Greek words rhinos denoting nose and ceros meaning horn.
These mammal species comprise of about 5 distinct species and in Africa, there are 2 species that include the black and white rhinos which all feature a pair of horns and normally spotted around East and South African countries.
The three other species include the Asian category which includes the Indian popularly known as the Great one horned rhinoceros largely spotted in particular places such as India and Nepal.
The other is called Javan rhino which is found within Indonesia and Vietnam with one horn. The 5th type is called Sumatran and mainly found in Malaysia and Indonesia with 2 (two) horns.
When the re-introduction exercise began, about six (6) female rhinos were donated by South Africa’s northwest parks and tourism board. Today, there are more than 20 of these rare mammal species that thrive within Uganda’s wilderness area.
Besides tracking rhinos, the Ziwa sanctuary also inhabits different kinds of wildlife species that include the 26 mammal species including bushbucks, pangolins, reedbucks, Uganda Kobs, colobus and Vervet monkeys a mention but a few.
In addition, there are numerous bird species for you to sight out in the expansive woodland, grassland and swampy area at this sanctuary that make a total of about 350 bird species.
They include among others the Meyer’s parrot, Gabar goshawk, Green winged ptyilia, purple banded sunbird, butler eagle, fork tailed kingfisher, martial eagle, black headed gonolek, African thrush, rupell’s long tailed starling and double toothed barbet, African grey hornbill, common bulbul and others.
However, rhino tracking is the main activity one can engage while on safari in this sanctuary and lasts for about two to three hours. The trek normally starts from headquarters and visitors are accompanied by ranger guide. The other activities include bird watching and nature walks
Accommodation at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The available accommodation options for your overnight stay at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary include Ziwa Rhino Guesthouse, Ziwa Rhino Lodge and Amuka safari lodge.
How to get to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is about 2 and half hours’ drive from Kampala. It is found within Nakasongola just next to Nakitoma village north of Kampala and you drive via Kampala-Gulu highway. It is also a major stopover for most tourists on Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park.
Conclusively, rhino tracking in Uganda is only done at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. It is from this area that you make a complete list of the big five game while on wildlife safari in Uganda.
A trek to see rhinos in Uganda’s wilderness is remarkably one of a few most unique experiences you need not to miss in life. Rhino tracking in Uganda is conducted only at the Ziwa Sanctuary which is located in Nakasongola district.
The re-introduction of rhinos in Uganda is a new initiative that has spearheaded by Rhino Fund Uganda as well as Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). However, due to political instabilities in the 1970s, poaching reached at its peak which led to reduction in a number of rhinos as well as many big game species including elephants.
Around 1982, the last rhino was hunted in Uganda and in 2005; reintroduction exercise for these endangered species began with main aim of returning them into national parks.
The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is situated approximately 176 kilometers north of Kampala through Gulu highway as you head to Murchison Falls National Park. Its area coverage is about 70 square kilometers and largely features woodlands with thickets, swamps, ponds, grasslands and others.
Tracking these rare creatures make it a complete list of the big five game in Uganda. Rhinos are undoubtedly the second biggest mammal species on land after elephants. Their name is derived from the 2 Greek words rhinos denoting nose and ceros meaning horn.
These mammal species comprise of about 5 distinct species and in Africa, there are 2 species that include the black and white rhinos which all feature a pair of horns and normally spotted around East and South African countries.
The three other species include the Asian category which includes the Indian popularly known as the Great one horned rhinoceros largely spotted in particular places such as India and Nepal.
The other is called Javan rhino which is found within Indonesia and Vietnam with one horn. The 5th type is called Sumatran and mainly found in Malaysia and Indonesia with 2 (two) horns.
When the re-introduction exercise began, about six (6) female rhinos were donated by South Africa’s northwest parks and tourism board. Today, there are more than 20 of these rare mammal species that thrive within Uganda’s wilderness area.
Besides tracking rhinos, the Ziwa sanctuary also inhabits different kinds of wildlife species that include the 26 mammal species including bushbucks, pangolins, reedbucks, Uganda Kobs, colobus and Vervet monkeys a mention but a few.
In addition, there are numerous bird species for you to sight out in the expansive woodland, grassland and swampy area at this sanctuary that make a total of about 350 bird species.
They include among others the Meyer’s parrot, Gabar goshawk, Green winged ptyilia, purple banded sunbird, butler eagle, fork tailed kingfisher, martial eagle, black headed gonolek, African thrush, rupell’s long tailed starling and double toothed barbet, African grey hornbill, common bulbul and others.
However, rhino tracking is the main activity one can engage while on safari in this sanctuary and lasts for about two to three hours. The trek normally starts from headquarters and visitors are accompanied by ranger guide. The other activities include bird watching and nature walks
Accommodation at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The available accommodation options for your overnight stay at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary include Ziwa Rhino Guesthouse, Ziwa Rhino Lodge and Amuka safari lodge.
How to get to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is about 2 and half hours’ drive from Kampala. It is found within Nakasongola just next to Nakitoma village north of Kampala and you drive via Kampala-Gulu highway. It is also a major stopover for most tourists on Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park.
Conclusively, rhino tracking in Uganda is only done at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. It is from this area that you make a complete list of the big five game while on wildlife safari in Uganda.
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