Most tourists visit Uganda for gorilla safari tours in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National parks in southwestern Uganda. However, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary should be on your bucket list for a complete safari in Uganda. It is the only destination where you can track the African White Rhinos in Uganda which gives you a chance to see the big Five list; these Include; Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, and Rhino. Uganda is among the exceptional countries with the big five found in their natural habitat.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was established in 2005 to reintroduce Rhinos in Uganda because they had faced extinction during the civil wars of 70’ and 80’. The population of Rhinos has wiped out the wilderness of Kidepo and Murchison Falls National Parks their initial habitat. The sanctuary is situated in the Nakasongola district en route to the famous Murchison Falls National Park. It has a growing population of up to 34 Rhinos which is promising and hopefully in the coming years Uganda will once again boast about the number of Rhinos.
However, there are also other wildlife species like birds, genets, colobus monkeys, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, water bucks, common duikers, bush pigs, and aardvarks.
WHAT TO DO AT ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY
There are quite a number of exciting activities you can do at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary that will reward you with a great Uganda safari experience.
Rhino Tracking
This is the major activity done by tourists looking out for an adventure as they track the Rhino in their natural habitats. The tracking is done on foot and you will be accompanied by a well ranger guide who is responsible for taking you to the exact location on the rhinos at that particular time. There is need to drive to a specific point near the ranger spotted the rangers then start trek. This activity gives you an opportunity to see the Rhinos in the wild as they feed and go about their daily life. You carry a camera to take photos of the Rhinos for future memories. The cost of tracking Rhinos at Ziwa is $30 for foreign Non-Residents, $20 for foreign residents.
Rhino trackers are advised to wear the right gears for this activity such as, Long-sleeved clothes, hiking boots, hut. You can also carry a hiking stick, insect repellant and a camera.
Birding
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has over 300 bird species making it a good birding destination with one of the rarest bird “Shoebill stork”. The ranch has a variety of birds habitat such as; savannah grasslands, swamps and the woodlands which attracts different birds at this particular destination. Well trained ranger guides are available on site to take you around the trails where the most interesting birds can be spotted. This activity is also done on foot at a slow pace as you look out for these colored beautiful birds while taking photos. Other common birds include: crested crane, parrot, palm nut vultures, barbets, Ross’s Turaco, speckled breasted woodpecker, blue-spotted dove, shoebill stork, Abdim’s stork, African black crake, Eastern Plantain-eater, White-rumped Swift, African Palm Swift, Black-headed Heron, Bateleur, Long-crested Eagle among others. Birding at the ranch is $20 foreign non-residents and foreign residents.
Guided day and night nature walks
Enjoy a natural filled walks as you explore Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on foot through the woodlands, savanna grassland and swamps. This activity gives you a chance to see quite a number of wildlife accompanied by a well-trained ranger guide at your disposal to answer any queries regarding different wildlife at the ranch. The fresh air and the beautiful sceneries at the ranch leave you yarning for more. The day nature walk gives you a chance to see diurnal animals while night walk gives you a chance to see nocturnal. The cost of the nature walk is $20 for both foreign non-residents and foreign residents.
Shoe bill trek and canoe rides
This particular activity focuses mostly on the shoebill, rare bird species which is mainly found in swampy area. It is an amazing and unique bird with a shoe like beak where its name is derived from. This activity starts early morning at 6 am it is advisable to stay at the ranch lodge if you are interested in doing a shoebill trek because the ranch gates open at 7am. Shoe bill trek is combined with a boat ride because one needs a boat to go searching for the shoe bill at lugogo swamp. And not only do you see the shoe bill, there are plentiful of water birds which you can see during the boat ride. The trek is charged $25 for foreign non-residents and $20 foreign residents.
Accommodation at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
There is one luxury lodge at the ranch called Amuka Safari Lodge which offers valuable services during your stay. It has spacious rooms to give you the best comfort while in the wild, well stocked bar and restaurant. There is also a guest house to cater for the mid- range travelers and lastly a campsite for the budget accommodation.
Location of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is located near Nakitoma trading center, Nakasongola district north of Kampala. It takes approximately 3 hour’s drive from Kampala en-route to Murchison Falls National Park which also Uganda’s famous national Park.
You can enjoy rhino tracking combined with Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and wildlife safari at Murchison Falls National Park for an extraordinary adventure in Uganda. Contact us at Travel Time for tailor made safaris of this kind.
