Rhino tracking is one of the must-do safari activities on your Uganda game safaris to western and northwestern Uganda. Located in Nakassongola district, en route to Murchison Falls National Park, Rhino tracking is an experimental experience that gives you a chance to trek and meet the once extinct rhinos in Uganda. Most travelers on Uganda game safaris to Murchison Falls National Park add rhino tracking to make it a complete “big five game” in Uganda. YES, rhinos at Zziwa sanctuary adds to the big four-game “elephants, lions, Buffalos and hippos” in other game parks of Uganda especially Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Uganda lost most of her rhinos in 1970s especially to poaching and conflicts in game parks at that time. Rhinos were the most hunted wild animals for horns which are used to make numerous precious products such as bracelets, necklaces, and watches that are highly-priced in the black market. Rhinos got almost extinct in all game parks of Uganda, Murchison falls, and Kidepo Valley National Park and Uganda seized to be home to the big five games. Apparently, the number of rhinos at Zziwa sanctuary count to over 25 rhinos. In the near future, Uganda Wildlife Authority has plans of transferring some rhinos back into the national parks of Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National park to promote rhino tracking safaris all over the country. Depending on your available time, you can do a 1 Day rhino tracking tour with an early pickup from Kampala and late drop off or else do an extended Uganda game safari including rhino tracking and a visit to Murchison Falls National Park.
Formation of the Zziwa Rhino sanctuary
Having realized the need to reintroduce rhinos back into the wilderness, the Rhino Fund Uganda was established in 2005. Uganda Wildlife Authority garzetted 70 square kilometers of land in Nakasongola and named it Zziwa Rhino sanctuary to provide habitat for the newly introduced rhinos and promote rhino tracking in the Pearl of Africa. Uganda received a donation of 6 rhinos, 2 from Disney World and 4 from Kenya and that was a new start of rhino tracking safaris in Uganda.
Cost of Rhino tracking at Zziwa Sanctuary
Just like all other activities in Uganda, Rhino tracking at Zziwa sanctuary calls for payment. The cost of trekking rhinos at Zziwa ranch is categorized into adults and children based on their residences. Rhino tracking in Uganda costs $50 for foreign adult nonresidents, $40 for East African residents and UGX 30,000 for Ugandans, $25 for foreign nonresident children, $20 for resident children and UGX 10,000 for Ugandan children. All bookings are done directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or African Apes Holidays your number one travel company in Uganda. Booking is required some time in advance to ensure timely planning and to avoid last-minute disappointments.
What to pack for Rhino tracking at Zziwa Sanctuary?
Whereas trekking rhinos at Zziwa sanctuary is not as strenuous as gorilla trekking or chimpanzee safaris, the experience itself is not a walk away. Travelers have got to walk for between 2-3 hours in search of the rhinos. This requires you to pack and dress right for the jungle to avoid difficulty. Among the things to pack for rhino tracking at Zziwa sanctuary include hiking boots/shoes, gardening gloves, long pants, sunglasses, energy-giving snacks, bottled drinking water, long-sleeved shirts/blouses and also carry a walking stick.
Other activities to do at Zziwa Rhino sanctuary
Besides rhino tracing, travelers to Zziwa sanctuary have a list of other tourist activities to do to make a complete package.
• Bird watching: For birders, Zziwa Rhino sanctuary is home to over 200 bird species hence the best place for bird watching. Among the birds at Zziwa sanctuary include African Fish Eagle, African Black Crake, Brown Backed Shrub Robin, African Citril, Brown Parot, White Crested Turaco and African Crowned Eagle among others.
• Nature/Forest Walks: Yes, Zziwa Rhino sanctuary is best for a guided forest/nature to walk to enjoy and embrace the beautiful green environment and natural bushes. The nature walk is the best time to explore this sanctuary on foot, spot some medicinal herbs and plant species in this sanctuary. A nature walk also gives you chance to meet and see other wildlife species at the sanctuary such as Vervet monkeys, pythons, Lizards, black and white colobus, Mangoose, Oribis, Hartbeest, Grey duiker and bushbucks among others.
• Night walks: You can also opt for night walks in Zziwa sanctuary to feel and enjoy the quiet and cold nightlife at the sanctuary. Night nature walks cost $30 lasting for roughly 3 hours.
Rules and Regulations of Rhino Tracking at Zziwa Sanctuary
At the start of the trekking day, travelers gather at the head office for briefing and guide on Rhino tracking. These include:
1. Do not litter in the sanctuary, leave only the footsteps
2. Do not shout at the rhinos; speak on a low tone
3. Do not feed/touch the Rhinos
4. Keep within your group/ do not loiter alone in the bush
5. Keep a distance from the rhinos, they are wild animals
Rhino tracking at Zziwa Sanctuary should not miss on your bucket list to Uganda. Book today and get a chance to trek the once extinct species of rhinos in Uganda with African Apes Tours & Travel
