What You Should Know About Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is managed by Uganda wildlife Authority and is located in the district of Nakasongola north of Kampala the capital city of Uganda on Kampala – Gulu highway, the same route takes you to Murchison falls national park.
By road, the distance is about 180km on a good road, and takes about 3hrs from Kampala to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary which is relatively half way drive to Murchison falls national park one of Uganda’s biggest national parks this means that Ziwa is within the Murchison falls conservation area.
The sanctuary is famously known as a home to the only remaining endangered Rhinos. During the 90’s, Uganda had a bigger number of Rhinos, but later when the war broke out during the 1970’s, this resulted to massive poaching and the killing of this animal leading to their destruction and by 1983, there was almost nothing left of the Rhinos species in the wild.
After this incident in 2005, the Rhino Fund Uganda and Uganda wild life Authority a government bodies established Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and the rhinos where re-introduced in this place, where they trying to put them back in place before being introduced to the national parks in Uganda. The ranch also provides tight security at all time for 24hours guiding these animals in case of any attack, so you are sure of safe security while at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.
Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is the only place to trek wild Rhinos in Uganda, the other Rhinos are found at Uganda wildlife education center (former Zoo) in Entebbe. On arrival at the sanctuary, you will be given a briefing from your ranger guide on how to behave while on this Rhino trek. It is very critical that you heed to the ranger’s instructions while on the trek because Rhinos can be aggressive if they sense a need to defend themselves. Depending on the location of the Rhinos, you may need to drive closer to their location before you start the trek to reduce on the distance. Your ranger guide will share different information on the behavior of Rhinos and how you ought to behave while as you trek. Not only that, the sanctuary also offers a lot of more other activities besides rhino tracking including;
The Ranch is also a home to a lot of bird species, Reptiles and also harbor’s over 40 mammal species which has enabled activities around the ranch including; game viewing and the nature walks activities around the sanctuary. Besides the rhinos, there other animals such as elephants, antelopes, crocodiles, hippos, monkeys and many more. There are many activities that you can engage in while at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary so you are sure of a great time while visiting the home of the rhinos.
- Published in Breez Safari News, Domestic Tours