Rhino Tracking in Uganda– A Detailed Guide

Tracking rhinos in Uganda is one of the most fun things to do with animals when visiting the Pearl of Africa. The country is known around the world for its classic wildlife safaris and gorilla trekking, but it also has a special chance to chase endangered rhinos on foot.
The only spot in Uganda where visitors can view rhinos today is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a protected region about three hours north of Kampala on the way to Murchison Falls National Park. This sanctuary is very important for bringing rhinos back to Uganda after poaching and political turmoil killed them all in the late 20th century.
When you go to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you may stroll into the bush with professional rangers and see these huge animals in their native habitat from a safe distance. This intimate interaction makes following rhinos one of the most fun things to do with animals in Uganda.

The History of Rhinos in Uganda

Rhinos used to be plentiful in Uganda’s savannahs, notably in Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park. These places were home to both black rhinos and northern white rhinos, which are both part of Uganda’s rich wildlife history.
Rhino populations, on the other hand, fell quickly during the political upheaval and intense poaching of the 1970s and early 1980s. Rhinos were completely gone from Uganda by 1982.
In 2005, conservationists built the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to help the species come back. The experiment started with six southern white rhinos: four from Solio Ranch in Kenya and two from a zoo in the United States.
The sanctuary has since successfully raised the number of rhinos to more than thirty. The project’s long-term goal is to bring rhinos back into Uganda’s national parks once the population is big enough.

 How Rhino Tracking Works in Uganda

When you go rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, it’s totally different from going on a regular wildlife safari when you see animals from a car. Here, visitors walk alongside professional guides and armed rangers to find the rhinos.
The trip starts with a short safety briefing in the sanctuary’s main office, where guides go over the restrictions for getting close to rhinos. After that, visitors drive to the general area where rhinos have been seen before proceeding on foot.
It’s fun to walk around the savannah grasslands and woods with a ranger. Rangers look for rhinos by following their tracks and indicators like broken plants or fresh faeces.
When the rhinos are spotted, visitors are placed about six to seven meters away, which gives them a great chance to see these huge animals up close. Male white rhinos can weigh up to three tons and gallop as fast as 50 kilometres per hour, although they are normally peaceful and spend much of their time eating or resting.
Depending on where the rhinos are, a typical tracking experience lasts between one and two hours.

 Animals and things to do at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 

The refuge is home to many other animals besides rhinos, although they are the major draw. More than 40 mammals live in the area, such as bushbuck, warthogs, monkeys, hippos, and crocodiles.
The refuge is also a great place to see birds, with over 300 species documented. The Lugogo Wetland in the sanctuary is a great place for numerous aquatic birds to live, including the famed shoebill stork.

Other things to do at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

• Trekking and canoeing with shoebills 
  The shoebill walk is one of the most popular things to do at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. People went canoeing through Lugogo Swamp in the early morning to look for the uncommon shoebill stork.
  This bird looks like it came from the past, and birdwatchers in Uganda really want to see it. The canoe trip also gives you great views of the marsh area and the sunrise over the swamp.
• Watching Birds 
  If you love birds, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the place for you. On birding paths, you can view the grey-crowned crane, African fish eagle, huge kingfisher, and Abyssinian ground hornbill in savannah grasslands, forests, and wetlands.
  The ideal times to watch birds are early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when they are most active.
• Walks in Nature and at Night 
  Visitors can learn about plants, insects, and smaller animals while exploring the refuge on guided nature walks. You can also go on night walks, which give you the chance to witness animals that are active at night but not during the day.

The Best Time to Go to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 

You can monitor rhinos all year long, but the best time to go is during Uganda’s dry seasons:
From December to February, From June until October . The pathways are dry during these months, which makes it easier to see wildlife. The wet seasons make the countryside lush and green and are great for birdwatching, but excessive rain can sometimes make activities harder.

Where to Stay 

Visitors can spend the night at the refuge to get the most out of their visit

• Amuka Safari Lodge is a great place to stay because it is a lovely lodge inside the reserve.
  The resort has big cabins, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and great views of the savannah around it. People on a budget can also stay in guesthouses, campsites, and backpacker hostels in the sanctuary.
• Ziwa guest houses (midrange and budget options)
• Camping (budget)

 How to Get There

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is in Nakitoma, which is in the Nakasongola District along the Kampala-Gulu route. It takes roughly three hours to drive from Kampala. A lot of people stop in Ziwa on their route to Murchison Falls National Park, which makes it a good place to add to safari plans in northern Uganda.

Things to know When Planning for  Rhino Tracking

Before going to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, travellers should think about the following:

• Dress appropriately
  To keep bugs and thorny plants away, you should wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and comfortable shoes.
• Bring what you need
  Bring sunscreen, bug spray, bottled water, binoculars, and a nice camera to record the event.
• Do what the ranger says
  Always do what the guide says and stay a safe distance away from the rhinos.
• Plan your activities ahead of time
  Tracking rhinos is popular, and scheduling ahead of time helps you get the time you want.

NOTE: A lot of people go on a safari in Murchison Falls National Park and then go rhino tracking to see all the wildlife

 

FAQ’s

1. Where in Uganda can you see rhinos?

   The only area in Uganda where you may observe rhinos is the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is on the way to Murchison Falls National Park along the Kampala–Gulu highway.

2. How long does it take to track a rhino?

   Depending on how far away the rhinos are from the beginning place, a typical rhino tracking session lasts between 1-2 hours

3.  How near can you get to the rhinos?

   Most of the time, people watch rhinos from a safe distance of six to seven meters while they are with professional rangers.

4. Is it safe to track rhinos?

   Yes, it is safe to track rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is because professional rangers lead visitors and make sure that all safety rules are observed.

5. Is it possible to go on other safaris while tracking rhinos?

   Many safari plans include both rhino tracking at Ziwa and wildlife safaris at Murchison Falls National Park or other places in Uganda.

In conclusion 
Tracking rhinos in Uganda is a unique chance to trek into the wilds of Africa and see endangered rhinos in their natural habitat. Visitors to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary not only have an amazing time with wildlife, but they also help protect and restore rhinos in the country.
If you’re going to Uganda to see gorillas, go on a nature safari, or watch birds, you should also add rhino tracking to your list of things to do. It’s a fun way to see the amazing variety of animals that live in the Pearl of Africa.