Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary began as Ziwa Cattle Ranch, which was owned by Captain Roy and his family in 1983. At that time, the ranch was known for introducing exotic cattle breeds in Uganda. Over the years, changes in land use, human activities, and wars led to serious threats to wildlife in Uganda.
White and black rhinos once lived freely in the savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park. Sadly, heavy poaching and insecurity almost wiped out rhinos in Uganda. This situation raised global concern about saving the species from extinction.
In 2005, after discussions between Captain Roy and Rhino Fund’s Executive Director Yvonne Verkaik, a decision was made to transform the cattle ranch into a wildlife sanctuary. More than 7,000 cattle were relocated, leading to the creation of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The sanctuary started with six rhinos. Four were brought from Solio Ranch in Kenya, and two were donated from Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the United States.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a private wildlife sanctuary covering about 7,000 hectares of land. The entire area is fenced with a two meter electric fence to protect the animals. The sanctuary is guarded by over 112 trained rangers who work day and night to ensure the safety of wildlife.
Today, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is home to about 38 rhinos. It also supports over 40 mammal species and around 350 bird species. The sanctuary works closely with Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rhino Fund Uganda to support wildlife conservation and education.
The sanctuary is located in Nakasongola District, about 100 miles north of Kampala, along the Gulu highway on the way to Murchison Falls National Park. It is the only place in Uganda where visitors can see rhinos in the wild, making it an important stop for Big Five safaris.
Besides white rhinos, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is also home to elephants, antelopes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and other wildlife. The sanctuary is also famous for the shoebill, which can be seen during canoe trips along Lugogo Swamp. Other birds commonly seen include white crested turaco, great blue turaco, giant kingfisher, and barbets.
Activities at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary include rhino trekking, which takes about one and a half hours depending on rhino location. The best time for rhino trekking is between 8 to 10 am or 4 to 8 pm. Other activities include nature walks, bird watching, nature hikes, and camping.
Accommodation options include Amuka Safari Lodge and Ziwa Rhino Campsites, backpacker facilities, and lodges.
Rhino trekking costs 30 USD for foreign non residents, 20 USD for foreign residents, and 20,000 Uganda shillings for East African residents.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a meaningful conservation site and a rewarding tourism destination worth visiting in Uganda.
