The Ziwa rhino sanctuary is situated in Nakasongola district in Uganda; it’s one of the best places to stop over while visiting Murchison falls national park in the north western part of the country boasting with the big five. Ziwa rhino sanctuary is one of the best places where you can find the endangered wild rhinos in the country.
Ziwa rhino sanctuary is a private sanctuary aiming at the conservation of the endangered rhinos managed by rhino fund Uganda and the Uganda Wildlife Authority that have combined efforts in conserving the endangered animals.
The Ziwa rhino sanctuary was established in the year 2005 it covers an area of about 70 kilometers squared. The rhino sanctuary was established after rhinos became extinct due to intensive poaching during the massive wars of the 1970s to 1980s when the country was not politically stable.
Ziwa rhino sanctuary provides tourists with different activities that tourists can engage in before embarking to Murchison falls some of the activities can be seen below.
Rhino tracking
At Ziwa rhino sanctuary, tourists can go for rhino trekking and see the endangered white rhinocerus in its natural habitat the number of the rhinos is said to be over 21 you will be escorted by an armed rangers guide who will take you close to the rhinos you can also take enough photos during the trekking.
Game viewing
A part from being home to rhinos the Ziwa rhino sanctuary offers great opportunities of viewing other wildlife some of the animals at the sanctuary are; antelopes, hippopotamus, crocodiles, bush bucks and many primate species.
Guided nature walks
The Ziwa rhino sanctuary has also got many walking trails that will expose you to wildlife such as gray duikers, bush bucks and Reed bucks the sanctuary has also got many types of butterflies and the vegetation has panoramic views the walking can take half or full day safari.
Bird watching
The Ziwa rhino sanctuary is endowed with different bird species it’s said to have over 350 bird species making it a birders paradise the famous shoe bill trek will offer you great opportunities of viewing the rare shoe bill some of the birds found here are; African grey crake, Abdim’stork and the blue spotted dove among others. The birding trails in the sanctuary are four.
Night walks
The Ziwa rhino sanctuary also organizes night walks where tourists can listen to the whispers of the wild in the night and also few some nocturnal animals.
The Ziwa rhino sanctuary also provides Continental mouth watering meals at their cozy restaurant while the well stocked bar provides various drinks hard and soft drinks even coffee is available. The staff are very warm welcoming making you feel at home.
Accommodation at the Ziwa rhino sanctuary is provided in camping with all the basic facilities other accommodation units can be found at the nearby Nakitoma town lodges such as; Max hotel, new court view hostel and Talemwa guest house among others.
The sanctuary can be accessed on the Gulu highway from Kampala it’s about 180 kilometers by road from the city.
This sanctuary can be visited all year round.
