Rhino tracking safari in Uganda: Overall, Uganda – is a pearl of Africa and is named the pearl of Africa because of its biodiversity in wildlife species, birdlife, primates, and scenic landscape as well as beautiful nature. However, Uganda is best known for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Parks, game drives, and walking safaris for wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is popularly home to unique tree-climbing lions and Kidepo Valley National Park is best to see herds of elephants and Ostriches among others. More so, Rhino tracking is also fabulous safari activity in Uganda though is less known yet still worthwhile.
Generally, rhino tracking in Uganda is quite an awesome life experience that involves hiking into the jungle with well-trained rangers who help to protect travelers from this unique endangered creature. The rhino tracking can be watched in their natural environment.
In Uganda -Rhino tracking can only be tracked in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary which is among the few locations in East Africa where you can track rhinos on foot and watch them in the wild.
Size; Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary estimates 7,000 hectares of land home to over 32 southern white rhinos which are seen roaming freely in their natural habitat. The southern white rhinos were hunted down and murdered by poachers in Kidepo National Park and Murchison Falls National Park. Therefore, the Wildlife Authority and the Rhino Fund Uganda created the rhino re-introduction campaign to stop it. Today, the endangered rhinos in Uganda can be found in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary which resides along the Gulu highway in Nakitoma village ‘’Nakasongola’’ on the same route that leads toward Murchison Falls.
Upon your arrival to the Ziwa Sanctuary, visit the main office for a briefing from the guides regarding the rhino tracking experience the briefing is all about what to wear, sturdy hiking boots, long pants, bug repellent lotion, and digitalized camera for capturing pictures. Then after the briefing, you will lead by a skilled guide through the tracking trails to go search for them in the savannah plains. The tracking experience can take between 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Rhino tracking is best done in the morning between 8 am and 10 am, it can also be done in the late afternoon, between 4 and 6 pm. The Rhino tracking is best observed during the dry season. However, it is a guided nature walk that gives impressive sights and beautiful sounds of the Ziwa rhino reserve thus rejuvenating.
The reserve is also home to notable bird species such as the Grey-crowned crane, Heuglin’s Francolin, Grey Kestrel, Red-headed Bluebill, Pallid Harrier, Namaqua Dove, Red-headed Malimbe, Marico Sunbird and rare shoebills mentioned few and variety of mammals including chameleons, antelope’s monkeys much more.
How much is Rhino trekking permits in Uganda?
The Foreign nonresident adult pay USD50 and children USD25 and foreign residents pay USD40 and children are charged USD20 whereas East African Citizens pay UGX30,000 and children UGX10,000. They are charged per person per day. The Ziwa Rhino hosts two distinct species of white rhinoceros including the northern and southern subspecies. Despite the fact, white rhinos are grayish in color and can be differentiated from one another by the curve of their lips. Rhinos typically graze in their natural habitat.
While male rhinos are known to protect their territories from invaders. The female rhinos migrate in groups with the younger rhinos. They are easily tracked in the morning and late afternoon when the weather is cool but it’s a bit challenging to track rhinos in the afternoon since they tend to hide throughout the day to avoid too much heat from the sun.
Other activities to do at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary includes; Rhino trekking, Bird watching, Shoebill Canoe riding, and Nature walks among others.
What to carry on Rhino tracking safaris in Uganda;
Insect repellent
Rain poncho during the rainy season
Sunscreen
Sun hat
Waterproof hiking shoes or closed shoes
Flash disc cameras are not accepted as they frighten the Rhino into being defensive while rhino trekking.
