A private wildlife ranch in northwest Uganda, called Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, was founded in 2005 with the goal of reintroducing Southern White Rhinos to the wild. Imagine a place where you can get up close with rhinoceroses, one of the most magnificent and endangered animals on the planet.
Every corner offers a chance for a unique wildlife encounter with one of Africa’s most recognizable creatures, while the air is filled with the sounds of nature. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is one of the most successful conservation stories in the world.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a protected area for the conservation of the white rhino, one of Africa’s most endangered animals. It is located in the Nakasongola District in northeastern Uganda, just outside Murchison Falls National Park.
The Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch plays an important role in global efforts to save these amazing creatures. Visitors can go rhino trekking on foot, take night treks and environmental hikes, and observe different bird species, including the elusive shoebill.
All of the “Big Five” African safari species can be seen on a Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park, which includes a visit to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch.
The big four—the lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo—can be seen up close on a game drive and boat safari in Murchison Falls. After that, visitors can see rhinoceroses at Ziwa.
A Brief History about Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Rhinos, which have evolved into two species—black and white rhinos—have been an important part of our world for millions of years. These magnificent animals symbolize power, spirituality, protection, and harmony with nature. They have been respected and admired in African culture for centuries.
The current ranch is located on a cattle farm that Captain Roy and his family established in 1983. For nearly twenty years, it operated as a cattle farm and introduced unique livestock. However, in 2002, after much discussion with Yvonne Verkakik, the Executive Director of the Rhino Fund, the Roy family decided to turn the property into a sanctuary for white rhinos.
To make room for the rhinos, they relocated 7,000 cattle. At the time, rhinos had gone extinct in Uganda due to poaching, so it made sense to protect this incredible species.
In 2005, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was officially created with the goal of returning Southern White Rhinos to their natural habitat in the area surrounding Murchison Falls National Park. Initially, six Southern White Rhinos were introduced to the ranch. Today, that number has grown to 34, and the sanctuary expects it to increase even further.
The goal of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is to restore these magnificent animals to the wild, allowing them to roam the plains as they did in the past. Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch Limited, in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, has worked to protect and manage the species. Together, they hope to relocate rhinos to other Ugandan national parks so they can coexist with other wildlife.
Animals in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The main purpose of Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is to provide a safe home for rhinoceroses. However, the 27-square-mile protected area also includes savannahs, wetlands, and forests, which attract a variety of other fascinating wildlife.
The sanctuary is home to many mammal species, including the rhinoceros, the elusive leopard, the giant pangolin, oribi, waterbuck, bushbuck, Ugandan kob, bohor reedbuck, common duiker, warthog, vervet monkey, bushpig, aardvark, and scrub hare. Visitors can go on game drives, canoe rides, or nature walks to observe these incredible animals in their natural habitat.
