Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: A Must-do in Uganda
If you’re planning a trip through Uganda, make sure you include Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on your itinerary. You’ll get to see rhinos up close on foot and in their natural habitat!
It’s more than just a wildlife stop; it’s one of Africa’s most inspiring conservation success stories.
And I loved here! So much so, I’ll be going back again next summer for the third time!
From 6 Rhinos to 48: A Conservation Triumph
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was established in 2005 with a bold vision: to reintroduce rhinos to Uganda, where they had been completely wiped out due to poaching and conflict.
They started with just six rhinos, a mix of Southern white rhinos donated from Kenya and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the U.S.
Fast forward to today, and that number has grown to an incredible 60+ rhinos. This makes Ziwa the most successful rhino breeding program on the continent: a monumental achievement in wildlife conservation.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has already begun releasing rhinos into the national parks! Which means for the first time in 43 years, there are rhinos in the wild again!!
What to Expect on a Visit
At Ziwa, you can track rhinos on foot with expert guides who know the sanctuary inside and out. It’s not just thrilling to be that close to these massive animals, it’s honestly a bit emotional. (And a tiny bit scary because these animals are MASSIVE!)
And while a day trip is absolutely worthwhile, I highly recommend staying overnight if you can. Their luxury chalets are beautiful. Definitely opt for the chalets or luxury tents! They are a bit more expensive but all the money goes to a good cause of saving the rhinos so it’s totally worth it 😉
There’s a pool overlooking the bush, and if you’re lucky, you might wake up to rhinos sleeping just outside your chalet or wandering past in the morning light. I have even had rhinos sleeping next to my chalet and warthogs sleeping underneath!! Talk about an immersive African experience!
A Few Pro Tips
- Closed-toe shoes are essential for rhino tracking. The sanctuary provides mud boots, which come in handy depending on the terrain and weather.
- Do the night walk. While spotting elusive creatures like leopards is rare, the walk itself, under a sky full of stars, with sleeping rhinos nearby, is pure magic. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, making it one of the most unexpectedly peaceful and memorable parts of our trip.
- Book the luxury chalets. These are the best rooms on the property and worth the overnight stay!! The pool is right out front and your chances for a close rhino encounter are high!
Stay, Eat, Shop, Support
I recommend staying one night and opting for full board! They usually have a lunch buffet from 11am-3pm. It’s always good, local food and you might even see wildlife right from your table!
For dinner, they usually do a 3 course meal. Often soup or salad, a main then included dessert like strawberry mousse. Soda and water was included with our package but any alcohol was extra. They have a full service pool bar and a bar at the restaurant!
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary also has a cute little gift shop with locally made crafts and souvenirs. Your purchases help support the sanctuary and surrounding communities. They have cute t-shirts, hats, stickers, etc.
Wearing a custom African dress from Yimba Fashions
Additional activities at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
In addition to rhino tracking, you can also go on birdwatcing tours and a guided night walk safari with a guide (and an armed guard!)
I’ve done the nightwalk at Ziwa twice now and loved it. When I went last it was an additional $25 pp and you walk for roughly 2 hours through the flat terrain to see the stars, rhinos at night, all sorts of wildlife and potentially even leopards!!
Be Part of Something Bigger
Visiting Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary isn’t just about seeing rhino, it’s about helping save them. Every entry fee, every night’s stay, every meal you eat helps fund one of the most important conservation programs in Africa.
So whether you stop in for a half-day or settle in for the night, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers a chance to connect with Uganda’s wildlife in a powerful, meaningful way.
I cannot recommend it enough! Please go support this amazing place! You’ll be guaranteed to fall even more in love with Uganda, Africa and the rhinos.
Want to visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary with me personally? Join my next Uganda group trip!
