Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Uganda. Rhino tracking safari in Uganda. Rhino seeing Uganda Safari Tour. Enjoy Rhino tracking during your Uganda Safari and see the white Rhinos in Uganda. Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is located in Nakasongola District, about 115Km² north of Kampala capital in Nakitoma Village. It lies near the River Kafu basin and it is strictly a Rhino conservation area. The sanctuary is managed by a Non-Government organization, Rhino Fund Uganda; and a private land company known as Ziwa Ranchers Limited. The two organizations work hand in hand with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to conserve Rhinoceros in order to restore their population in Uganda. The sanctuary is a secure ground for the conservation of the rhinos which are breed, protected from humans and will eventually be transferred to Uganda National Parks. Ziwa Rhino sanctuary lies on a total surface area of about 70Km² and is wholly surrounded by electric fence which keeps the Rhino’s within the sanctuary and keep possible intruders out. The fence is 2 meters high with 14 strands and covers a total area of 45Km².
Ziwa sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where Rhinos are found.However, in the early days, due to an increase of poaching activities, civil wars and the destruction of natural vegetation due to human activities; Rhinos were no more in Uganda by 1982. It is believed that the last Rhino was seen in 1983. After a long term period without Rhino’s in Uganda, Ziwa Rhino sanctuary began operating in 1997 with a total of 6 White Rhino’s trans-located from foreign countries. Among the trans-located rhino’s, four were from Solio game reserve in Kenya and the other two from Disney Animal Kingdom in Florida, United States. By June 2013, the population had increased to 13 Rhino individuals and 15 by April 2014.
The specie is the largest among the Rhinocerotidae family. It falls under the ceratotherium genus and is among the 5 wild game mammals in the world which include lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard. White rhinoceros are further subdivided into northern white rhinoceros which live in the southern Asia and are few in number; and the southern white rhinoceros living in the African continent and is estimated to be composed of about 20,000 individualsworldwide according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Northern White rhinoceros are scientifically known as ceratotherium simum cottoni while Southern White Rhinoceros are known as Ceratotherium simum simum. The Rhinoswere named from the Ancient Greek language, Latin. The word Rhinoceros is derived from the word ῥῑνόκερως. The first letters ῥῑνο mean nose and the last letters κερως mean horn. The plural of the word in English is Rhinoceros. The name has been present since the 14th century. The species has a broad chest, large body and head with a short neck. The body length is usually 3.5 to 4.6m long and shoulder height at 1.8 to 2m high. Females weigh up to about 1,600Kg and males 2,400Kg. It has horns on its stout, the front one being larger and longer with a length of about 90cm to 150cm. Just like the black rhino, white rhinos are yellowish brown to stale grey in color.One of the factors that distinguish it from other Rhino species is the shape of the lips. White rhinos have relatively squared lips while the black rhinos have a pointed upper lip. The difference in the lips is as a result of difference in diet. White rhinos feed on grass, walking with their enormous heads lowered to the ground in search of grass. When they raise their heads, it means they are alarmed or agitated. Black rhinos however eat from trees and bushes. They feed on leaves and fruit from branches of the trees. White rhinos live in grassy plains, sometimes grouping up to 12 members. During hot days, they hide under shades and at times look for a water body with mud; rolling to make a sun mud skin coating which also acts as an insect or bud repellant. Males reach sexual maturity at the age of 10 to 12 years of age while females at the age of 4 to 5 years of age. However, they are able to give birth from the age of 6 to 7 years of age. Mating occurs throughout the year. However, in East Africa, it is believed that the rhinos mate most from February to June. Females have a gestation period of approximately 16 months and give birth to a single calf every two to five years. Rhinos are one of the special mammals with special senses and skill. They have a keen sense of smell and sharp hearing abilities. They can find one another by following the scent.
The sanctuary is home to over 300 bird species with some being of the rare African species, making it one of the prime bird viewing destinations. Some of the birds include Shoebill stork, Nubian woodpecker, African Jacana, African green pigeon, African hawk eagle, African morning dove, African fish eagle, African golden-breasted bunting and many more.
There are 15 Rhinos in the 70Km² sanctuary. They include Taleo, Moja, Hasani, Nandi, Obama, Malaika, Baby Uhuru, Bella, Augustu, Donna, Lunna, Kori, Justice, Laloyo and Waribe. Among the 15 rhinos, 6 are male and 9 are female.
Moja: He is approximately 16yrs old and is one of the for that were trans-located from Kenya. Moja is derived from a Swahili word meaning number one. Just like his name states, Moja is the dominant male, who recently over threw Taleo.
Hasani: He is approximately 14 years old and is one of the two that were trans-located from Florida, United States.
Nandi: She is about 16yrs old and is among the two rhinos that were trans-located from Florida, United States. She is the lead female in the sanctuary and extremely aggressive. She is mother to 3; Obama, Malaika and baby Uhuru.
Obama: Born on the 24th June 2009, he is the first Ugandan born rhino ever since the extinction in 1983. Just like the President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama, Obama has a Kenyan father and American mother. He is almost making 7yrs of age and his father and mother are Taleo and Nandi respectively.
Malaika: Though not the first born Ugandan rhino, she is the first Ugandan born female rhino ever since the extinction in 1983. Born on the 4th June 2011, Malaika’s parents are Nandi and Taleo. The name malaika is derived from a Swahili word which means ‘angel’. She is nearing 6yrs of age.
Uhuru: She is the youngest rhino in the sanctuary, nearing 3years of age. She was born on the 1st June 2013 with parents Nandi and Taleo. The name Uhuru is derived from a Swahili word which means Independent.
Bella:She is approximately 16yrs of age and is one of the four rhinos that were trans-located from Kenya. She is the calmest of all rhinos in the sanctuary and is mother to 3. They include Augustu, Donna and Lunna.
Augustu:Born on the 7th October 2009, is the second Ugandan born rhino ever since the extinction in 1983. Augustu is nearing 6yrs of age and is literally the largest of all Ugandan born rhinos. His parents are Bella and Taleo.
Donna: The name is derived from a Spanish word ‘belladonna’ which literally means beautiful day. Born on the 10th January 2012, Donna is nearing 4yrs of age. Her parents are Bella and Taleo.
Luna: She is the youngest of all rhinos in the Sanctuary. Born on the 3rd April 2014, Luna is nearing 2yrs of age. The name Luna is derived from a Greek word meaning ‘moon’.
Justice: He was born on the 7th October 2009 and is nearing 7yrs of age. His parents are Kori and Taleo.
Laloyo: She was born on the 15th January 2012 and is nearing 4yrs of age. The name Laloyo is derived from an Acholi word which means victory. Her parents are Kori and Taleo.
Waribe: The name is derived from a Luo word which means ‘come together’. She was born on the 15th January 2014 and is nearing 2yrs of age. Her parents are Kori and Taleo.
The sanctuary boosts over 300 bird species which can be viewed on four trails within the sanctuary; stretching across woodlands, savannah and swamps. One of the most popular but rare bird, Shoebill Stork is however the most ‘looked out for’ bird. An early morning canoe safari on the Lugogo swamp makes viewing of the rare birds species possible.
The lodge was almost entirely handcrafted using mahogany beams and timber planks. It has 8 units, 2 chalets each having two bedrooms, four deluxe chalets each having one bedroom, 2 units each having 3 bedrooms. All chalets are complete with large, personal verandas where visitors can lounge on safari chairs and take in the serenity of the surroundings. All accommodation units are en-suite.
NB: Lunch accompanied with a soft Drink is excluded, but can be ordered at a Rate charge of US$14.
Children between 4 to 12 yrs of age have a 50% discount. Below four years are free of charge.
Drive distance between Kampala capital and Luwero’s capital, Wobulenzi, is about 42Km and lasts for about 1hr.
From wobulenzi to Nakasongola, drive distance is about 68Km and lasts for about 55min.
There is an additional drive distance of 56Km off the Kampala Gulu highway from Nakasongola center to the sanctuary and lasts about 45min drive distance.