ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY TOUR

Rhino Trekking – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

The highlight of any visit is rhino trekking. With a trained ranger guide, you’ll walk through the savannah bush land to see rhinos grazing, wallowing, or nursing their young often from just a few meters away — all on foot, in total safety.  It’s a thrilling, intimate encounter few
safaris in Africa can match.

Tracking can be done along with children above 6 years of age. The activity is guided by well-trained ranger guides who take individuals through the home of the rhinos. After briefing and entering the rhino habitat, individuals will get the opportunity to watch the endangered, magnificent creatures.

The amount of time needed for rhino tracking is about 1 h 30 min and 2 h 30 min depending on where the rhinos are spending their day. This makes it ideal to go rhino tracking in Uganda on just a 1-day tour.

The recommended time for visiting the rhinos is from 08:00h to 10:00h in the morning or from 16:00h to 18:00h in the evening. Requirements for the trek include a permit, closed shoes, long pants, water, and insect repellent.

Rules and Guidelines while tracking Rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

        Like any organized and reputable establishment, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has got set rules that need to be strictly adhered to by visitors. There is a fine of $100 for those who deliberately refuse to abide by the rules. The Guides have full authority to end any activity abruptly if they feel that certain rules are not being followed: Visitors should follow these rules while at the sanctuary:

   Follow instructions given to you by the Sanctuary guides at all times. Feel free to ask them any questions regarding the rules and the animals.

   Report to the Rhino Fund Reception any illegal wildlife kills along the road.

   Any unguided/unauthorized tour activity is considered illegal. This is especially so if it is done beyond 17:30 pm.

           For your own safety and that of the animals, any attempts at feeding or touching them are forbidden.

    Littering is strictly prohibited within the Park. Any litter should be properly disposed
in the available bins.

   Cycling and jogging cannot be done anywhere and at any time within the Sanctuary.

         While at the entrance, declare any firearms, GPS, Pets, Drones or any other item that may cause suspicion.

   Unnecessary noise of any sort within the sanctuary is strictly not allowed. While with the animals, switch off your cell phones or simply put them Silent mode.

 Other Activities at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Beyond rhino tracking, Ziwa offers a variety of eco-tourism activities:

v  Birding with over 300 bird species, including the rare Shoebill Stork: Another prominent activity open to tourist while at the sanctuary is bird watching. This activity can take the whole day and involves guided walks, driving and a boat cruise through the four birding trails. As you move through the swamps, woodlands and the savanna plains you will be able to spot 350 species of bird. Most of them come from the nearby Murchison Falls National Park while others are residents. The top species to look out for is the rare but highly sought out Shoebill Stork. You can also spot the African Black Crake, African Black Headed Oriole, African Citril, African Crowned Eagle, African Darter, African Fish Eagle, African Golden Breasted Bunting, Blue Spotted dove, Booted Eagle, Broad Billed Roller, Bronze Manikini, Brown Backed Srub Robin, Brown Crowned Tchagra, Brown Parrot, Brown Throated Wattle Eye, Cardinal Woodpecker, Giant Abdim’s Stork, Speckled Breasted Woodpecker, White Crested Turaco and many others.

v  Nature Walks: If you are wondering ‘‘is it safe to go on nature walks in Ziwa’’ the answer to this is that the experience is absolutely safe. You will be escorted by a well-trained and experienced armed rangers guide  with a wide knowledge of how to deal with threats during the nature walk. Your guide will also help you identify all the species of animals that you will see. Enjoy remarkable Nature walking adventures in Ziwa during your Visit and experience nature up close. Explore woodlands, swamps, and savannah trails. Walking through the Sanctuary will reward visitors with beautiful scenery of green tropical vegetation and bushes. The great biodiversity in the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is a great taste of the things to come during your Uganda Safari. The Rhinos are the main attractions but the sanctuary has a sizeable number of butterflies, reptiles, primates and mammals. The other mammals roaming the sanctuary are the Bush Duiker, Waterbuck, Ground Squirrels, Oribi, Hartbeest, Mongoose, Grey Duiker, Reedbuck and Bush Bucks. Among the small primates found in the sanctuary are the common Vervet Monkey and the black and white Colobus Monkeys. During your nature walk, look out for the large lizards, pythons, insects and numerous species of butterflies.

v  Night walks: Enjoying your time at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary does not need to end during the day – It can go on well through the night. A guided night walk will allow you discover new sounds under beautiful moonlight in the Africa wilderness you didn’t know existed. As you move through the night with knowledgeable guides, prepare to encounter some of the sanctuary’s nocturnal resident animals, bats and birds.

v  Shoebill Canoe Rides:  Glide through Lugogo swamp in search of this rare prehistoric bird. Immerse yourself deep in the Sanctuaries wetlands and track the elusive prehistoric Shoebill stork. The Shoebill stork trek and canoe rides is one of the major highlights of Uganda Birding safaris and Ziwa safaris. This elusive bird is one of the most sought-after by most bird enthusiasts while travelling to Uganda and one of the best places to spot is in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Sighting this bird during a canoe ride at Ziwa is almost always guaranteed. If you are lucky enough, you will sight about 10 of them during your boat or canoe safari along the wetland area.  You will be very fortunate to see these fantastic prehistoric-looking birds nesting within the swamps.

v  The shoebill and canoe trip starts with a briefing as a team of experienced ranger guides will take you through the briefing about this adventure. You will then embark on your trek to the wetland areas where you will enjoy floating peacefully through the swamps whilst the sun rises above. This experience gives some of the best views for photography.

v  The trek is done in the early morning as you will set off at around 6am. The canoe ride through the swamp at this time gives you the best opportunity to see the shoebill Stork as it gets to the swaps ready to start their day. Besides the shoebill stork, you will also see a number of water birds here. A canoe ride is one of the best ways to explore the bird life in the sanctuary. A must do for all bird lovers that visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. We recommend a night at Ziwa since the Activity starts very early in the Morning and the gates to the Sanctuary open a little late at around 7:30 am. Plan your ultimate birding safari in Uganda with us and experience unmatched safari experiences.

v  Wildlife Viewing – Spot bushbucks, monkeys, and reptiles.