Go To Africa Safaris
There is something different about seeing a rhino on foot.
At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you leave the safari vehicle behind and walk into the bush with an experienced ranger in search of southern white rhinos. The experience is not simply about seeing one of Africa’s largest mammals; it is an opportunity to understand Uganda’s conservation journey and the remarkable effort to bring rhinos back to the country.
Located in Nakasongola District, about 176 kilometres north of Kampala along the Kampala–Gulu highway, Ziwa is conveniently positioned on the route to Murchison Falls National Park, making it an excellent addition to a northern Uganda safari.
Uganda once had wild populations of both black rhinos and northern white rhinos. Years of conflict, poaching and habitat loss eventually wiped them out from the country.
In 2005, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was established as part of efforts to reintroduce southern white rhinos to Uganda. The sanctuary has since become an important centre for rhino conservation, breeding and protection.
The conservation story continues to develop. In 2026, Uganda began moving some southern white rhinos from Ziwa to other protected areas, including Ajai Wildlife Reserve and Kidepo Valley National Park, as part of efforts to restore rhinos to suitable habitats across the country.
So when you visit Ziwa, you are not just visiting a wildlife attraction. You are seeing part of a much bigger conservation story.
This is the main reason most travellers visit Ziwa.
After meeting your ranger, you head into the sanctuary on foot to look for the rhinos. Depending on where the animals are, the walk can take around one to two hours.
Along the way, your ranger helps you read the environment, follow signs of rhino activity and understand the behaviour of these impressive animals. Eventually, you may find yourself standing quietly near a rhino as it feeds, rests or moves through the vegetation.
It is a very different experience from watching wildlife from a safari vehicle. You are walking through the same landscape and paying attention to tracks, vegetation, sounds and movement.
The experience is carefully managed, with rangers responsible for keeping visitors and wildlife safe.
Ziwa covers a large area of woodland, grassland and wetland habitats, supporting a variety of wildlife and bird species. The sanctuary is also known for birdwatching, nature walks and other wildlife experiences.
For birders, the wetlands around Ziwa can be particularly interesting, with opportunities to look for species including the shoebill and other wetland and woodland birds.
This makes Ziwa worth considering for travellers who have more time than a simple rhino-tracking stop.
Walk through the sanctuary with a trained ranger to locate and observe southern white rhinos in their natural-looking environment.
Explore the sanctuary’s different habitats in search of Uganda’s diverse birdlife, including wetland species.
Take a slower look at the sanctuary beyond the rhinos, with opportunities to appreciate its vegetation, smaller wildlife and birdlife.
Learn about Uganda’s rhino conservation history, the reintroduction programme and the ongoing work to protect and restore rhino populations.
Ziwa works especially well as part of a safari travelling north from Kampala or Entebbe towards Murchison Falls National Park.
Instead of spending the entire journey on the road, you can break the trip with a memorable wildlife experience. After tracking rhinos, you can continue towards Murchison Falls for game drives and a boat safari on the Nile.
For travellers interested in seeing Africa’s Big Five, Ziwa can also add the rhino experience to a wider Uganda safari itinerary.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary can be visited throughout the year. Your experience may vary depending on weather and the location of the rhinos, so flexibility is useful.
For a more comfortable walking experience, it is generally advisable to plan your tracking earlier in the day and follow your ranger’s guidance on the best timing.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is approximately 176 kilometres north of Kampala along the Kampala–Gulu highway. The sanctuary is accessed around Nakitoma, making it a convenient stop when travelling towards Murchison Falls National Park.
It can be visited as a day trip or incorporated into a longer Uganda safari.
At Wild Roots Africa Safaris, we believe that some of the best safari experiences are the ones that allow you to slow down and understand the place you are visiting.
We can include Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in a tailor-made Uganda itinerary, whether you want to combine rhino tracking with Murchison Falls, explore more of northern Uganda or build a wider wildlife and conservation-focused safari.
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