Ziwa Rhino Tracking

Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is a private, Wildlife sanctuary in Uganda. Established in 2005 to re-introduce Southern White Rhinos in the wild, the ranch is the only place in the country, where one can observe these endangered creatures in the wild. As of June 2024, the ranch was home to 41 rhinos. The ranch is located approximately 164 kilometres (102 mi), by road, north of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city. This location is in Nakitoma, near Mukerenge Village, Nakasongola District, in the Kafu River Basin, off of the Kampala–Gulu Highway.

Both the Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) and the Northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), are indigenous to Uganda. However, due to  prolonged armed human conflict, poaching and the mismanagement of their natural habitat, by 1982, both species had been wiped out in the country. Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch was established in 2005 to reintroduce the southern white rhinoceros to Uganda. The long-term goal of the ranch is to “build a sustainable rhinoceros population and relocate rhinos back to their original habitat in Uganda’s protected areas”. As of January 2010, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch was the only location in Uganda, where rhinos can be observed in their natural habitat.

Starting with a total of six animals, four that were bought from Solio Ranch in Kenya and two donated from Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, in the United States, the rhino population had grown to thirteen as of June 2013. Following the birth of another calf in April 2014, the total rhino population at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch rose to 15. As of March 2018, the rhino numbers at the ranch had increased to twenty-two animals, and 33 in December 2021. The population has increased to 50 as of June 2024.

You will not only see the Rhinos but also other 40 mammal species including Mongoose, Vevert monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys and Antelopes like the waterbucks and elands among others. Over 300 bird species including the rare shoebill stork and the Giant kingfishers call the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary home.