Rhinos were wiped out in Uganda by the early 1980s. Ziwa is where they are coming back. The sanctuary covers about 70 km² of bush and swamp between Kampala and Murchison Falls, and the first southern white rhinos were brought here in 2005. The population has since grown steadily, with calves born in the sanctuary.
What makes Ziwa special is that you track the rhinos on foot with a ranger, walking quietly through the grass until you are standing a safe distance from them. It fits neatly into the drive to Murchison, and for many of our guests it becomes one of the most memorable hours of the trip.
Southern white rhinos are the reason to come, and the sanctuary is the base for restocking Uganda’s national parks. You may also see bushbuck, oribi, waterbuck and vervet monkeys, and the swamps hold shoebill, along with a good variety of waterbirds and woodland species.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Low, flat country of tall grass, acacia and scattered woodland, with papyrus swamps along the lower ground. It is not dramatic scenery, but it is open enough to follow the rhinos easily.
Activities here
Ziwa is warm year-round, with daytime temperatures around 25 to 30°C. The main rains fall from March to May and October to November.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30 | 16 | 30 |
| Feb | 31 | 17 | 50 |
| Mar | 30 | 17 | 100 |
| Apr | 29 | 17 | 150 |
| May | 28 | 17 | 130 |
| Jun | 28 | 16 | 70 |
| Jul | 27 | 16 | 70 |
| Aug | 27 | 16 | 100 |
| Sep | 28 | 16 | 110 |
| Oct | 29 | 16 | 120 |
| Nov | 29 | 16 | 90 |
| Dec | 29 | 16 | 40 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
June to September and December to February are the driest months. Tracking is easier in shorter grass, and mornings are the most comfortable time to walk before the midday heat.
The main rains fall from March to May, with a second, shorter season in October and November. Grass grows tall and paths can be wet, but rhino tracking continues and the rhinos are usually still found.
Rhino tracking works all year. The dry months are more comfortable for walking, and early mornings are better than midday in any season.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb, Jun to Sep
Ziwa is about 3 hours by road north of Kampala on the Gulu road, and roughly 2 to 3 hours further to Murchison Falls, which makes it an easy stop on that journey.
Rhino tracking at Ziwa is on foot with a ranger, and the entry fee is included in our safaris. Please see the Uganda page for visa details.
Rhino tracking is a gentle walk on flat ground, suitable for most ages. A yellow fever certificate is needed to enter Uganda, so please carry it with your passport. Wear neutral colours, a hat and sun protection, and drink plenty of water. Malaria is present, so please take advice from a travel clinic.
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“Go early if you can”
We like to arrive at Ziwa early, or stay the night nearby, so we can walk in the cool of the morning when the rhinos are grazing rather than resting in thick bush. The rangers know each animal by name and will tell you its story. It is a quiet, respectful experience, and a real conservation success to see with your own eyes.
Safaris from
US$216 per person
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