Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – The Life of the Rhinos in Uganda

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a collaborative effort between the Rhino Fund Uganda, a Ugandan NGO committed to restoring Uganda’s rhinoceros population, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The sanctuary provides a haven where rhino populations can grow through breeding, shielding them from both human and non-human predators. Furthermore, the project aims to gradually reintroduce these majestic animals into Uganda’s national parks. In the meantime, the public can still visit and enjoy the rhinos as conservation efforts continue.

To ensure their safety, a team of approximately 80 Park rangers and security guards maintains a 24-hour watch over the rhinos. Additionally, a 2-metre (6.6 ft) electric fence surrounds the 70-square-kilometre (7,000 ha) sanctuary to keep the rhinos secure and prevent intruders from entering.

The sanctuary is home to at least 40 mammal and reptilian species, including monkeys, antelopes, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and numerous bird species. In addition to rhino trekking on foot, tourist activities include birding, canoe rides and nature walks.

Approximately 180 kilometres (110 mi) north of Kampala, the sanctuary sits near Nakitoma Village in Nakasongola District. Specifically, travellers can find this site in the Kafu River Basin, just a short distance off the Kampala-Gulu highway.