The Rhino Sanctuary

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary lies on the road from Kampala to Masindi and is a great stop to see the White Rhinoceros. Northern white rhinos were once numerous in Uganda until the last one was killed in 1982. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was founded in 2005 to build a sustainable rhinoceros population and relocate rhinos back to their original habitat in Uganda’s protected areas. Since then, the number of Southern white rhinos has increased continually, and soon some of them will have to find a new home, hopefully in one of the national parks.

As the Rhinos are used to people in a distance, this is a walking safari, where you approach the animals on foot. But of course they are not domesticated and if irritated, will attack. We were told not to run, but to try get behind a bush or tree, very reassuring.

We stayed at the Rhino Sanctuary campsite for the night, where a strong fence kept the rhinos away. It was a beautiful night with many noises from the bush while we enjoyed our campfire. As the rhinos like to come to this area for the night, we had a couple of them sleeping just outside the fence and could here their sounds in the dark.

Tomorrow, we will track some other animals, this time a special bird. More next!