Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch — Attraction in Nakasongola

After a temporary closure, the sanctuary is fully open again and under new management: Uganda Wildlife Authority and Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranches Ltd. Tracking rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary - Uganda en route to Murchison Falls, Masindi or Hoima - is one of Uganda's most popular tourist attractions. Tracking the rhinos is a gentle activity that takes between 1 and 2.5 hours. Thank you to the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers Khalid and Jackson who took me on a walking safari to track the rhinos 🦏🦏🦏. They are so passionate about these prehistoric-looking creatures! Their curiosity was contagious. I travelled to see the Southern White Rhinos but it was wonderful to hear new birds (White-crested Turaco) and to learn about the wide variety of species that are thriving thanks to the land's status as a sanctuary. You may also see Uganda kob, warthogs, bushbuck, duiker, hippos, crocodiles and possibly even a sitatunga. Ziwa has 350 bird species. I could imagine staying at Ziwa for two or three nights. In addition to the rhino tracking, you can enjoy nature walks, bird-watching, float out into the swamp in search of the Shoebills, take a night walk ... or simply enjoy being in the bush. 2021 entry prices for adults (over 13 years) are: Foreign non-resident (international tourist) 50 USD; East African resident 40 USD; Ugandan Citizen 30k UGX. 2021 prices for children (aged 6 to 12) are: Foreign non-resident (international tourist) 25 USD; East African resident 20 USD; Ugandan Citizen 10k UGX. On-site accommodation starts at $12 a night for camping ('bed only') rising to $35 per night (full board). Other options include dormitory, budget rooms and a guesthouse. It is all quite basic and is currently being refurbished. I only did a day visit; didn't stay overnight. Accommodation prices depend on whether you have breakfast only, full meals plan etc. (Ugandans pay half price on accommodation; expats and East Africans pay advertised rates). Upmarket accommodation is a few km away at Amuka Lodge.

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If you want to see Rhino in Uganda then this is pretty much your only choice. However be wary. We arrived here at 4:00pm. The check in process was long and tedious, filling out unnecessary forms and even having to provide proof of payment (which had already been provided in advance via email!). Staff were rude and we were told we couldn't see the rhino that day as they were "too far away/sleeping". However when we expressed an interest in doing the Shoebill trek the following morning they then said we could see the rhino, a short drive away from the lodge area. Seeing and being able to be a respectable distance to rhino was amazing hence the two stars! The rhinos and various antelope even come into the lodge area. However the rest of Ziwa isn't so great. The campsite was fenced, had showers, flushing toilets, fire pit and a covered "kitchen" area. We had dinner here which was ok but didn't have the buffet breakfast as it looked pretty inedible and not worth the money. But what really spoilt it was the "Shoebill Trek". After seeing them at Mabamba swamp we thought it would be good to use another opportunity to see them again and yes with wildlife there are no guarantees but we thought we would try. Firstly, Ziwa don't provide transport to see the Shoebill it's about a 20 minute drive away. We had to transport four other tourists in our car, as they didn't have one and although Ziwa knew this they still booked them onto the tour knowing they didn't have the transport to take them!! Considering our car could only take 5 people maximum we were over the limit with 6 people. Secondly you actually do not go into the swamp via boat to find the Shoebill, you drive to a bridge and look from there! So it was basically a bridge tour! After an hour of this we then got to go into the swamp on a boat for the "experience" and got to see the bridge again from another angle! It was a pretty rubbish experience all in all. So if you are after seeing Shoebill then...

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a place to do not miss when traveling in Uganda. I was almost for canceling my trip in Nakitoma and I thanks God I didn't. ||The Sanctuary is a wonderful reserve located near Masindi and not too much far from Kampala (20,000 Ush and 3h-4h from Kampala by matatou) and it hosts a wonderful and vaste environment that allow a symbiosis between human and natural environments and at the same time preserving the place from "invasive" human settlements. The compound is very modest, with only the necessary (offices, accomodations for visitors and workers, a very small shop, a restaurant) and a camping site near. Accomodations were fare and very good to me.||People, among rangers and managers, are extremely friendly. I thank a lot Saleem for his great kindness and friendly manners, or Mary as well.||I did the Rhino trekking with Jackson, who is a wonderful guide. We had to hide in the bushes to do not be spotted too much by the rhino and he almost went inside the bush. An incredible experience. Then I did the nature walk (no so many tourists do it but I strongly advise it) which allowed me a early morning walk in the nature. I was super happy to be with this ranger who worked there for 9 years and he knew all kind of informations concerning tree species and utilizations (wood, fruits etc), animal behaviours etc. and that allowed us to meet very very closely 6 rhinos in the morning! ||To conclude, the Sanctuary will be soon transformed into a breeding area and therefore I encourage anyone to go there because it was incredible! We spotted in total...