Rules and guidelines to follow while tracking Rhinos at Rhino sanctuary : The Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is located in Nakasongola district, which is found in the Central region of Uganda and is about 164kilometers from Kampala along the kampala-Gulu highway. This Ziwa Rhino sanctuary was established in 2005 and covers an area of about 70 square kilometers. This Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is a private and non- profit company that works together with the Uganda Wildlife Authority with an aim of increasing the numbers of Rhinos within the country and also managing and protecting the Rhinos in their natural habitats.
The Ziwa Rhino is known to be a home to over 300 bird species such as; the African duiker, blue spotted dove, booted eagle, brown parrot, broad billed roller, bronze manikini, brown throated wattle eye, giant abdim’s stork, white crested turaco, speckled breasted woodpecker, African citril, African balck headed oriole, African black crake, African darter, African golden breasted bunting, cardinal wood pecker, brown backed srub robin, booted eagle among others. more so, the sanctuary also harbours around 40 mammal species and primate species like; hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, lions, elephants, black colobus monkeys, bush duiker, ground squirrels, reedbuck, vervet monkeys, leopards, buffaloes, white colobus monkeys, grey duiker, waterbucks, oribi, hartebeest among others. the Ziwa rhino sanctuary is surrounded and enclosed with a 2 meters high electric fence with an aim of reducing continuous poaching activities and protect the sanctuary from other predators and there is an estimated large numbers of over 78 park rangers and security guards whose main role is to protect and maintain a 24 our surveillance of the Rhino species.
However, tourists during their Uganda safari in the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, they have several opportunities of not only doing rhino trekking activity but also engage in other several activities like; bird watching where they get to see bird species like the rare shoebill stork, canoe riding, boat cruise, hiking, guided nature walks among others.
Rules and guidelines to follow while tracking Rhinos.
The Rhino tracking activity at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary normally takes about one to two hours depending on where the Rhinos are located but before these tourists go to track, they are always briefed on a few things most especially on how to handle themselves accordingly. In addition, tourists should note that whoever does not follow the rules is required to pay a fine of 100USD. These rules and guidelines include;
- Because they are always accompanied with a park ranger/ guide, tourists are encouraged to always follow the instructions given to them by their guide in order to keep safe.
Ziwa Rhino sanctuary - Tourists during the rhino tracking, they are always given free chances to ask any questions concerning the animals and anything they would love to understand better while within the sanctuary.
- Tourists are advised to report to the Rhino fund reception in case they observe any illegal wildlife kills along the road during the tracking.
- Tourists are also required to present their permits at the park headquarters before tracking.
- More so, individuals are required to acquire their rhino permits at least 6 months in advance in order to avoid any inconveniences.
- Tourists are advised to avoid eating and drinking while in the presence of the Rhinos.
- Unauthorized and unguided tour activities that are carried out beyond 17:30pm within the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is considered as illegal.
- Tourists are also advised to avoid littering the sanctuary and dispose the unwanted objects like bottles in the available dustbins.
- Tourists are encouraged to avoid running while in the Ziwa rhino sanctuary because this may attract the rhinos to run after you which may lead to harm.
- Tourists are advised to keep their voices low while they are towards or within the sanctuary.
- More so, individuals are encouraged to switch off their phones or put them in silence in order to avoid scaring the rhinos.
- During the period when tourists use their phones and cameras to take pictures and record videos, they are always advised to disable the flashlight.
- While at the entrance, tourists are always advised to represent the pets, drones, and declare any GPS, fire flames, drones that may lead to any suspicion.
- Tourists are also advised to pack the following items while planning to go track the Rhinos in the sanctuary; good hiking boots, insect repellant, packed food or snacks, sun scream, bottled drinking water, a hat, and wear long sleeved shirts and a pair of long trousers, Rules and guidelines to follow while tracking Rhinos at Rhino sanctuary.
Trekking rhinos within the ziwa rhino sanctuary is a thrilling and an adventurous activity that takes about 1 to 2 hours depending on where the rhinos are located. This activity starts in the morning from 8:00am to 10:00am and in the evening from 4:00pm to 6:00pm and it is best done during the dry season between months of June to August and December to February however tourists can go for Rhino trekking at any time in the year. More so, tourists planning to trek the Rhinos will be required to pay a cost of 40USD per person for the non-residents and 40 USD for the East African residents. Tourists during the Rhino trekking activities capture classic views of the Rhinos because they are always in a close range on foot and they are easily spotted with the bushes and the beautiful tropical vegetation and within the savanna grasslands and woodlands.
Contact our trusted and experienced tour operators in case of any more inquires and information about the rules and guidelines to follow while planning to go track rhinos and Book with our tours and travels companies like Achieve Global Safaris and Explore tours Rwanda for the best tour packages on your safari to the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary in Uganda.
