Rhino Tracking Tours in Uganda

Rhino Tracking Tours in Uganda

Everything you must know about rhino tracking tours in Uganda. How does the idea of stalking one of the Big Five Game through the bush sound? Rare and remarkable? Get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of walking in the footsteps of Uganda’s only free-ranging population of near-threatened Southern white Rhinos. Feel your heart catch in your throat as a rhino gets wind of you, nostrils flaring. Rhino tracking tours sometimes sound scary, but getting up close to this near-threatened big game on foot is possible. Revel in the privilege of observing them on foot, in the wild. Just as nature intended. It might not be easy, but it can be done in the capable hands of an expert Ranger guide team.

Southern White rhino populations across the African continent are in danger. For this reason, you can cherish the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter them on foot, led by seasoned Uganda Wildlife Authority Rangers. Follow these majestic flat and broad-mouthed creatures as they lumber about their natural habitat, Protected by your visit. Thanks to the training and experiences of these Rangers, visitors’ safety is the priority. Visitors are therefore advised to always listen to the safety briefing and obey the guidelines.

Known for their calmer and more placid behavior, probably because of their poor eye-sight, the southern White Rhinos have a predictable nature and are the most tracked during African safaris. Weighing up to 350 stone, these gentle Giants can surprisingly run much faster than any human.

Where to go for Rhino Tracking Tours in Uganda

Rhino tracking tours are one of Uganda’s highly specialized safari adventures, and can only be done in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Thanks to the location of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (along the Kampala- Gulu highway) in Nakasongola district, it is possible for visitors to explore the site while on their way to Kidepo and Murchison National Parks. This makes it possible to tick the Big Five Game off your bucket list.

This 70-square-kilometer Sanctuary has been in existence since 2005. It was established with the sole goal of re-introducing the southern white Rhinos which once roamed some of the savannah National Parks and Reserves of Uganda. A site that began with only 6 Rhinos now shelters over 42 Rhinos (as of 2023), hence making it possible for visitors to visit them during Rhino Tracking Tours in Uganda.  The Sanctuary became the new home for the first 6 southern white Rhinos, with their first beautiful Rhino Calf welcomed in 2008 (3 years after it was established).

Southern white rhinos 

The southern white Rhinos, whilst massively powerful with a foreboding appearance and presence are still the calmest, most placid, and endearing to most wildlife enthusiasts. Although they are massive and heavy, and stand approximately 2 meters (7 feet), they are far from cumbersome. The Rangers teams at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary undergo extensive training to track game through the bush on foot. Their expert knowledge about how to read the signs left behind by these Gentle Giants roaming in the bush allows them to pick up every detail- nothing goes unnoticed. While the World still holds its breath about the fate of these Big Five Game due to widespread poaching and habitat endangerment, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary provides a haven for the Southern White Rhinos.

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers Rhino Tracking Tours that also allow animal lovers to discover Mother Nature’s hidden wonders in specially tailored walking tours through the 7000-hectare Wilderness. Expert Ranger guides share their wealth of wilderness and Rhino knowledge with you, from the identification of plants, other wildlife (that include warthogs, Uganda Kobs, Oribis, bushbucks, and others), birds, and butterfly species. Discover the excitement of, after one and a half to two and a half of tacking spoors and clues through varying vegetation, eventually finding a crash of Rhinos in all their glory. You can enjoy an unforgettable Rhino tracking tour in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and spend overnight/s at the incredible Amuka Safari Lodge, or try out the Camping option.

A typical Rhino tracking adventure begins with a safety briefing where the UWA Ranger will go into more detail and inform you about what to expect. These specialized bush walks with an armed Ranger and guide team take place between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.

How much do Rhino tracking Tours cost in Uganda?

Rhino Tracking Tours in Uganda cost $50 per person for Foreign non-residents, $45 per person for foreign residents (living in East Africa), and Shs.40,000 for East African Residents. These costs only include entry fees, Ranger guide fees, and the activity. The cost also excludes transport to and from the Sanctuary, accommodation, meals, and tips.

Best time to enjoy Rhino tracking tours in Uganda

Rhinos tracking can be done anytime between 7 am and 5 pm, but early morning and late afternoons (or sunset) are the best times for optimal experiences. These are the times when these big mammals emerge from the dense vegetation. As the day heats up, they retire to the share underneath the bush or woodland, hence difficult to see during afternoon periods. Remember that the African sun can be unforgiving during the day.

When it comes to months, it is worth noting that Rhino tracking is available all year round. However, the dry season- January, February, June, July, August, September, and December is preferred because there are fewer rain downpours. This means tracks/paths are less muddy or slippery and, hence easier to navigate. Also, reduced rains mean vegetation is sparser hence providing easier visibility of these Gentle Giants or other wildlife species.

The rainy season- March, April, May, October, and November is marked by increased rainfall, which makes vegetation bloom thus providing an incredible background for photography. However, several challenges come with increased rainfall, and these include more challenging treks as paths become muddy and slippery.

What to Pack for your Rhino Tracking Tour in Uganda

You will need a long-sleeved shirt (or a polo t-shirt with a collar) to reduce the effects of the sunburn. You also need full-length safari pants, which should be tucked into your long cotton socks to avoid scrawling insects. Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, and in neutral colors. A pair of sturdy hiking boots is also recommended for Rhino tracking in Uganda, as some terrains are harsh and arid, bushy with horns and grass burrs hence likely to injure your feet when wearing sandals or open shoes.

You also need gaiters to protect you from thistles, grass burrs, and thorns that get everywhere. A wide-brimmed safari hat is also handy for sun protection during Rhino tracking tours in Uganda. Similarly, it is advisable to pack sunglasses if your eyes are sensitive to the sun’s glare. A good camera plus lenses, extra batteries, and memory cards is recommended. It’s not often that you’ll get up close and personal with Rhinos in the wild. For this reason, ensure that your camera is well-charged and extra memory space is saved.

You also need a pair of binoculars to capture small and far creatures during Rhino tracking, a backpack for storing personal belongings, an insect repellant, and a reusable water bottle (you will need a lot of water during the Rhino tracking tour). Don’t leave out sunscreen, a basic first aid kit, and some energy-giving snacks. In conclusion, Rhino tracking tours in Uganda are an incredible way of ticking the Big Five Game off your bucket list. This once-in-a-lifetime activity makes it possible for animal lovers to walk in the footsteps of Uganda’s only free-ranging population of near-threatened Southern white Rhinos.