Visit Wild white Rhinos in Uganda
The rhinoceros, or simply rhino, is possibly the most captivating animals of African Big Five. The best place to visit the rhinos in Uganda is Ziwa Rhino Ranch near Murchison Falls National Park. You enter the ranch together with an expert local ranger guide. The experience starts with a short drive through the wildlife ranch. Once you are near the rhinos, you proceed on foot. You get incredibly close, to within just a few tens of meters.
The story of Rhinos in Uganda
Originally, there were two species of rhinos in Uganda: black rhinos and northern white rhinos. By the early 1980s, they had disappeared. Poaching, trafficking, and political turmoil under Idi Amin wiped out populations that once reached around 700 animals. For more than twenty years, there were no rhinos in Uganda.
That changed in 2005. Rhino Fund Uganda launched a project to bring them back. They approached Captain Joseph Charles Roy, former pilot and owner of Ziwa cattle ranch, which they had targeted as prime rhino habitat, with the idea that he should move the herds of cattle out, and rhino in. Roy – a lover of animals and an aspiring conservationist agreed.
In 2005 and 2006, six southern white rhinos were introduced. Four came from Kenya by road. Two flown over from Disney Animal Kingdom Florida on Roy’s own cargo airline. Northern white rhinos could not be reintroduced. Their numbers were too low. Today, only two remain in the world, and both are female.
No one fully expected what happened next. The team knew the Ziwa ranch was an ideal habitat for the species – a mix of swamps, savannah and woodland – but they didn’t envisage the scale of success. Today, there are 48 rhinos at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. And they are doing well. The population is growing.
In March 2026, two more white rhinos were released into Kidepo National Park by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). This is a significant step, as it marks the beginning of the return of rhinos to this park in northeastern Uganda.
In the coming period, more rhinos will be introduced with the aim of slowly rebuilding the population and giving this iconic species a place in the wild of Kidepo Valley National Park once again. It is an ambitious and hopeful project that demonstrates how seriously Uganda is committed to nature conservation and ecosystem restoration.
Today, there are over 48 rhinos living in Uganda. And they are doing well. The population is growing.
Walking to the rhinos
What exactly can you expect from your visit? Your adventure begins with a drive into Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. From there, you step out and continue on foot for the final stretch toward a group of rhinos. This is what makes the experience so unique. And don’t worry: a trained ranger is always by your side. They understand the animals and guide you safely.
Rhinos are truly enormous. An adult male can weigh more than 2,000 kilos. Seeing them up close is when you really grasp their size. Yet, despite their strength, many people experience them as calm and gentle. When you look into their eyes, something stays with you. You see a powerful and massive animal, but also one that feels surprisingly vulnerable
Despite their size, rhinoceroses are seen by most people as very likeable animals. If you look closely into their eyes, there is something touching about it.
Visiting rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Ranch
Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is a sanctuary. This means that the rhinos are monitored day and night. For study purposes and to protect them.
The ranch is fully dedicated to bringing rhinos back to Uganda. You may see some smaller animals, like antelopes, but there are no other large mammals here. The area is vast, covering about 70 square kilometers. There are no visible fences. It feels wild and natural, giving the rhinos space to grow, adapt, and move freely.
The rhinos originally lived in multiple parks. This is a way to restore what once was.
Want to read more in preparation for your trip to Uganda? We regularly write blogs to help you on your way.
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