Ziwa rhino And wildlife ranch

Ziwa Rhino and wildlife RANCH

Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch (formerly Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary) is more than just a wildlife sanctuary; it is a story of hope and resurrection. After the poachers killed the last wild rhino in Uganda during the turbulent 1970s and early 1980s, the legacy of these ancient giants seemed lost forever. Ziwa was established to rectify this mistake. Today, it is the best place in Uganda to see rhinos in the wild. The ranch is located in Nakasongola District, about 176 km from Kampala, and it is a popular stop on the way to Murchison Falls National Park.

The name Ziwa is a reminder of its original use and the landscape. The area was formerly a cattle ranch called “Ziwa Ranchers.” “Ziwa” is a Swahili word meaning simply “lake” or “pond.” It refers to the vital waterholes and the adjacent marsh in this otherwise rather arid cattle region. What once served as a water source for cattle is now the lifeline for the rhinos.

The experience here is incomparably intense. To see rhinos, you have to track them on foot. You will enter the ranch together with an experienced ranger guide who keeps you safe while you approach these magnificent animals. You cover the first part by car. As soon as you are near the rhinos, you continue on foot. You get incredibly close, to within just a few tens of meters. When you stand in a clearing and a two-ton rhino mother and her calf are peacefully grazing nearby, you feel the vulnerability and, at the same time, the majestic power of these animals up close. It’s an encounter at eye level that quickens your pulse and instills profound respect.

The Story of Rhinos in Uganda

When you visit Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, you are not only seeing rhinos. You are also witnessing one of Uganda’s greatest conservation success stories. Uganda was once home to both black rhinos and northern white rhinos. By the early 1980s, however, rhinos had disappeared completely from the country. Years of political instability during Idi Amin’s regime, together with widespread poaching for their valuable horns, drove them to national extinction.

Determined to bring rhinos back, Rhino Fund Uganda launched an ambitious reintroduction programme. They identified Ziwa Cattle Ranch as the ideal location and approached its owner, Captain Joseph Charles Roy, a former pilot, passionate conservationist, and devoted animal lover. He agreed to move his cattle and dedicate the land to rhino conservation. In 2005 and 2006, the first 6 southern white rhinos arrived at Ziwa. Four rhinos were transported overland from Kenya, while two were flown from Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida using Captain Roy’s own cargo airline. The project exceeded all expectations. While the team had anticipated that Ziwa’s mix of swamps, savannah, and woodlands would provide a suitable home, they did not foresee the scale of success. From just six founders, the population has steadily grown to 48 rhinos today.

Today, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). During your visit, you can enjoy a guided rhino tracking walk, look for shoebills, antelopes, warthogs, and many other animals, or spend the night at a lodge inside the ranch.

Every visit helps fund the protection and future of Uganda’s rhinos. The rhinos are protected day and night by dedicated rangers. Each rhino family is closely monitored, while patrol teams guard the ranch around the clock. This constant protection keeps poachers away and allows researchers to collect valuable information about the rhinos’ behaviour and health. The knowledge gained at Ziwa also supports rhino conservation projects across Africa.

Uganda’s rhino story is still being written.

In March 2026, the Uganda Wildlife Authority released two southern white rhinos into Kidepo Valley National Park. It was the first step in returning rhinos to one of Uganda’s most spectacular wilderness areas. More rhinos will be introduced over the coming years, with the goal of establishing a healthy breeding population in the wild once again. It is a powerful reminder that, with long-term commitment and effective conservation, even a species that disappeared completely from a country can make an extraordinary comeback.

Walking to the rhinos

The highlights of visiting Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is tracking rhinos on foot. Your experience begins with a short drive through the reserve. Once the rangers locate the rhinos, you leave the vehicle and continue on foot with an experienced guide. They know every rhino and will ensure you enjoy a safe and unforgettable encounter. Rhinos are enormous animals. An adult male can weigh more than 2,000 kilos. When you spot them up close during your walk, that is when you truly see how big they are. Despite their size and strength, rhinos are seen by most people as very likeable animals. If you look closely into their eyes, there is something moving about them. You see a very strong, large animal. But also, a super vulnerable animal.