Rhino trekking in Uganda offers a unique opportunity to walk through the protected wilderness of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and track southern white rhinos in their natural environment. Accompanied by an experienced ranger, you can observe these remarkable animals while learning about their behaviour, habitat, and conservation.
Located in Nakasongola District, north of Kampala and along the route to Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is Uganda’s leading destination for rhino trekking and rhino tracking.
Plan Your Rhino Trekking Experience
Rhino trekking is a guided walking wildlife experience that brings you closer to Uganda’s southern white rhinos. Rather than watching rhinos from a safari vehicle, you explore the sanctuary on foot with a trained ranger who helps you locate the animals and explains their behaviour and conservation story.
At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, rhino tracking takes place in a protected environment where visitors can observe these impressive animals while following established safety guidance.
The experience is ideal for travellers looking for something different from a traditional game drive and can easily be included in a wider Uganda safari.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located in Nakasongola District, approximately 176 kilometres north of Kampala along the Kampala–Gulu highway. Its location makes it a convenient stop for travellers heading towards Murchison Falls National Park.
The sanctuary was established in 2005 as part of Uganda’s efforts to restore its rhino population after rhinos had disappeared from the country. The first rhinos at Ziwa formed the foundation of a successful breeding and conservation programme.
According to Uganda Wildlife Authority’s 2026 wildlife report, Uganda now has 61 southern white rhinos, with 53 at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Today, visiting Ziwa is not simply about seeing rhinos. It is also an opportunity to experience and support an important chapter in Uganda’s wildlife conservation story.
Your rhino trekking experience begins with a briefing before heading into the sanctuary with a ranger.
Depending on where the rhinos are located, you may walk through open grassland, woodland and other areas of the sanctuary while looking for signs of rhino activity.
Your ranger can help you understand:
The experience is about more than simply taking photographs. It gives you an opportunity to learn about one of Africa’s most iconic animals while seeing conservation in action.
Rhino tracking in Uganda is another common way of describing the guided rhino trekking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
The two terms are closely related. Rhino trekking emphasises the walking experience, while rhino tracking describes the process of following signs and locating rhinos with the help of a ranger.
If you are searching for rhino tracking tours in Uganda, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the key destination to consider.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the experience is the opportunity to track rhinos on foot rather than simply viewing them from a safari vehicle.
Uganda lost its wild rhino populations during the country’s period of conflict and widespread poaching. The establishment of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary marked an important step towards restoring rhinos to Uganda.
Ziwa’s position along the route towards Murchison Falls makes it practical to include rhino trekking in a northern Uganda safari itinerary.
Ziwa is also known for birdwatching, nature walks, shoebill experiences and other wildlife activities, making it possible to combine several experiences during your visit.
Rhino trekking can be enjoyed as a standalone experience or incorporated into a longer Uganda safari.
Popular options include:
Travel from Kampala to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino trekking experience before returning to Kampala.
Combine rhino trekking at Ziwa with a wildlife safari in Murchison Falls National Park.
Combine rhino trekking with birdwatching or a shoebill experience around the sanctuary.
Add Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to a longer Uganda itinerary covering destinations such as Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi or other wildlife destinations.
Although rhino trekking is the main attraction, Ziwa offers opportunities to experience other wildlife and nature activities.
Depending on your itinerary, you can also explore:
This makes Ziwa a particularly worthwhile stop for travellers who want to combine rhino tracking with birding and other nature experiences.
Rhino trekking contributes to a much bigger story: the conservation and restoration of rhinos in Uganda.
Southern white rhinos were reintroduced to Uganda after the country’s rhinos had been lost from the wild. Ziwa became an important breeding and conservation site, helping establish a population that could eventually support the restoration of rhinos in Uganda’s protected areas.
In March 2026, Uganda Wildlife Authority began transferring southern white rhinos from Ziwa to Kidepo Valley National Park, marking a major step in returning rhinos to parts of their former range.
By visiting responsibly, travellers can experience this conservation story while contributing to wildlife tourism and the continued protection of Uganda’s rhinos.
The principal destination for rhino trekking in Uganda is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District.
The sanctuary is approximately 176 kilometres north of Kampala along the Kampala–Gulu highway and is conveniently positioned for travellers heading towards Murchison Falls National Park.
This makes it possible to visit Ziwa as a day trip from Kampala or include it as part of a longer northern Uganda safari.
Rhino trekking can be included in a Uganda safari throughout the year.
The best time for your visit may depend on your wider itinerary, weather preferences and the other activities you plan to combine with rhino trekking.
For travellers planning a Uganda safari, it is often more practical to consider Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary as part of the complete route rather than planning the rhino experience separately.
Ready to discover Uganda’s rhinos?
Whether you are looking for a rhino trekking tour in Uganda, a rhino tracking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, or a safari itinerary that combines rhinos with Murchison Falls and other wildlife destinations, we can help you plan your visit.
Request a Rhino Trekking Tour
Ask About Availability
Contact Us
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is Uganda’s principal destination for seeing southern white rhinos in a natural setting. Uganda is also restoring rhinos to other protected areas, including Kidepo Valley National Park.
Rhino trekking is a guided walking experience where visitors track and observe rhinos on foot with the assistance of a ranger.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is in Nakasongola District, approximately 176 kilometres north of Kampala on the Kampala–Gulu highway.
Yes. Ziwa is particularly convenient to combine with a safari to Murchison Falls National Park because it lies along the northern route from Kampala.
The rhinos at Ziwa are southern white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum simum). Uganda Wildlife Authority’s 2026 report identifies the southern white rhino as the species currently being restored in Uganda.
Rhino trekking provides visitors with a wildlife experience while introducing them to Uganda’s rhino conservation and restoration efforts. Ziwa has played an important role in rebuilding Uganda’s rhino population.
From tracking southern white rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to learning about Uganda’s remarkable rhino conservation journey, RhinoTrekking.com is your guide to rhino experiences in Uganda.
Explore. Track. Discover Uganda’s Rhinos.