Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Great experience, to see the rhinos so close. Thanks to Simon our guide

Rhino trekking is an amazing activity at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary

A brilliant place to visit, the experience of seeing rhinos close up, without being trapped in a vehicle, was wonderful. You can also trek to see giraffes and zebra. Sitting in the restaurant you can watch all sorts of wildlife visit the wide grass area alongside including storks, crested cranes, monkeys, warthogs and even rhinos!! Highly recommended

Seeing a rhino was one of the priorities of the trip and we checked it off by noon of our first day. in Uganda. Just a fantastic experience. Was allowed to be very close to the animals and got great picture. Guides were very helpful and added a lot.

Amazing walking safari experience with the Rhinos. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and it was very impressive seeing the animals up close.

We had a long outward journey (about 3 hours, including a 15-minute break from Entebbe). Then we arrived at Ziwa Conservancy, where we received a short briefing from the guide, who then gave us some explanations while we observed several rhino families, which was probably quite fortunate, given the rather scattered herds of animals. This part lasted about 45 minutes. Afterwards, we went to the Ziwa Conservancy restaurant, which offers a lunch buffet (including yam root, steamed pumpkin, spaghetti, Kampala beef, roasted potatoes, and buttered fish). I also ordered a hibiscus juice, which was served unsweetened and was refreshing. The lunch buffet was very good and offered a very varied meal for me.

Not worth the hype in my opinion. I also thought $50 per person for a family of four was pretty steep for a 1 hour stop on the way to Murchison… They refused to acknowledge my resident permit and give me the East Africa rate, despite having all of the paperwork. Also refused my TIN number, which almost every restaurant and other business in Uganda is able to process. I also hate it when people ask for tips upfront.

Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch (aka Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary) is the private sanctuary in Uganda established to reintroduce southern white rhinos back into Uganda, where rhinos had gone locally extinct.  • The sanctuary covers roughly 70 km² (or 70 square kilometers) of woodland, savanna, swamps, and associated habitats.  • As of 2024–2025, the rhino population has grown, with multiple births — it’s one of the conservation success stories in Uganda.  • Ziwa is currently the only place in Uganda where you can reliably track rhinos on foot in a semi-wild (protected) environment.  Typical experience / what people report: • The main activity is rhino trekking on foot, accompanied by experienced rangers (often armed) who will lead you to where the rhinos are.  • The walk can last from about 1½ to 2½ hours (depending on how far the rhinos are) but sometimes a full three hours or more if terrain is challenging.  • At times you may need to drive partly, then disembark to walk the last stretch, depending on rhino movements.  • You may get surprisingly close (within a few meters) — but always in safe, controlled proximity as guided by rangers.  • Guides often share interesting insights about rhino behavior, individual rhino identities, habitat, threats, etc.  • Besides rhinos, you can often spot other wildlife (antelopes, monkeys, kobs, duikers, etc.), and there are birding opportunities (over 300 bird species have been recorded).  • Some visitors mention the trek is exhilarating, sometimes tiring, but very rewarding — seeing rhinos grazing, interacting, or even engaging in male rivalry displays.  Strengths / positives commonly cited: • Excellent conservation mission, giving tourists a meaningful experience while supporting rhino protection. • Rare opportunity to see rhinos on foot in Uganda — something few places can offer. • The combination of walking, wildlife spotting, and learning from guides makes the experience immersive. • Good safety protocols and knowledgeable guides. • The growth of the rhino population is a positive sign of success. • Scenic landscapes, bush ambiance, and the relative remoteness contribute to a more “authentic” safari feel. Challenges or things to watch out for: • Depending on timing (e.g. late morning heat) rhinos may rest under shade and be less active or harder to spot. Some visitors report arriving late and seeing rhinos resting.  • Travel times and road conditions (especially from Kampala) can be long or slow, and traffic can erode time for the excursion. One review mentioned that the drive “to and from Kampala was horrendous with aggressive driving and no respect for limitations.”  • Not all tours allow extra vehicle drives within the sanctuary — some expect you to walk the full approach, which may limit the animals or views you see. (One review noted a desire to drive to see other animals but this was not available in their package.)  • The terrain and bush conditions may be rough: uneven ground, thick vegetation, heat, insects, sun — you’ll want good footwear, sun protection, etc. • Because rhinos are wild animals, sightings can vary. Sometimes they may be further away or harder to reach. • The sanctuary is fenced and somewhat managed (electric fences, ranger presence) to protect the rhinos. That means it is not a completely “wild” setting — but that is part of the balance between access and conservation.  • Quality of services (logistics, timing, guide skill) can vary depending on the tour provider you use. What a “Bush Beat Journeys” review might (or should) reflect / considerations Because I couldn’t find public, credible feedback specifically for “Bush Beat Journeys” at Ziwa, here are the criteria I’d look at (and that you should probe) if evaluating their service: 1. Guide knowledge & safety • Are the guides with Bush Beat Journeys well versed in rhino ecology, behavior, tracking, safety protocols? • Are they armed or trained to safely lead foot treks? 2. Logistics & timing • How early do they depart/from where? Can they avoid Kampala traffic? • Do they allow enough time for walking before rhinos retreat into shade or become inactive? • Is there flexibility if rhinos are further into the bush? 3. Inclusions & how “close” you get • Does the price include entrance, ranger fees, drives inside the sanctuary, etc.? • How far will they drive you vs how much walking is required? • How many people per group (smaller groups are often better for experience and visibility)? 4. Communication & expectations • Does the itinerary clarify that rhino sightings are never 100% guaranteed (due to nature)? • Do they provide gear advice (shoes, insect repellent, water, sun protection)? • Are safety briefings and rules clearly explained? 5. Comfort & supplementary services • Do they offer comfortable transport, good food, clean facilities (restrooms)? • If staying overnight, what are lodging arrangements (tents, cabins, lodges)? • Are there additional activities (birding, nature walks, night walks)? 6. Value for money • Compare cost vs what is offered. • Are there hidden costs (e.g. for “optional” vehicles, extra ranger fees)? • What is the ratio of time spent in transit vs time with rhinos? 7. Reviews / feedback of past clients • It’s ideal to see photos and testimonials (with wildlife sightings) from prior clients. • Look for consistent positives (guide, safety, rhino sightings) and recurring negatives (late start, missing animals). Verdict / how good an experience can it be (with a good operator) If Bush Beat Journeys is well managed (good guides, realistic logistics, clear expectations), the Ziwa Rhino trek can be a very memorable highlight of a Uganda safari. It’s rare to walk near rhinos, learn their ecology, and support conservation in action. With the positives of immersive walking safari and the downside of unpredictable wildlife, your experience will largely depend on how well your tour operator handles the coordination.

We were able to see the rhinos up close and personal with the help of the trackers. You don’t have to walk very far to see them. It started raining and the guide had a tarp for us to stand under. The staff are very knowledgeable and keep you safe. We even were able to eat lunch there also. I would recommend this event for everybody.

The only destination for Rhino tracking in Uganda. This Place will never disappoint. I recommend all travellers to put it on their bucket list.