
Cost of rhino tracking at Zziwa rhino sanctuary
Cost of rhino tracking at Zziwa rhino sanctuary : Rhino tracking is among the activities which can be done in Uganda and the only place to take part in this activity is the Zziwa rhino sanctuary.
Different costs are incurred during rhino tracking at the Zziwa rhino sanctuary and they include entrance fees and rhino tracking costs, for visitors spending the night at the sanctuary, accommodation costs can also be incurred.
Zziwa rhino sanctuary is located in Nakasongola and is the best and only place to see white rhinos on foot when visiting Uganda.
About 1 to 2 hours is spent during the search of the rhinos at the sanctuary and the rhino trekking experience at Zziwa starts at 07:00 am and is done until 05:00pm. Zziwa rhino sanctuary is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority which also regulates the different national parks in Uganda.
The rhino trekking experience at Zziwa rhino sanctuary costs 50 USD per person inclusive of entrance fees for foreign nonresidents, 45USD for foreign residents and 40,000 UGX per person for East African adults.
Children aged up to 12 years taking part in rhino trekking at Zziwa rhino sanctuary are charged a fee of 10,000 UGX for East Africans, 25 USD for foreign residents and 30 USD for foreign nonresident children.
The best time to visit the rhinos at Zziwa rhino sanctuary is during the dry season around December to February and also in June to September.
Apart from the fees paid for the rhino trekking experience, visitors may incur other costs for the tour including transportation costs which varies depending on the vehicles used for the safaris and the car provider.
Transport costs to the rhino sanctuary can be about 100 USD or more per vehicle and this cost is s shared cost of the tour to Zziwa rhino sanctuary. Public means of transport can also be used to get to Nakasongola which costs about 15,000 UGX per person by bus or taxi and from there an individual can take another car to the sanctuary.
Other costs at the rhino sanctuary may include camping costs for those visitors spending the night at Zziwa and this experience costs 20 USD per person per day. There are also lodges at the Zziwa rhino sanctuary known as the Amka safari lodges which cost about 100 to 130 USD for a night.
The payments for the different activities at the sanctuary are not made as cash payments but visitors can pay for their tours at Zziwa rhino sanctuary using visa payment, mobile money on MTN and Airtel and also using Master card.
Other activities carried out at the rhino sanctuary are charged as follows;
Shoebill tours at Zziwa rhino sanctuary cost 25 USD for foreign nonresidents, 20 USD for foreign residents and 20,000 UGX for East Africans. Other places where the Shoebill Stork can be seen in Uganda include Mabamba swamps in Entebbe.
Birding at Zziwa rhino sanctuary costs 20,000 UGX for East Africans, 20 USD for foreign residents and foreign nonresidents.
Nature walks in the night at the Zziwa rhino sanctuary cost 20 USD for foreign nonresidents and foreign residents and 20,000 UGX is charged for East Africans engaging in night nature walks at the destination.
The rhinos move freely within the sanctuary in a range of about 27 square miles. During rhino trekking at Zziwa rhino sanctuary, well trained ranger guides accompany individuals to search for the rhinos in the wild.
A briefing is done before the rhino tracking experience and visitors are informed of what to expect during the activity and also the safety measures to follow during the search for the rhinos and how to act in the presence of the rhinos.
Boots are provided to be used by the visitors taking part in the rhino tracking experience and other items to bring for the search of the rhinos in the wild include mineral water, insect repellant, sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat.

Other activities to do around Zziwa rhino sanctuary
- Wildlife viewing
Zziwa rhino sanctuary is home to other wildlife species apart from rhinos and they include Uganda kobs, oribi, waterbucks, bushbucks among others.
Wildlife species at the sanctuary can be seen during game drives and also guided nature walks around Zziwa.
- Canoe rides
Canoe rides at the Zziwa rhino sanctuary can be done through the swamps and this activity can be done in the morning so visitors can enjoy the sunrise.
- Shoebill experience
The rare Shoebill stork can also be seen during tours to the Zziwa rhino sanctuary and this activity takes place using a canoe in the swampy areas of the sanctuary.
This activity takes about 4 hours and starts as early as 06:00 am in search of the Shoebill Stork and many other bird species can also be spotted around the wetlands. The rangers at the Zziwa rhino sanctuary who accompany visitor during the Shoebill experience are knowledgeable about the best spots to see the Shoebill.
- Nature walks
Another way to explore the Zziwa rhino sanctuary is during guided nature walks which can be done in the day time and also in the night.
Visitors can explore the savannah plains and other surroundings of Zziwa rhino sanctuary with the assistance of the ranger guides and during the nature walks, tourists can see different wildlife species and also the various birds at the destination.
Night nature walks at Zziwa rhino sanctuary are done with ranger guides as visitors look out for the nocturnal wildlife residents around the sanctuary including hippos among others.
- Bird watching
There are over 300 bird species which can be seen when visiting the Zziwa rhino sanctuary including the rare Shoebill Stork.
Other birds found at Zziwa rhino sanctuary include White Crested Turaco, Speckled Breasted Woodpecker, Grey Crowned eagle, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, African Grey Hornbill, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Marabou Stork, White Egret, Red Billed Ox peckers among others.
How to get to Zziwa rhino sanctuary
Zziwa rhino sanctuary is located in Nakasongola district and is about 3 hours drive from Kampala city. Tours to national parks such as Murchison falls national park can add stops at the rhino sanctuary which is found along its route.