Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Reviving Uganda’s White Rhinos

Last updated: January 14, 2025

Written by: Melissa Kirby

Uganda | Adventure | Expert experience | Wildlife

There was a time when Uganda’s plains echoed with the thunder of rhino hooves—both black and white rhinos roamed here freely. But by 1983, rhinos in Uganda were devastatingly declared extinct, with populations devastated by civil unrest and poaching.

In 1997, a group of conservationists dared to dream of a comeback. By 2001, their idea took life: two rhinos were brought to Uganda, marking the start of something special. Then, in 2004, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was founded, with 27 square miles of highly protected land to breed and raise white rhinos. Ziwa quickly became the heart of Uganda’s rhino revival.

One of the most memorable moments in Ziwa’s journey came in 2009 with the birth of an especially charming calf. This baby, born to a mother from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and a father from Kenya, was named Obama—a fitting name, given his half-American, half-Kenyan roots! Obama was a symbol of all the collaborations that made his birth possible and a hopeful start for Ziwa’s growing population.

Today, Ziwa’s hard work is paying off, with a community of approximately 43 rhinos now calling the sanctuary home. Many are still young (only four are fully mature males) so there’s room for the population to keep growing. Once they reach around 50 rhinos, the plan is to move some to a protected, fenced area in Murchison Falls National Park, where they’ll continue the journey towards repopulation.

Some treks offer the chance to see groups of “teenage” rhinos hanging out together, or perhaps a mother with her young. It’s an almost surreal experience to watch them interact and explore, knowing they’re free to roam this safe expanse. And if you’re lucky, you might meet Sanold, one of Ziwa’s dedicated guides who knows each rhino’s quirks. He’s been with them for seven years, and there’s no one better for sharing the ins and outs of rhino life.

Today, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is not only the only place in Uganda to see white rhinos but a living testament to the power of determination, collaboration, and patience. Every rhino you encounter is a success story, a symbol of resilience, and a beacon for what conservation can achieve. So, as you wander through Ziwa’s trails and catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures, you’ll be part of Uganda’s story of a bringing the white rhino back.

Visit Uganda page for more information about this destination and all it has to offer.