White Rhino Photos – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda
On my mother’s first day in Uganda we headed for the Budongo Forest where we’d track chimpanzees among old growth mahogany trees. On rout we passed a sign for the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which I’d heard of but didn’t know much about. Since there are no wild rhinos, either black or white species, left in Uganda my mom and figured why not stop and see them. For some reason I thought this was going to more of a zoo experience with the rhinos in little fenced in pens where visitors could view them. It is nothing like that.
The rhinos are essentially wild, foraging in the open bush. They do have rangers with them at all times for protection and the 70 square kilometers has a 3m high electric fence to keep the rhinos from wandering into trouble. The most spectacular thing about this sanctuary is the experience that awaits visitors. Viewing the rhinos takes place on foot, which is such a unique experience in Africa for any wildlife viewing. But the white rhino is the second largest land animal behind the elephant and therefore has a commanding presence when you happen to be on foot nearby.
My mother and I had a spectacular viewing with a female rhino and her 1.5 year-old calf. As if that wasn’t enough, the dominant male came traipsing out of the bush covered in mud after a cooling mud-bath. He was massive and the mud-covered look certainly added to his intimidation factor. Since these animals are with the rangers 24/7 they are very habituated to humans and non-aggressive. It is a spectacular wildlife experience and highly recommended to any who are on rout to Murchison Falls National Park here in Uganda.
