Other than the Rhinos, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is home to an array of wildlife, including up to 26 mammal species. The woodlands & thickets harbor game such as Giraffe, Leopard, Aardvark, Duiker, Oribi, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Pangolin, Colubus & Vervet Monkey, and Mongoose. The big swamps  have Hippos, and Crocodiles. Valley dams have been constructed to supplement the available water sources and to cater for the rapidly increasing game at the sanctuary. They have also become habitats for crocodiles and other water wildlife.

For the avid bird watcher, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary cannot be overlooked if you are panning birding safari in Uganda. The sanctuary is very rich with woodland, grassland and some water birds at the swamps & valley dams. Up to 351 species of birds have been recorded so far. Your checklist will include among others: Meyer’s Parrot (Brown Parrot), Ruppell’s Long-tailed Starling, Woodland Kingfisher, Fork-tailed Kingfisher, Butler Eagle, Martial Eagle, Gabar Goshawk, Levaillants Cuckoo, Purple-banded Sunbird, Black-headed Gonolek, African Thrush, Double-toothed Barbet, African Grey Hornbill, Common Bulbul, Green-winged Pytilia. The Lugogo Swamp which is the biggest of the swamps at the sanctuary is good for the Shoebill and a good number waders and water birds.

Activities to do at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Rhino Tracking

Rhino tracking is the main activity at the sanctuary. It involves trekking through the thickets to find the rhinos, and this activity normally lasts between two to three hours. The trek starts from the sanctuary headquarters accompanied by an armed ranger that is assigned by the sanctuary authority. The rangers are very knowledgeable guides that will brief you on the safety precautions before trekking and also feed you with valuable information about Rhinos and wildlife of the sanctuary. The White Rhinos, the only species of rhinos at the sanctuary, by nature are not as violent & aggressive compared to their counterparts the Black Rhinos. Hence there is little chance of a rhino attack as long as you observe the tracking guidelines as shall be laid out by your guide.

Birding at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Birding at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary involves driving the dirt truck observing the edges of the woodland, and thereafter hike into the woodlands and bushes, scanning the vegetation for birds. Explore the swamps and valley dams for some water birds, and good chance to catch the Shoebill. A Shoebill canoe ride is available at Lugogo Swamp in the sanctuary. Note that for a better chance to see the Shoebill the Mabamba wetlands are so the most best birding spot.  Ziwa has knowledgeable bird guides/rangers who can identify over 350 species at the sanctuary. For just 4 – 5 hours, you can accumulate a list of up to 100 species out of the possible total 351 at the sanctuary.

Game viewing 

You will drive on the tracks and walk the trails through the bushes for a chance to view lots of animals up close. It is a prerequisite to take along an armed ranger from the sanctuary headquarters who knows the best trails for the best wildlife experience. Antelopes such as Bushbucks, Duiker, Oribi, and Uganda Kob are in plenty,

Tours to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located on the way to Murchison Falls National Park and is therefore best done as an add-on to a safari trip to Murchison Falls National Park.

One can also visit the sanctuary on a one day trip to track the Rhinos and observe plenty of wildlife.