The 3-day rhino trekking and shoebill watching safari is one of the best short trips to enjoy in Uganda. This tour takes you to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch for a rhino tracking experience and a chance to see the rare shoebill stork. It also includes a canoe ride, a nature walk, and birdwatching.
You will travel with an experienced driver-guide in a well-maintained 4×4 safari Land Cruiser. Other transport options like saloon cars, drones, minivans, or buses are also available if needed. The package includes meals, accommodation, entrance fees, and guide services.
Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is located in Nakasongola District, just off the Kampala–Gulu highway. The ranch covers 70 km² and is the only place in Uganda where you can see southern white rhinos in the wild. Rhino tracking is done on foot with a trained ranger and takes about 2 hours.
While tracking, you may also see other animals such as bushbucks, waterbucks, aardvarks, leopards, hartebeests, zebras, duikers, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and oribis.
Shoebills live in swampy areas and can be seen during an early morning canoe ride. Ziwa is home to more than 300 bird species. Some of the birds you may see include the African fish eagle, grey crowned crane, African grey hornbill, pygmy kingfisher, white egret, marabou stork, and pied kingfisher.
3-Day Ziwa Rhino Tour Highlights
- Visit Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch in Nakasongola District
- Track southern white rhinos on foot with a trained ranger
- Possible sightings of other animals such as bushbucks, waterbucks, zebras, warthogs, oribis, duikers, and Uganda kobs
- Take an early morning canoe ride in the swamp
- Look for the rare shoebill stork in its natural area
- See other birds such as African fish eagle, grey crowned crane, African grey hornbill, marabou stork, white egret, and pygmy kingfisher
- Enjoy guided bird-watching around the ranch
- Take part in a nature walk
- Travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide
- Stay in a pre-booked lodge with meals included
- Tour starts and ends in Entebbe or Kampala
Brief 3-Day Ziwa Rhino Tour Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to hotel
- Day 2: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch and rhino tracking
- Day 3: Shoebill watching and transfer to Kampala
Detailed 3-Day Ziwa Rhino Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to hotel
After arriving at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver-guide. You will then be taken to your pre-booked hotel in either Entebbe or Kampala. Along the way, you will see city buildings and the daily life of local people. At your hotel, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch and rhino tracking
Wake up early for breakfast, then begin your journey to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, about 167 km from Kampala. After reaching the ranch, you will be taken on a short drive inside before continuing the trek on foot with your ranger guide to find the rhinos.
You will be allowed to take photos, following the instructions of the rangers. During the walk, you might also see animals like warthogs, black-and-white colobus monkeys, bushbucks, oribis, and waterbucks.
After the trek, go to your pre-booked lodge for check-in. Enjoy lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing. You may see colorful birds around the lodge area. Later in the evening, dinner will be served, followed by your overnight stay.
Day 3: Shoebill watching and transfer to Kampala
On your last day, wake up around 5:00 AM and head to Lugogo Swamp for shoebill watching. This guided trip begins at 6:00 AM on a calm canoe ride and lasts for about 4 hours.
You will have a good chance of seeing the shoebill stork and other wetland birds. Take photos as you also spot the saddle-billed stork, African fish eagle, white egret, African grey hornbill, and grey crowned crane, among others.
After the canoe ride, return to your lodge for breakfast, then check out. Begin your drive back to Kampala. You will stop for lunch on the way. If this is your departure day, your driver will take you directly to Entebbe International Airport.
This will mark the end of your 3-day Ziwa Rhino trekking and shoebill watching safari in Uganda. Have a safe journey back home.
