Uganda to Re Introduce Rhinos into the Wild

Despite the many years of no rhinos in the wild of Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is set to reintroduce rhinos back into the wild in 2022. For over 30 years back, rhino tracking in Uganda has only been done at Zziwa Rhino sanctuary as the only destination to trek these endangered species in the wild. In the late 1980s, rhinos got extinct in Uganda lost to poaching, and black marketing. Uganda Wildlife Authority gazetted orphaned rhinos at Zziwa to give them a safe home and protection from threats.

The close monitoring of rhino’s lifestyle at Zziwa has seen the population of these endangered species steadily increase from tie to time. Given the steady increase of rhino at Zziwa Rhino sanctuary, Uganda Wildlife Authority is planning to reintroduce these endangered species back into the wild in 2022. According to the management of Zziwa sanctuary, the current population of rhinos at Zziwa Rhino sanctuary is almost exceeding the carrying capacity of the area, which calls for a transfer of some rhinos especially the mature ones to the wild. In the year 2019, over five baby rhinos have been born at Zziwa rhino sanctuary which is surely a great achievement giving hope for sustainable rhino tracking experiences in Uganda. The translocation will be spearheaded by Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rhino Fund Uganda and other nongovernment organizations, which support Rhino conservation in the Pearl of Africa. Rhinos are one of the “big five game “ along with Elephants, hippos, lions, and buffalos which are the must-see animals for most travelers on African safaris.

Bashir Hangi, the communication manager of Uganda Wildlife Authority confirmed the plans to translocate rhinos into the wild. This revelation was during the press conference on wildlife conservation in Uganda that was held on 19th November 2019. Before their extinction, rhinos were one of Uganda’s major tourist attractions bringing a high number of tourists to the Pearl of Africa. The initial habitats of black rhinos in Uganda are Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Ajai Wildlife Reserve in northwestern Uganda. The reintroduction of rhinos into Uganda national parks will make Uganda home to the big five game which offer travelers with great wildlife experiences.

How to trek rhinos in Uganda

Travelers visiting to trek rhinos at Zziwa Rhino sanctuary are ought to buy permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority. The cost for trekking rhinos is $50 for foreign nonresidents, &40 for East African residents, UGX 30,000 for Uganda citizens, $20 for nonresidents children, 20 for East African resident children and 10,000 shillings for Uganda children per person. Alternatively, you can book through Gorilla Trek Africa, the number one travel company in Uganda. We shall organize a rhino trip for you at affordable rates saving you the hustles and bustles of private bookings.

Other must-see wild animals in Uganda

Besides rhinos, Uganda is home to other endangered species every traveler must-see on his/her Uganda safari. A face-to-face encounter with some of these rare species is a once in a lifetime experience that you will live to remember. The must-see animals include:

Mountain Gorillas

Living in the rain forests of Mgahinga and Bwindi Forest National Park, mountain gorillas are a major tourist attraction in Uganda. The pearl of Africa is home to over 500 mountain gorillas, which have been habituated into 17 gorilla families. Luckily, Uganda gorilla tours are quite cheap at $600 compared to neighboring Rwanda. Also, Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking help you trek Uganda gorillas starting and ending in Kigali at far lesser costs in the shortest time possible. Travelers spend an hour in the presence of gorillas, learning and embracing their human-like characters, which experience lasts for a lifetime. More so, Uganda offers you exceptional gorilla habituation experience, which allows travelers to spend four hours with the wild gorilla family undergoing training. Uganda gorilla families include Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Bweza, Nshongi, Nkuringo, Katwe, Christmas, Kayaguliro, Busingye, and Nyakagyezi gorilla groups among others. Travelers who intend to trek gorillas in Uganda are advised to book for permits at least 6 months in advance to avoid last-minute bookings.

Chimpanzees

Visit to trek Uganda chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu forest for a great primate experience. Chimpanzees share 99.9% of human genes, which make them the close relative of human beings, which makes an encounter with them exceptional. Trekking to see chimpanzees in Kibale forest costs $100, which is far cheap compared to gorilla trekking, which costs $600. Just like in gorillas, chimpanzee permits are highly demanded which require advance bookings.

Golden Monkeys

Go golden monkey trekking for an amazing primate experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Golden monkeys are playful and lively creature you should not miss on your Uganda safari to southwestern Uganda. Mgahinga is the only destination to trek these endangered species in Uganda and the other population lives in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda. Trekking to see golden monkeys cost $100 for a permit.

Birds

Besides wild animals, Uganda is home to over 1,050 bird species hence the best site for bird watching. Do not miss to see the famous shoebill stork in Mabamba bay wetland and less and great egrets in Queen Elizabeth national park among other birds. The top birding spots in Uganda include Bwindi Forest, Murchison Falls, Budongo Forest, Mabira Forest, Semuliki Valley, Queen Elizabeth, Mgahinga Forest, Kibale Forest, and Lake Mburo National Parks among others. Birds to see in Uganda include shoebill stork, Black-headed heron, African Marsh Harrier, Swamp flycatcher, Malachite Kingfisher, Collared Apalis, African green broadbill, Fraser’s eagle, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Mountain Masked Apalis, black-billed turaco, giant kingfishers, Abyssinian ground hornbill, red-throated bee-eater, African mourning dove, Verreaux’s eagle owl, pin tailed whydah, African skimmer, yellow-billed stork, great white pelicans and stripe breasted tit among others.

The reintroduction of rhinos into the wild will improve Uganda’s tourism. Contact Gorilla Trek Africa today, book a Uganda safari to trek rhinos and enjoy this lifetime experience in the Pearl of Africa.