Rhino Trekking At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Day 10 of My 11 Day Ugandan Tour

Lunch had been had at the pristine sanctuary's Restaurant and the meal was divine. Coupled with the serene surroundings, the whole experience was perfect.

The decision was made that the only itinerary best suited for the rest of such a beautiful day was "Rhino trekking."

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, it's known, is the only place in the pearl of Africa, Uganda, that the Southern white rhinos call home.

To find that spot, to track through the bushes, to lay gaze upon the beautiful, horned beasts - that was the aim and, if it was achieved, was a price beyond rubies.

In fact, the sanctuary gazetted 7000 hectares of land as habitat to the rhinos, and this was well thought.

Every time we, the travellers, purchased the $50 rhino tracking permit, that was more money in the bank for Rhino Fund Uganda and Ugandan Wildlife Authority.

A well-trained ranger was handily available and that eased the bush track.

To drive at first was necessary to get closer to the Rhino zones. Having traveled without a personal car, my singular option was to team up with others and jointly hire the Rhino Fund Uganda's vehicle and driver.

On getting closer to the Rhino zones, the experienced ranger guided my comrades and I through the small, and the woody and stemmed shrubs, and grasslands; On foot! Chances of sighting the Rhinos were maximal.

To track hurriedly meant risking the agitation of the Rhinos and their retaliation.

The safest way was careful and gentle tracking, then remain stationary on coming in close range with the animal.

This was the expert advise as per the safety briefing the tour guide gave and adherence to it would keep us safe.

Once close to the Rhinos, the silenced cameras, binoculars, journals and pens came into play; but mostly the gaping!

These southern white rhinos were flat, broad mouthed and socially munching on the short, green grass; extremely large, with immense bodies, large heads, broad chests and short necks.

Two horns, the front horns being larger than the others, adorned each snout; 5 rhinos in total, in the "Crash" (group of Rhinos) the group and I came across.

They were slate grey in colour, with most of the body hairs on their tail bristles and ear fringes; and rather sparsely over the rest of their bodies.

These 7000 hectares not only offered rhino tracking opportunities. 

The reddish brown, sturdily built Uganda kobs, and the dark brown coloured Bushbucks were both dwellers and roamed through the daylight on land.

So did the Oribis, having long limbs and necks, sightly raised backs and yellowish brown coats. So dense on the grassland that the ground tremored with movement.

And even numerous were the waterbucks...

All these were breathtakingly awesome; most honour, however, went to the Rhinos, whose magnificence put the "Rhino" in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Image Source: Instagram

Shoebill Trek, Canoeing in Lugogo Swamp At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Day 10 Of My 11 Ugandan Tour

In the wild, a mere 10 kilometer stretch harbouring the essentials of water, food and shelter can seem like Heaven for wildlife.

Thus it was with Lugogo Swamp in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. At 6 am, the Canoe ride on the swamp waters started; more, the cold of the outdoor camp got me up before 6, with ample time for the morning rituals.

Lugogo Swamp, a 10 kilometer wide wetland at the border of Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, catered to a battalion of animals; with over 300 bird species calling it safe haven.

Embracing that early morning cold paid off with the heavenly vista of the Sun rise. I had opted in for the early morning canoe ride specifically for that reason and was amazed by the panorama.

The Swamp was then churning out fog at masses a minute. An hour after setting sail, the voyagers and I, under the leadership of an experienced guide, navigated through shrubs and interposing thickets to locate the shoebill nests.

These, among other birds, called Lugogo wetland home. I, too, had earlier been enticed into the opportunity to sight these rare birds. 

And within two hours it was clear that once the rare shoebill storks came into view, they were spectacular.

These very large stork-like birds, deriving their name from their enormous, bulbous, straw coloured bills, were tall with wingspans of approximately 7 - 8ft.

They had dark coloured, fairly long legs, exceptional large feet that aided hunting in this aquatic vegetation.

Other easily spotted birds included:

The small chinspot batis: A rather Stout bird, with a black mask on its face, short white eye stripes and a grey cap.

The yellow eyes and, black legs and bill made this songbird extremely cute!

The Booted Eagle: A medium-sized bird of prey. Eagle like in shape with a wingspan of approximately 130 cm; having a mid-brown plumage and grey flight feathers.

Nesting up in the trees, in nests made of sticks and leaves.

The African Marsh Harrier: yellow eyed, adorned with a brown plumage, pale streaking on the head, breast and rufous on the thighs and belly.

This bird of prey was patched up in the trees with a stare that one could only deduce as a hunting stare.

And last but no least,

The Abdim's Stork: This black stork had red knees and feet, grey legs and bill and white underparts.

Its red facial skin in front of the eyes was striking. It was pecking at what I hoped to be caterpillars inside the bark of a tree; had a kind of sense for danger, like all birds do, for it kept  on taking note of our every position.

Lots of bird species could be sighted, and before anyone of us had reached his or her fill of bird watching, the tour guide had realized  that the allocated time was done and added a few extra.

The cool swamp waters were generally calm and the surrounding informatively enriching.

Being only 10 kilometer, this patch of Ziwa Rhino sanctuary was packed with wonder. For those 4 splendid hours, I had managed to do away with much of technology and returned to primal man.

Just a pair of binoculars, life vest, a book and pen; the wild and I.

Image Source: Pinterest

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Night Nature Walk: Day 9 of My 11 Day Uganda Tour

On day 9, I greatly unanticipated the long bus drive to my next destination; as was the only means of transportation my travel expenses permitted. I took it anyway for what was in store, I massively anticipated.

By 5 o'clock in the morning, I was up. I prepared, bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth National park, and started the 9 hour journey from Kasese district to Kampala, then to the Albertine region.

Along the Kampala - Gulu highway, in Nakasongola district, the outstanding Rhino signpost caught my attention. I branched off at Nakatoma trading center and headed to "Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch."

The Rhino sanctuary was established and funded by Rhino fund Uganda under the Uganda wildlife authority. The Ugandan government discovered a great source of tourism wealth with this special place. 

With the Rhinos none existent in all Ugandan national parks, the government of the republic of Uganda gazetted this site for the breeding and conservation of these magnificent wild animals.

There was no way of fighting Ziwa rhino sanctuary's call for any nature lover!

The sanctuary that's 14 years old, offered opportunities to take a gander at the Rhinos in their natural environment and lots of other exciting wildlife.

There was only one way to appreciate the existence of this sanctuary, that's to Pay it a visit...

One needed closed shoes, insect repellants, flashlight and trousers (long jeans) for the jaw-dropping activities at the sanctuary.

Camping outside was available, the perfect accommodation for one traveling on a budget. The immaculately clean camp site was adjacent to the sanctuary headquarters and wholly fenced.

The wealthy, exhibitionists, and look-at-mes had the private and shared indoor facilities.

Us, who opted for the outdoor camp, were the quiet, soft-spoken and self-contained personalities. We had to be very cool, possessed of icy nerves and almost immune to panic, slumbering on the outside in blue canvas tents.

By the time I arrived at the Rhino sanctuary, it was coming to 4 O'Clock in the evening and the only day's itinerary left was the "Nighttime nature Walk" that commenced at 8:30pm.

I paid the required dues; with some help, I pitched my tent on the neatly trimmed grass, surrounded by trees and headed to the restaurant for dinner, awaiting the night, nature walk.

The wait was worthy it, the guided nature walk experience of the nighttime sounds and sensations, unexpected and unpredictable nocturnal animals like the wild cats, bats, frogs and lots more; the dreamy scenes of fireflies, was spectacular.

Completely unknowing of what my comrades and I would bump into on that walk was unnerving, yet awesome within those 2 and half hours.

By 23:00pm, we came back to the camp site and called it a night. The rest of the night was characterized by chirping of crickets, and the occasional hoot of the Owl as I drifted off into the much needed slumber.

Image source: Instagram