Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch

Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch sits in Nakasongola District on the Gulu Highway, roughly halfway between Kampala and Murchison Falls National Park. It is the only place in Uganda where you can walk on foot among wild rhino, which makes it a practical stop on the northern route and a destination in its own right.

Rhino trekking is the main draw: rangers accompany guests on foot to locate the rhino and observe them at close range. Beyond the rhino, the ranch runs birding trails and nature walks through the surrounding land. The adjacent Lugogo Swamp is one of the more reliable places in Uganda to find the shoebill stork, a large prehistoric-looking bird that draws serious birders specifically for this stop. Canoe rides on the swamp are also available.

Accommodation is in chalets with private verandas, offered on a full-board basis. There is also a campsite and a guest house for different budgets and group types. The restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients to put together a varied menu; the bar carries teas, coffee, juices, and spirits.

The ranch operates with a conservation mandate — the rhino population here is the result of a reintroduction programme, and the animals are monitored around the clock by armed rangers.