Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

This is an amazing place. Boots are provided for the trek. We were so close we could hear the rhinos breathing and/or chewing as they grazed. Why three stars? Toward the end of the tour, our guide motioned for two armed guards to come into view. After explaining their role and how much they are appreciated, we acknowledged them and turned to follow the guide. The guide squarely faced me and assertively told me it was time to tip them saying, “it’s not required but out of the goodness of your heart”. It was clear we were not going to walk any further until the task was completed—it was incredibly uncomfortable and we were certainly caught off guard. Despite being told tipping is optional in Uganda and in the sanctuary, this was not respected while on our walk. When we returned to the starting point, our guide was immediately outside the car door and made it clear that now was the time to tip him too; he would not leave the car until this was provided. It certainly does not sound like this is common, based on other reviews. Maybe the fact we were two women with no others around? I don’t know, but it felt like a bad idea to refuse to tip given we were alone with two armed men. The rhinos? AMAZING.

the first stage of our Safari included a visit with overnight stay at the Ziwa reserve, a project to restore the presence of rhinos within Uganda. We were able to observe many grazing rhinos after they woke up in the late afternoon accompanied by a guide which made the experience truly unique and fantastic. the Lodge in which we booked was really valuable with every comfort and very well finished in perfect safari style. For the organization of this Safari, I relied on the experience of Pierluigi romanello of Malachite tour and travel that made our trip unforgettable thanks to careful planning in which we felt followed and accompanied with extreme professionalism, advice to anyone who wants to travel safely and fully enjoy this experience.

The highlight of my visit was the guided rhino tracking excursion. Accompanied by knowledgeable and passionate guides, I ventured into the sanctuary's vast, grassy plains to track these majestic creatures. The thrill of spotting a rhino in its natural habitat is incredible.