The white rhinos that are in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary National Park are the only ones remaining in Uganda. This is a very interesting place because, thanks to the program of the Rhino Fund NGO, several rhinos have been donated by zoos from the United States, England and parks of South Africa to manage to maintain the species in Uganda thanks to their first animals have been extinguished.
But in Ziwa we can also find other species, numerous types of antelopes, many monkeys, snakes, few leopards, birds and more seekers in this park are the curious Shoebill. Also of rodents; the boars or ‘’ Pumba ‘’ and Ankole cows, that have the super big horns.
In this adventure, we did ‘night walk’; Where we have the opportunity to see nocturnal animals, like antelopes in their caves and in a sky full of stars thanks to the little light pollution of the place. Apparently, the rhinos were not in our route, but in the previous night, about 3 meters from the window of the room where we stayed.
That first night was awesome, I recorded my first safari in Queen Elizabeth Park; when the hippos at that time we made theirs in front of our tent which was no longer protected by a basement. But I really got to count about 7 or 8 rhinos, among which there were some small pups. The rhinos and cows enjoy an evening near our rooms while the guards of the place do not stop monitoring them.
The other activity was the next day around 6 am, we took the car with the guide and we counted near the swamp where we saw the curious bird Shoebill, which is a species in a state of vulnerability. Live very happy in the swamp near the papyrus, hunting fish and frogs. It is quite large, with flexible legs that allow it to handle well through wetlands and thick vegetation. Its beak is peculiar, it really looks like a shoe, the plumage is grey and apparently, it is related to African fossil birds ‘’ Goliathia and Paludavis ‘’.
The following after seeing this mysterious African bird was by the channel that is defined by a papyrus forest, where there are not only some birds if it is not the true routine of the local person. Some girls made a great effort to collect water from the marsh to carry out their houses by bicycle. Take a canoe to do the ‘’ canoe ride ‘’. Our canoe sailed thanks to the work of a man who moves manually, while we enjoy the landscape.
In the afternoon of that same day after a good rest, it was time to go to the “rhino trekking”, where for my great impression I met Malaika and her cubs, three rhinoceroses that are under the shade of the bushes , but they were very relaxed because they did not decide to take a nap, while the “pumbas” played behind their backs.
The heat was too much, so we decided to leave the rhinos and leave. But just as we reached the road we came across a male rhinoceros. It was very large and was heading towards a small lake where it was refreshed from that heat. Until suddenly the animal has decided by the road where we have been. I really scared because the rhino was in front of me and he was very big. But after that, I really feel very alive and fulfilled because even though they are very big and wild animals, they are full of peace and tranquillity.
This place is very humble and the kitchen is also, although very decent to be in such a remote place. I have to say that it is a place that is worth knowing especially because it is special considering 25 rhinos protected from poachers or activities that put you at risk. Also, they all have a name, they are like a big family that lives with other species.
