Uganda Wildlife Authority translocates rhinos to Kidepo Valley National Park

Photo credit @Uganda Wildlife Authority

Today the 17^th of March 2026 Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has translocated two rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Kidepo Valley National Park. This is a huge step towards having the rhinos fully back in Uganda’s game parks where they once flourished. The UWA plans to translocated a total of 8 rhinos to Kidepo to kickstart the rhino population of the park.

It is important to note that Rhinos were part of Uganda’s rich ecosystem, roaming the beautiful plains of northern Uganda, until the civil unrest and wars of the 1970’s and 80’s created the environment for poaching leading to all rhinos in Uganda being wiped out. Actually, the last rhino in Uganda is said to have been spotted in Kidepo National Park around 1983. So the rhinos are simply coming back home!

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was set up in 2005 to start the process of reintroducing the rhinos back into Uganda and it has been a breeding ground for the Southern White Rhinos which are the only species of rhinos present in Uganda.

The vision to have rhinos back in their natural home was finally realized this year with the first translocation of rhinos from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in January 2026.

This is therefore the second translocation of rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. However, it is the first translocation to one of the Uganda’s national parks, and a popular safari destination.

The arrival in Kidepo National Park

Kidepo National Park is now the first game park to possess all the famous big five animals – rhino, elephant, buffalo, leopard and lion!

Previously, the only way to have a chance at ticking off all the big five in a short trip was to include a rhino walk at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the trip to Murchison Falls National Park. Hopefully, the next translocation can be to Murchison Falls National Park which is the Uganda’s biggest park and most popular safari destination.