Rhinos, Hippos and Elephants Oh My

Absolute Safari - Uganda August 6 - 10 2023

There are two subspecies of rhinos, white and black. White rhinos tend to be larger and less aggressive than the smaller black rhinos. Ziwa Rhino ranch is the only place in Uganda to see the white rhinos. They are also one of the few places in the world where you are able to go rhino trekking. https://ziwarhinoandwildliferanch.com/

After getting dressed in long pants, tall socks and hiking boots we followed our guide and a member of the Ugandan military into the bush evading spiky grass and marshy wetlands. We finally saw the signal from the guide. Several rhinos ahead. We stopped, silently had our cameras ready. There behind the bush mama rhino and her baby. We stared at these massive animals snapping photo after photo. Then suddenly another rhino appeared. Slowly we moved to that location. Alas one of my friends stepped straight................... into a marshy puddle. Two hours went by in a flash. Then back to camp comparing photos.

Next stop was Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes, and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for a variety of species of animals, birds and plants. This includes 4 of the big five, 10 primate species including chimpanzees, and over 600 species of birds. Unfortunately, the park is no longer fenced so it is a prime location for poaching. We drove through the park to get to our campsite seeing very few animals.

As a biology major in college, we spent time learning about Jane Goodall and her work with wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. Over the years Goodall was able to correct a number of misconceptions. For example, chimpanzees are omnivorous, not vegetarian; that they are capable of making and using tools; and they have a set of complex and highly developed social behaviors.

Up early the next morning we travelled a short way to the Kalinzu Forest where we had the opportunity to go chimpanzee trekking. Along with 50 habituated chimpanzees, the forest hosts a variety of primates including black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys. We trekked through the forest until we spotted the family way up in the canopy of the trees. Photography was difficult so we just watched them for an hour, fly from tree to tree.

A highlight of Queen Elizabeth NP is the Kazinga Channel teeming with wildlife including hippos, elephants, buffalo and birds. We took a 2-hour afternoon cruise down the channel.