Rhinoceroses are large herbivorous mammals identified by their characteristic horned snouts. The word rhinoceros comes from the Greek “Rhino” (rhino) & ceros (horn). poaching &loss of habitat have put all rhino species in danger of extinction. Currently, there are 29,000 rhinos in the wild.The largest rhino species is the white rhino ,white and black rhinos live in the grasslands and floodplains of eastern & southern Africa.
Rhinos spend their days & nights grazing and only sleep during the hottest parts of the day.during the rare times when they aren’t eating, they can be found enjoying a cooling mud soak ,these soaks also help to protect the animals from bugs and the mud is a natural sunblock.
Rhinos occasionally form groups called ‘crashers’. These groups are made up of a female and her offspring. A dominant male rules over an area of land,the male will allow some subdominant male to live on his territory ,females roam freely around several different territories.
The gestation period of a rhino is 15 to 16 months,usually having one baby at a time and reproducing every two &half to five years.Rhino live up-to 45 years.
Although these species are in Rwanda,it may be a little difficult to see them since they have just been reintroduced so therefore they haven’t been let out to the wild but they can sill be observed clearly at Ziwa rhino sanctuary in Uganda located in Nakasongola district 2 hours drive from Kampala.
At ziwa rhino sanctuary,you can trek them on foot or in the car and the chances of seeing them is 100%.
The black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) and the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), are indigenous to Uganda.
The sanctuary is home to at least 40 mammal and reptilian species including monkeys, antelopes, hippopotamuses, crocodiles and numerous bird species. Tourist facilities at the sanctuary include a safari lodge, guest house, budget accommodation, and camp grounds. The accommodations are two separate businesses and both have restaurants that offer meals to tourists. In addition to on foot rhino trekking, tourist activities include birding, canoe rides and nature walks