Rhino safari destinations in Kenya and Tanzania
Rhino safari destinations in Kenya and Tanzania : The rhino is one of Africa’s famous Big Five and a key attraction for safari tourists. Rough estimates place the current total number of black and white rhinos in Africa at only about 21,000. Although it’s a highly sought-after experience, seeing these critically endangered animals in the wild isn’t always simple.
What is the location of rhinos and why are they so rare in the wild? There previously were hundreds of thousands, if not more, of rhinos on the African continent. But when European colonisers devastated Africa’s wildlife in alarming numbers, big game hunting became more and more popular throughout the Victorian era. The creation of protected wildlife reserves was spurred by the observation of a decline in wildlife by conservationists, many of whom were also avid hunters. Up until the middle of the 20th century, rhino populations grew consistently.
The rhino population fell from an estimated 70,000 to barely 10,000 over a 20-year period, and the 1960s presented fresh challenges due to an explosion in demand for rhino horn. Due to strong conservation efforts championed to stop poaching and increase rhino numbers, rhinos are now nearly always seen during safari tours in Kenya and frequently live under armed security. Where are rhinos located these days? Opportunities to see rhinos are distinctive and varied in both Kenya and Tanzania. These are a few of East Africa’s top locations for rhino sightings.
Top places to see Rhinos
Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia Kenya
The greatest population of black rhinos in East Africa finds safety here, and the area is home to our Ol Pejeta Bush Camp. It is also a model of sustainability. Along with other threatened species like the African wild dog, cheetah, lion, Grevy’s zebra, and Jackson’s hartebeest, the conservancy takes great satisfaction in protecting the critically endangered rhino.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy provides plenty of opportunity to witness rhino in their natural habitat. It is home to around 165 severely endangered black rhinos and 44 southern white rhinos. Najin and Fatu, the two northern white rhinos who are left on the earth, also have a home in the conservancy. Because of their age, none of these rhinos is able to procreate. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy used a ground-breaking egg-harvesting method in August 2019, which gave rise to optimism for the species’ survival. The advancement of in vitro fertilisation technology is now crucial to the survival of the northern white rhino, notwithstanding its current classification as “functionally extinct.”
There are numerous habitats available within the 360 km² conservancy, including grasslands, bush lands, and riverine woods. The remarkably rich array of species that has resulted from such habitat diversity is surpassed only by the well-known Masai Mara in Kenya. Visitors to Ol Pejeta Conservancy are treated to a plethora of interactive conservation-driven activities in addition to the classic game-viewing experience and the chance to see the Big Five. June to October and December to March are the best times to go to Ol Pejeta.
Nairobi National Park in Kenya
Nairobi National Park, which is on the southwest edge of the city, is home to a robust population of white rhinos in addition to over 50 black rhinos. Kifaru Ark, which means “rhino” in Swahili, is the name given to the park in recognition of its accomplishments in safeguarding and reproducing rhinos; this term should not be confused with Rhino Ark.
Nairobi National Park, despite its small size, is home to a good variety of wildlife, including rhinos, which are nearly guaranteed sightings due to their high density within a relatively small area; plenty of lodging options are easily accessible in and around the city; and, for those who prefer an easy day trip at the start or end of a safari itinerary, the park offers easy access to the high density of rhinos.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy ,Kenya
Though it started off as a small rhino sanctuary in 1983, the present-day Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was established in 1995. In 1995, a new conservancy was established in response to the growing rhino population within the sanctuary, which required more area. Growing from 15 to 255 rhinos, the Lewa population now accounts for a sizeable share of Kenya’s rhino population.
Within the Lewa Conservancy, there are numerous lodging choices that provide varying degrees of luxury and adventure. Apart from walking safaris and game drives, there are a lot of other activities that provide insightful information about the different aspects of the reserve. These include going to nearby schools, fighting poaching, and touring Kenya’s elephant subway. The Ol Pejeta and Lewa conservancies have protected and expanded threatened animal species by using low-impact tourism and conservation as a platform. Visits are best from June to October and from December to March.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania
On the African continent, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides some of the most amazing opportunities for animal viewing. The Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact and unfilled caldera in the world, is the source of the region’s name. It provides a genuinely unique safari experience, with game drives across the crater floor as the caldera’s cliffs rise on all sides. More than 25,000 huge animals and several bird species call the area home. Even though there aren’t many rhinos in the crater, they can occasionally be seen from a distance as they are regularly seen lurking among the fever trees.
The Olmoti and Empakaai craters, which offer breathtaking walking opportunities amid a variety of vegetation with abundant bird life, are also located within the protection area in addition to the Ngorongoro Crater. The Highlands is strategically placed to have strategic access to the broader environment that the conservation area offers, while being far enough away from the Ngorongoro Crater to allow for wildlife drives. Since there are no other safari lodges nearby, the sense of exclusivity is unmatched. Your closest neighbours are traditional Maasai people who go about their everyday lives grazing cattle. Visits are best from June to October and from January to May.
Serengeti National Park in Tanzania
Imagine a vast expanse of undulating plains spanning 15,000 km², where granite kopjes, rivers, woods, and grasslands provide the ultimate African experience. This is the Serengeti National Park.
The Serengeti Rhino Project is located in the Moru Kopjes area of the south-central Serengeti. The majority of the rhinos that live in the Serengeti have a sanctuary in this well-patrolled area, however a few lucky Sayari Camp visitors have been known to sight black rhinos sometimes in the northern Serengeti. After a 1993 census revealed that there were only three black rhinos left in the park, down from an estimated 700 just 20 years earlier, the project was started in 1995. New calves have been born and more rhino have been added since the project’s inception in an effort to increase genetic variety. As of right now, the population has rebounded and is among East Africa’s greatest populations of black rhinos.
The Serengeti Rhino Project is located in the region known as Moru Kopjes in the south-central Serengeti. While some lucky Sayari Camp visitors have been known to sight black rhino periodically in the northern Serengeti, the area is well-patrolled by rangers and provides a sanctuary for the bulk of rhino that live in the Serengeti. An estimated 700 black rhinos were thought to have survived in the park just 20 years prior, but a 1993 census found that only three remained. This led to the project’s 1994 debut. There have been new calves born and more rhinos introduced since the initiative started in order to increase genetic variety. One of the biggest black rhino herds in East Africa, the population has rebounded and is now present. With a variety of large species and great cat numbers, wildlife watching in the Serengeti is exceptional throughout the year.
