Southern White Rhinos in Ajai Wildlife Reserve

Southern White Rhinos in Ajai Wildlife Reserve: In January 2026, Ajai Wildlife Reserve became the second home of southern white rhinos in Uganda after a successful translocation from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. For over 20 years, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has been the only home for rhinos in Uganda. As of today, tourists are able to meet southern white rhinos in both Ajai Wildlife Reserve and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Uganda Wildlife Authority managed to successfully transfer rhinos back to the wild in Ajai Wildlife Reserve after 45 years. With the reintroduction of the rhinos in Ajai Wildlife Reserve, the Murchison Falls Conservation Area is now home to the big five mammals, which are lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, and rhinos.

Ajai Wildlife Reserve is now home to 4 rhinos, but the target is 20 rhinos over time. The communities around the Ajai Wildlife Reserve were happy after the reintroduction of the rhinos. The community members were asked not to hunt these rhinos down and also report any activity that may threaten their safety, so as to increase their number over the years.

Established in 1962 as a white rhino sanctuary, Ajai Wildlife Reserve on the western bank of the Nile between Pakwach and Nimule is back to being a home of rhinos after several years. The new home of the rhinos used to be a habitat of these rhinos until the 1970s, when all it had was poached due to high demand for rhino products.

With the reintroduction of the southern white rhinos, more tourists will visit the reserve, and this will improve the infrastructure within the region. The young people around the community will also get an opportunity to work with Uganda Wildlife Authority, and the community will also benefit from revenue sharing.

The newly translocated rhinos in Ajai Wildlife Reserve are being monitored by a team from Uganda Wildlife Authority. After getting used to the area, there are plans to take more rhinos to make a total of 20 rhinos. Very soon, Ajai Wildlife Reserve will be one of the areas not to miss out visiting during a safari in Uganda, especially for those that want to encounter all the nig five mammals.

Apart from Rhinos, the reserve is home to wildlife species such as the sitatungas, common duikers, blue duikers, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, and hippos, to mention but a few. On a safari to this reserve, tourists are able to encounter some of these animals by taking part in the nature walk activities. It costs $10 for foreign nonresidents, $5 for foreign residents, and the Rest of Africa, while Citizens of East African Member States pay UGX2500 to access the reserve.

Best time to go to Ajai Wildlife Reserve

Tourists should know that this reserve is open throughout the year for all tourism activities. The best time to go to this reserve is during the dry months of the year when there is little or no rainfall. June to September and December to February are the best times for the visits as the game tracks are dry and easier to walk through. The vegetation within the reserve is short and scattered in the dry season, giving a clear view of the attractions, and the roads leading to the reserve are passable.

Tourists, especially those looking for discounted tours and those who hate less crowded places, can visit Ajai Wildlife Reserve in the low season months of March to May and October to November. These months are rainy season months, and tourists should expect rainfall at any time of the day. The tracks in the park can be muddy and slippery, vegetation can be tall with unclear views of some of the wildlife, and the roads to the reserve may be muddy and slippery.

Getting to Ajai Wildlife Reserve.

Located in the Murchison Falls Conservation Area on the western bank of the Nile between Nimule and Pakwach, the reserve can be accessed within a single day by air and road transport. By air transport, tourists can fly to Pakuba Airstrip from Entebbe International Airport and later drive to this reserve, taking a few hours less than road transport.

Road transport is the most common means of transport tourists use to get to Ajai. From Entebbe, tourists are able to drive through Luwero, Nakasongola, Masindi, and Pakwach to the reserve. Road transport comes with great views of attractions along the way, and as tourists pass through Murchison Falls National Park, they are able to see some of the park’s animals as well as the mighty River Nile.