Tracking Rhinos in the African bush
Big Five safaris are still the most popular tours to East Africa so travel with Voyage2Africa on a specialised safari holiday to track rhinos in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Namibia. This exciting safari with a difference to our favourite Big 5 national parks and wildlife reserves takes wildlife enthusiasts to Kruger, Ngorongoro Crater, Damaraland, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Laikipia Plateau.
Rhinos are one of the most iconic and majestic animals in Africa. Unfortunately, they are also one of the most endangered species due to poaching and habitat loss. The good news is that there are still places in Africa where you can see these incredible creatures in their natural habitat.
Here are some of the best places to track rhinos in Africa:
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger National Park is one of the most popular destinations for wildlife enthusiasts in Africa, and it’s not hard to see why. With over 7,500 square miles of wilderness, the park is home to a vast array of wildlife, including the big five. Kruger is home to both black and white rhinos, and while sightings are never guaranteed, visitors have a good chance of spotting them in the wild. The best time to see rhinos is during the dry season (May to September) when the vegetation is sparse, and the animals congregate around water sources.
Stay in the Rhino Post Safari Lodge – where rhinos are the main attraction and the story goes that a rhino would come and rub a wooden post nearby until it was smooth. Join the Rhino Post team on a life-changing walking safari to find rhinos and stay the night under the stars in the Sleep Out at Plains Camp.
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most unique and beautiful natural wonders. The crater is home to an estimated 25,000 animals, including a small population of black rhinos. The crater floor is a mix of grassland, forest, and wetlands, and the rhinos can often be found grazing in grassy areas. Like Kruger, the best time to see rhinos in Ngorongoro Crater is during the dry season.
Stay at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – discover endangered black rhinos, huge elephants, lions and flamingos too, taking long game drives to spend days gasping in awe at the hugest intact caldera in the world, part of the eastern Rift Valley, and a place where the evolution of volcanos dates back to the late Mesozoic / early Tertiary periods.
Damaraland, Namibia
Namibia’s dramatic Damaraland is one of the best places in Africa to see desert-adapted black rhinos. These animals have evolved to survive in some of the harshest conditions on earth and can be found in remote areas of the Namib Desert. Tracking rhinos in Namibia is a unique experience, and visitors will need to go on a guided safari with a knowledgeable guide who knows the area and the rhinos’ habits.
Stay at Desert Rhino Camp – the main activity is rhino tracking in the 400,000-hectare private Palmwag Concession. When trackers find a rhino they radio the 4×4 vehicle and guests go in on foot – very exciting! Desert Rhino has been a joint venture between Namibia’s Save the Rhino Trust and Wilderness for more than 20 years. A portion of every guest’s revenue goes to the Trust.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a private wildlife conservancy located in central Kenya. It is home to the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, where visitors can see rhinos up close and personal. It’s also home to the world’s last two remaining northern white rhinos, and visitors can visit the animals at the Endangered Species Enclosure. Tracking rhinos in Ol Pejeta is a fantastic experience on foot or by vehicle.
Stay at Elewana Kifaru House in the Lewa Conservancy – home to healthy populations of white and black rhinos, the name Kifaru meaning ‘rhino’ in Swahili. Come and find these endangered Big Five animals on a Rhino Safari of a lifetime deep within the 65 000 ha of the private Lewa Conservancy home to 12% of all rhinos in Kenya.
Laikipia Plateau below Mt Kenya, Kenya
The Laikipia Plateau is a vast wilderness area located in central Kenya, just below Mount Kenya, home to a variety of wildlife, including black and white rhinos. Tracking rhinos in Laikipia is a unique experience, and visitors can do so on foot or by vehicle with an experienced guide. The area is also home to some fantastic lodges and camps, making it a great destination for a safari.
Stay at Ol Malo Lodge – Seek out half of Kenya’s black and white rhino populations, the second largest elephant concentration in the country, African wild dogs and lions too. Ol Malo is a sanctuary for both wildlife and livestock, a working farm that shows that domestic and wild animals can thrive in one large habitat. Get close to wildlife in the pristine bush on horseback safaris and camel rides!
Go rhino tracking with Voyage2Africa and stay in top-end safari lodges, bush camps and rustic cabins in the wilderness of East Africa. We customise package tours to Kenya, Tanzania, Kruger, Namibia and Mozambique for your next rhino-tracking safari.
There are still wild destinations in Africa where you can see rhinos in their natural habitats, but it’s important to remember that these animals are endangered, and their populations are declining. When visiting these destinations, it’s important to do so responsibly, support conservation efforts, and respect the animals and their habitats. This is the core of ethical travel and committing to sustainable or responsible tourism. By doing so, we can help ensure that future generations will be able to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.