Go and find White Rhinos on safari with us
The white rhino’s sheer size, critical status and distinctive appearance on the conservation scale make it a thrilling and significant species to see on safari. White rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) are the most populous of the five rhino species with approximately 17, 500 animals found in national parks and reserves in 11 countries across Africa.
Its two horns are not true horns but consist of densely packed keratin fibers. There are two white rhino subspecies – southern (C.s. simum) and northern (C.s. cottoni), but as there are only two northern white rhinos left in the world – both females – that subspecies is considered functionally extinct. The two female rhinos belong to the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic but live in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya where they are protected by armed guards 24/7.
All of today’s white rhinos trace their origins to South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal, the final retreat of the species by 1900. Historically widespread across South Africa’s savannahs, the White Rhino was nearly hunted to extinction in the late 19th century, surviving only in KwaZulu-Natal’s Imfolozi region. Conservation efforts have led to reintroductions in wide parts of its former range. The Natal National Parks and surrounding private nature reserves together with the Kruger National Park, still support most of today’s population. The species has also been successfully reintroduced to selected reserves in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Kenya. It is a conservation success story!
White Rhino Poaching in Africa
Historically as a species, white rhinos made an incredible comeback from fewer than 100 individuals in the early 1900s to more than 21 000 at the end of 2012. Poaching remains a critical threat and unfortunately between 2012 and 2021 their numbers were reduced by over 25%. Anti – poaching success is being made and although the number of rhino deaths annually has decreased since the most recent peak in 2015, poaching remains the biggest threat to rhinos, and white rhinos in particular are the primary target. One rhino is shot and killed every fifteen hours – so the threat is extremely serios. Wherever white rhinos occur, conservationists and National Park rangers maintain tight security against the ongoing poaching threat. Many of these animals are under 24-hour armed guard because the threat of poaching is so high.
Just five countries hold 99% of Africa’s white rhinos – the vast majority of those are in South Africa. An interesting fact – at least half of the remaining African rhinos are now maintained on private or communal landholdings, a proportion that continues to grow; however, the cost of protecting rhinos from poaching is increasing dramatically. It is within this context that rhino custodianship on private and communal lands has emerged. Private landowners in South Africa and Namibia have been included in rhino conservation since the 1960s and play a critical role in the species survival.
The best places to see White Rhino in Africa
The vast majority of white rhinos are in southern Africa – notably South Africa, both in national parks and private reserves. In most cases they can be easily approached by vehicle and there is a good chance of seeing them whilst you are on safari. On a walking safari they can be tracked on foot. Certainly, a highlight of your trip be seeing White Rhinos at close quarters with your game ranger in the African bush.
Good viewing is typically around waterholes, where the animals drink daily, or at mud wallows, where they cool off during the midday heat.
White Rhino Safaris in Namibia
Namibia has a few hundred white rhinos especially in the northern regions of Etosha and surrounds. Etosha National Park Namibia is named after the huge central salt pan. The game is plentiful and the waterholes are excellent places to observe rhinos. The floodlight water holes at the rest camps inside the park draw rhino and theres a good chance of seeing them there.
The main populations can be found in Etosha National Park, Palmwag Reserve and the northern Kunene area. There are also a number of private nature reserves in Namibia that offer almost guaranteed sightings of both Black and White Rhinoceros. Many of the rhinos in Namibia are found on private land and in community-run conservancies under a unique custodianship program.
If you want to see rhinos in Namibia then browse our accommodation and safari options. Here are a few of our bespoke safari camps and lodges.
Ongava Tented Camp
Etosha National Park. Ongava Lodge is perched on a rocky ridge within the dolomite hills of Ondundozonanandana. The lodge features just 14 spacious, en-suite chalets, thoughtfully designed with rock and thatch to blend seamlessly into the natural environment. Its close proximity to Etosha adds to its appeal. There are rhinos on this private reserve as well as nearby Etosha.
Etosha Mountain Lodge
On your Namibia safari get to Natural Selection Etosha Heights. If there’s one animal that dominates your game viewing experience here it is the white rhino. The animals are free to roam between this private reserve and Etosha. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives or embark on a private safari to nearby Etosha National Park.
White Rhino safaris in South Africa
South Africa largest number of rhinos in Africa, supporting 81% of the white rhinos and 33% of the black rhinos remaining on the continent rhino numbers. Rhino numbers have decreased in the South African National Park by 75% over the past decade. The situation is serious and might not seem accurate when poaching numbers appear to go down. However, it only seems like there are fewer poaching incidents because the overall rhino population numbers are continually decreasing. These alarming statistics imply that this species faces the threat of total extinction.
Rhinos in Kruger National Park
This world-famous park is home to a large population of rhinos, including white rhinos. The southern and central regions of the park, such as around Skukuza and Lower Sabie, are known for the best white rhino sightings. The top location to see White Rhinos in Kruger National Park is Lukimbi Safari Lodge.
Stay at Rhino Post Safari Lodge or exclusive safari accommodation in Sabi Sands at Ulusaba for some of the best game viewing in Africa. There is a good chance of spotting rhinos at both of these great safari venues.
Black and White Rhinos in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
As one of Africa’s oldest nature reserves and the place where White Rhinos were saved from extinction – this is definitely worth a visit. It was here in in1894 with only 40 Southern white rhinos still alive in northern KZN (Zululand) a dream to save them was born. This ultimately led to the establishment of the iMfolozi Game Reserve.
In 1960, conservationist Dr. Ian Player launched Operation Rhino. This project’s aim was to relocate the recovered population of white rhinos to a number of protected areas across Africa. It was a huge success, and the white rhino population grew every year throughout the continent until 2012 when poaching started to take its toll.
Rhinos in Madikwe Game Reserve South Africa
Madikwe Game Reserve South Africa is home to the greatest density of Rhino in Africa. It is a prime destination for rhino conservation and the park is committed to do all they can to preserve these majestic beasts. It is the perfect place for family safaris in South Africa.
Home to both black and white rhinos, this malaria-free reserve offers exceptional opportunities to spot white rhino in their natural habitat. Guided safaris provide a safe, up-close experience while supporting critical efforts to protect endangered rhino populations.
White Rhino safaris in Kenya
When you are on safari in Kenya you have the incredible opportunity of seeing both sub-species of White Rhino. The only two remaining northern white rhinos are found in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the Laikipia region. Theres more good news as you can also see over 165 highly endangered black rhino and 44 southern white rhinos in the conservancy.
The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya also has a healthy well protected population of white rhinos for your safari.
More about White Rhinos
The White Rhino was named due to a misunderstanding of the Dutch word “wyd” (wide), referring to its broad square mouth. Despite the names both White and Black Rhinos are similar in color, with the White Rhino being larger and less aggressive. White rhinos are strict grazers feeding on short grasses but adapting to taller grasses when necessary – they prefer open savannahs. Their wide square lipped mouths allow for efficient grazing with each bite collected by their upper and lower lips.
White rhinos can live to be between 35-40 years of age in the wild. Gestation lasts approximately 16 months, and mothers give birth to one calf every 2-3 years. Calves remain with their mothers for 2-3 years, until the mother gives birth again.
Territoriality of male White Rhinos
Dominant White Rhino bulls maintain exclusive territories of 2-5 square kilometers, shared with subordinate males. The size of their territory depends on many factors, including the quality and availability of food and water in a particular area. Each territory is held by a single mature male, often with between one and three resident satellite bulls. The territory owner ignores these satellite bulls, as long as they behave submissively. Territorial bulls are far more aggressive to foreign bulls than to resident satellite bulls and fights between males are common.
White Rhino Females
The territories of female white rhinos often overlap with multiple male territories, with home ranges spanning 6-20 km². White rhino cows are rarely solitary and are typically sociable, often seen in pairs, usually with their latest calf. A juvenile remains with its mother for about three years. When the mother gives birth again, the older calf seeks a companion of similar age and sex until it establishes its own territory.
White rhinos alternate between feeding and resting during both day and night. In hot, dry conditions, they rest during the peak heat, often spending this time wallowing in mud to stay cool and remove skin parasites. They need to drink water every 2-4 days and in the absence of mud, will roll in dry dust to manage their skin.