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White Rhino
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White Rhino

Where to see White Rhino in Kenya

The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. More visible and approachable than the black rhino, it survives today thanks to over a century of intensive conservation.


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Quick facts about White Rhino

Scientific name: Ceratotherium simum Habitat: Woodland savannah
IUCN status: Near Threatened Adult weight: 1,800–2,700kg

The white rhino is the world’s largest land animal after the elephants and, on average, nearly twice the weight of the black rhino. ‘White’ does not describe its colour, which is grey, but may derive from the Dutch word wijd and refer to its ‘wide’ mouth – an adaptation for grazing.

Other features that distinguish it from the black rhino include a huge head, invariably held low, a humped shoulder and a fin-like ridge on the spine. White rhinos form small groups of females and young that graze regular ‘lawns’.

Adult bulls are solitary, and mark their territories using large dung middens. Female produce a single calf, born without a horn, roughly every three years.


±18,000

Population (IUCN, 2018)

50km/h

Max. speed

±50 years

Life expectancy

205cm

Record horn length

The top camps for seeing white rhino in Kenya

Based on 145 reports by our travellers since Jul 2018, visitors at these camps in Kenya have the best chances of sighting white rhino .


Best chances to see

Good chances to see

Some sightings

No sightings yet

Top 10 camps for white rhino

% of travellers who saw white rhino

Top 10 camps for white rhino

% of travellers who saw white rhino

Where to see white rhinos in Africa

The vast majority of white rhinos are in southern Africa – notably South Africa, both in national parks and private reserves. Reasonably approachable by vehicle, they may also be tracked on foot.


Top tips for viewing white rhinos

All today’s white rhinos trace their origins to South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal, the final retreat of the species by 1900. The reserves here, together with the Kruger Park, still support most of today’s population, but the species has also been reintroduced to selected reserves in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Kenya.

Wherever white rhinos occur, conservationists maintain tight security against the ongoing poaching threat. Good viewing is typically around waterholes, where the animals drink daily, or at mud wallows, where they cool off during the midday heat.

This species is reasonably docile and more tolerant than black rhino of vehicles. Guided walking trails also offer thrilling encounters and allow you to explore rhino terrain, with its rubbing posts, wallows, dung middens and other tell-tale signs.

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Our best Kenya holidays for white rhino sightings

Based on our travellers' reports, these ideas for Kenya safaris are likely to give the best white rhino sightings


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Golden Jackal Fly-in Safari

8 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

A contrasting safari of a lodge and a tented camp, with action-packed activities in Laikipia and wildlife-filled game drives in the Maasai Mara, offers a consistently high-quality experience.

US$9,730 - US$14,130 per person

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Rothschild Giraffe Safari

8 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

A example of a luxury Kenyan safari, starting at the iconic Giraffe Manor before fabulous stays on the spectacular Solio Reserve and Sala’s Camp in a remote corner of the Maasai Mara.

US$11,720 - US$17,830 per person

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Big Cat Fly-in Safari

8 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Combining two of Kenya’s best wildlife-viewing areas, this slow-paced safari to the Lewa Conservancy and Maasai Mara guarantees iconic wildlife. The long-established, well-rated camps are great value, too.

US$5,010 - US$8,850 per person

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Tawny Eagle Fly-in Safari

7 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Explore Laikipia and the Maasai Mara ecosystem with stays in the Ol Pejeta and Naboisho conservancies. Two smart yet authentically rustic bush camps provide a traditional safari experience, offering a high standard of guiding and excellent level of care.

US$4,340 - US$8,630 per person

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African Hawk-Eagle Fly-in Safari

7 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Two luxurious camps provide relatively quiet game-viewing within Laikipia and the Mara ecosystem. Situated on private conservancies, both Lewa Wilderness and Naboisho offer the chance to sight all of the "Big 5" and to enjoy a range of safari activities.

US$8,510 - US$16,430 per person

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African Finfoot Fly-in Safari

7 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

After a unique start in Nairobi National Park, classic, luxurious camps combine for a high-end and exclusive safari in fantastic wildlife destinations.

US$9,900 - US$17,340 per person

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Purple Grenadier Fly-In Safari

6 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Fantastic guiding from intimate, well-run mid-range tented camps, in superb conservancy locations: this safari is all about making the most of the incredible wildlife in Laikipia and the Maasai Mara.

US$5,010 - US$7,130 per person

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Black Kite Fly-in Safari

10 days • 4 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Explore Kenya in-depth with visits to Nairobi and Meru national parks, the Mara Conservancies and Amboseli. Nestled in remoter regions, four camps provide fantastic access to rich game, a range of activities and beautifully diverse landscapes.

US$9,260 - US$11,960 per person

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Peregrine Falcon Fly-In Safari

6 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Discover two of Kenya’s quieter wildlife havens with visits to Meru National Park and Mara North Conservancy. Top-quality sister camps provide considerable comfort and a range of activities by which to explore the game-rich surroundings.

US$6,910 - US$8,980 per person

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The Highlights of Africa

17 days • 7 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

An epic adventure taking in some of Africa’s most incredible sights and wildlife experiences, from Cape Town to the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, the Maasai Mara and an encounter with mountain gorillas.

US$14,440 - US$19,790 per person

View all holidays to Kenya

More information about white rhino in our other destinations

Click here for detailed information about white rhino in other countries, including the places for sighting white rhino .


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