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White Rhino
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White Rhino

Where to see White Rhino in Rwanda

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 Rwanda

Based on 6 reports by our travellers since Jan 2022, visitors at these camps in Rwanda 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 Rwanda holidays for white rhino sightings

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


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Golden Monkey Safari

12 days • 5 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

Combine four key areas of Rwanda on this excellent-value trip, for a true wildlife and cultural experience. The perfect itinerary for those who want to see all the highlights of Rwanda.

US$9,710 - US$12,170 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$14,380 - US$19,720 per person

View all holidays to Rwanda

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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