Wildlife Reserve · West Nile (Madi-Okollo & Arua)
Ajai Wildlife Reserve
Once a stronghold of the northern white rhino, and since January 2026 home again to rhinos, the first moved within Uganda from Ziwa.
How to get there
By road from Arua (about an hour), or via Pakwach from Murchison Falls; scheduled flights serve Arua.
What to find
Southern white rhinos, Albert Nile wetlands, savanna wildlife and a rarely visited corner of Uganda.
Overview
Ajai Wildlife Reserve covers about 166 km² of savanna and wetland along the Albert Nile in the West Nile region. It was created in the 1960s to protect northern white rhinos, before rhinos were wiped out in Uganda in the early 1980s.
In January 2026, four southern white rhinos were moved to Ajai from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the first time Uganda has moved rhinos between its own protected areas. More are planned. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has listed rhino tracking at Ajai in its 2027 tariffs.
Highlights
- Rhinos back in Ajai for the first time in more than 40 years
- Albert Nile wetlands and seasonal swamps
- Uganda kob, warthog, hippos and wetland birds
- A genuinely off-the-beaten-track destination
Things to do
Rhino tracking
Listed by UWA for 2027. We confirm arrangements when booking.
Game drives and walks
Guided by UWA rangers.
Birding
Wetland and savanna species.
Best time to visit
The dry season (roughly December to March) makes roads and tracks easier.
Getting there
By road from Arua, about an hour away, or via Pakwach after visiting Murchison Falls. Arua has scheduled flights from Entebbe.
Where to stay
Hotels in Arua. Facilities at the reserve itself are still developing.
See accommodation options in Uganda →
Good to know
- Combine with Murchison Falls and the West Nile region for a less-visited itinerary.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.