Where to see White Rhino in Zimbabwe
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.
Quick facts about White Rhino
| Scientific name: | Ceratotherium simum | Habitat: | Woodland savannah |
|---|---|---|---|
| IUCN status: | Near Threatened | Adult weight: | 1,800–2,700kg |
Zimbabwe is home to Africa’s fourth largest white rhino population, with 417 recorded in a recent census. Driven to extinction in the country by 1900, the species was reintroduced from the 1960s. At first, this proved successful - by the mid-1980s there were more than 120 white rhinos in Hwange, Zimbabwe’s premier national park - but by the 1990s, poaching had taken a heavy toll on populations in state reserves. Numbers have since risen in private conservancies in the south and southeast, which is where the bulk are found today. Around 50 white rhinos also remain in Matobo National Park, near Bulawayo. Today, poaching persists, but community-based conservation schemes are working to turn this around.
±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 Zimbabwe
Based on 24 reports by our travellers since Aug 2018, visitors at these camps in Zimbabwe have the best chances of sighting white rhino .
Best chances to see
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Best areas to see white rhinos in Zimbabwe
Although the vast majority of white rhinos are in southern Africa – notably South Africa - they can still be seen in other countries. Reasonably approachable by vehicle, they may also be tracked on foot.
Zimbabwe: white rhino hot spots
Zimbabwe’s white rhinos are most easily seen in the private conservancies of the south and southeast ‘lowveld’ region, notably Save Valley, Bubye Valley and Malilangwe. Sightings are also reliable in Matobo National Park south of Bulawayo, both in the northern public areas and the Whovi intensive protection zone, and guided walks here will often take you very close. Today white rhinos have almost disappeared from Hwange National Park but can be seen on secure conservancies around the park boundary, including at Imvelo Ngamo Rhino Sanctuary. Elsewhere in the country, white rhinos roam a handful of smaller recreational parks, including Chivero, near Harare, and Lake Mutirikwi, near Masvingo. The species has never occurred in the Lower Zambezi Valley, known as the historic home of the black rhino.
Our best Zimbabwe holidays for white rhino sightings
Based on our travellers' reports, these ideas for Zimbabwe safaris are likely to give the best white rhino sightings
Ground Hornbill Safari
9 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO BULAWAYO AIRPORT
This Zimbabwean odyssey explores Hwange National Park from two small camps, renowned for their great guiding, before ending with insights into cultural history, a little luxury and first-class rhino tracking in the Matobo Hills.
US$5,540 - US$8,560 per person
Klipspringer Safari
8 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO BULAWAYO AIRPORT
An outstanding-value Zimbabwe safari exploring Victoria Falls and two contrasting locations in western Zimbabwe – Hwange and the Matobo Hills – giving you a real feel for Zimbabwe, its people and wildlife.
US$3,040 - US$3,570 per person
Rock Hare Self-drive Safari
20 days • 12 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
An in-depth look at Namibia from the Namib Desert to the Caprivi, with additional stops in Botswana and Victoria Falls. This three-week adventure includes an unrivalled mix of environments and is great value.
US$6,570 - US$8,340 per person
Pygmy Mouse Self-drive Safari
18 days • 10 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
A truly epic southern African self-drive safari adventure from Namibia’s mountains and deserts, along the lush Caprivi Strip to Botswana and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, staying at luxury lodges throughout.
US$8,720 - US$10,420 per person
Leopard Safari
13 days • 4 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Victoria Falls, Botswana and Cape Town – a classic southern African itinerary combining luxury, wilderness, safari and culture. We can't think of a better way to spend two weeks.
US$13,460 - US$18,020 per person
Bat Hawk Safari
7 days • 2 locations
HARARE AIRPORT TO JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT
Explore two areas revered by safari enthusiasts with some of Africa’s best walking and some superb guiding – even by Zimbabwe’s high standards – for a varied and wonderfully immersive wilderness experience.
US$8,670 - US$9,130 per person
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$16,330 - US$19,740 per person
Sable Self-drive Safari
12 days • 7 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
A great-value southern African self-drive adventure from Namibia along the Caprivi Strip to Botswana and Zimbabwe, combining other-worldly landscapes, unforgettable wildlife spectacles and rarely visited places, and ending at Victoria Falls.
US$7,700 - US$9,290 per person
Great Egret Safari
12 days • 4 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
This wonderfully varied adventure combines Botswana's Okavango Delta and a live-aboard houseboat safari on the Chobe River, with big game in Zimbabwe's dry Hwange National Park and the stupendous Victoria Falls.
US$10,360 - US$17,420 per person
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 .
