5 Places to See Rhinos in Africa

Photo Credit – Cal Bailey

These large herbivorous mammals are among some of the most threatened species on the planet. The black rhino is so critically endangered, there are fewer than 5,000 in Africa, where conservationists are doing everything they can to save them from extinction.

Rhinos have been hunted for many years because their horns are believed to contain ‘healing properties’ and are therefore worth a fortune on the black market. Poaching is still a major problem, despite valiant efforts by local conservationists to protect them.

If you want to see these magnificent beasts in their natural habitat, here are five top spots in Africa where you might find them.

Two areas with the greatest population of white rhinos are Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Hluhluwe, a beautiful reserve in the Zululand hills, is home to all of the big five, including a large number of white rhinos. If you’re very lucky, you may even spot a rare black rhino as well.

Kruger has one of the largest populations of white rhinos in Africa. There are believed to be around 10,000 in the vast national park, most of which can be found in the southern areas.

The Darmaland region in the western area of Namibia is home to the largest population of free roaming black rhino in East Africa. Plamwag Reserve is home to the Save the Rhino Trust headquarters, where conservationists work tirelessly to preserve the black rhinos that have adapted to the desert habitat here.

Black rhinos can also be seen at Etosha National Park in North West Namibia. The best chance of spotting one is during the dry season at night, when rhinos come down to drink at the waterholes.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the Laikipia region of Kenya is East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary. Here, local communities and private landowners have united to create a massive conservation area for free-roaming wildlife, away from the dangers of poachers and hunters.

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, also in the Laikipia region, is one of the most pioneering and successful reserves for preserving and sustaining the critically small numbers of black rhino.