THE RETURN OF THE RHINO - A NEW ERA FOR KIDEPO
Kidepo Valley National Park is a place of breathtaking extremes, with rugged mountains and claw-marked valleys giving way to sweeping grasslands. Vast and spectacularly beautiful, it evokes the timeless image of African wilderness. Wildlife here thrives: elephant numbers are growing steadily, and the park is rich in plains game and predators. But one key species is missing - the rhino.
Once, they roamed this landscape freely, shaping the ecosystem alongside elephants, lions, buffalo, and countless other species. But decades of poaching, conflict, and habitat loss drove them to extinction within Uganda’s borders.
We’re working to change that. The Kidepo Rhino Project is an ambitious initiative to reintroduce both eastern black rhinos and southern white rhinos to the park. The goal is to restore ecological balance and secure the future of one of Africa’s most iconic species, starting with a 17,050-acre fenced sanctuary in the Narus Valley, where rhinos will be reintroduced in carefully managed phases.
In the first stage, a number of white rhinos will establish a breeding population that forms the foundation for long-term recovery. This will be followed by the introduction of eastern black rhinos to help repopulate their former range. Advanced tracking, strong anti-poaching measures, and veterinary safeguards will support their protection, while community engagement efforts will build local support and lasting benefits.
The effort is being led by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), in collaboration with the Uganda Conservation Foundation and other conservation organizations, wildlife experts, and local communities. WildLandscapes is proud to play a central role by mobilizing funding, building partnerships, and supporting the long-term success of the project.
To give the rhinos the best possible start, we’re preparing both the environment and the surrounding communities. With support from the Platcorp Foundation, we’ve launched two key initiatives that are laying the groundwork for their return.
The first is focused on tsetse flies. Though small, these insects pose a serious threat. They transmit trypanosomiasis, a disease particularly dangerous to rhinos, especially under stress. While Kidepo offers ideal conditions in most respects, this challenge needs to be addressed. We’ve initiated a targeted tsetse control programme designed to reduce fly numbers to safe levels, allowing rhinos to gradually build immunity and adapt to their new home.
This approach, which has been proven to work in Kenya’s Meru National Park, is being led by respected wildlife vet Dr. Matthew Mutinda. In addition to improving the health and safety of the habitat, it also provides local employment and fosters a sense of shared ownership among surrounding communities.
The second project may not be headline-grabbing, but it’s just as important. For conservation to succeed, we need support from the people living along the park’s edge. Through stakeholder engagement, we identified a priority: livelihood diversification. In response, we’ve partnered again with the Platcorp Foundation to launch a poultry farming initiative. Thirty women from Murungole Community Conservancy are receiving support to start small-scale poultry businesses. The project offers reliable income while reinforcing positive connections between local wellbeing and rhino conservation.
Nearly 1,000 tsetse targets have already been deployed.
The poultry farming project will bring conservation benefits to the women of Morungole Conservancy.
The return of rhinos to Kidepo is about more than bringing back a species. Rhinos are ecosystem engineers. They shape vegetation, open up grazing areas, and support the health of the entire savanna. Their reintroduction will also strengthen conservation-based tourism, creating new opportunities for communities nearby.
With a five-year plan in motion and a committed team of partners, the Kidepo Rhino Project offers a rare opportunity to rewrite the story of this landscape. A future where rhinos roam Uganda’s wild places once again is not just possible—it’s within reach.
The Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF), founded in 2001, is a UK-registered charity that works in close partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to restore national parks, reconnect wildlife corridors, and reduce illegal activity. Its efforts include building ranger infrastructure, running anti-snare patrols, and supporting education and livelihoods in neighbouring communities. UCF’s field-based work has contributed to the recovery of elephants, giraffes, lions and other key species in Uganda.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) manages the country’s network of national parks and reserves. With a mandate to conserve Uganda’s rich biodiversity, UWA supports species protection, ecological research, and nature-based tourism. Its responsibilities include tackling poaching, resolving human–wildlife conflict, and leading wildlife reintroductions, including Uganda’s national rhino recovery strategy.
The Rhino Recovery Fund (RRF), an initiative of the Wildlife Conservation Network, supports rhino conservation across Africa and Asia. It provides fast, flexible funding for anti-poaching, habitat protection, and community-led initiatives that address both immediate threats and long-term recovery. The fund enables trusted local partners to respond quickly and effectively in high-risk areas.
Founded in 2020, the Platcorp Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Platcorp Group, providing long-term support for landscape conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and renewable energy across Africa. Recent partnerships include funding for conservancies in Kenya and community initiatives in Uganda that link environmental stewardship with rural development.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is the national authority responsible for conserving Kenya’s wildlife and protected areas. Established in 1989, it manages over 40 national parks and reserves, oversees ecological monitoring, and addresses human–wildlife conflict. KWS works with communities, private landowners, and NGOs to protect biodiversity and maintain essential corridors across Kenya.