Rhino tracking

Rhino Tracking is preferably an early morning activity, as this gives us plenty of time to look for the Rhino. The tracking starts with a drive into the area where the Rhino was last seen. Once the guide has located fresh tracks we go onwards, together, by foot.

The guide will lead the way, about 5 metres ahead. It's very important to be as quiet as possible, as although White Rhino have very poor sight, they have an acute sense of smell and hearing. Because of this keen sense of smell, it may not be a direct route to see the rhino, as we don't want him, or her, to pick-up our scent. The guide will find the best way, and will aim to get as close as 50m, when it is not too dangerous. White Rhino walk slowly with their heads held close to the ground, but don't be decieved, they can run up to 40 km/hour if frightened!

Information about white rhinos

In Namibia the white Rhino is the only animal that got extinct in the last 150 years. Today all the white Rhino originate from South Africa. Where it had been saved from extinction in the 1920's. Some say there had only been 20 left but an official count in 1929 revealed 150 white Rhino.

Male white Rhino can have a shoulder height of 1.80 meter and weigh 2000-2300kg. Females weigh about 1400-1600kg. It is Africa's 3rd largest mammal. The horn is not a horn like an antelope, it is a mass of tubular filaments similar to hair, so it is not attached to the bone of the skull. The record length of the front horn has measured 158cm!! The white Rhino eats grass. Its lower lips are hard and its upper lips soft. They can crop grass down to 1cm in length.

Official literature says that the white Rhino bull is very territorial (2.6 sqkm) and that they seldom have left their territory by more than 100m if other white Rhinos are around. In our case we also noticed also this territorial behaviour but we also noticed that from time to time (twice in 1.5 years) that they go for an extended "walk" about 12km from their normal area. They stay about 4 to 5 days away and than come back again. Cows have a bigger home range than bulls up to 20 sqkm. The gestation period is 16 month and a calf weighs at birth about 40kg. The calf runs in front of the mother and is guided gently by her horn.