Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Big Five · Ceratotherium simum

White rhino

A grazing giant with a square lip, the more sociable rhino species.

IUCN statusNear Threatened
Best timeAll year
Our guides1 destinations

White rhinos graze on grass in small groups. Southern white rhinos recovered from fewer than 100 animals a century ago, though poaching remains a serious threat.

Best places to see it

Where to see it

  • Kruger and nearby private reserves
  • Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda
  • Hluhluwe-iMfolozi in South Africa
  • Eswatini’s Hlane

Our destination guides: Kruger National Park

Best time

All year.

Tips

  • Turn off geotagging on photos.

Did you know?

  • The name may come from the Afrikaans or Dutch word for “wide”, describing its mouth.

Conservation status: Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Check iucnredlist.org for the latest assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to see the white rhino in Africa?

Kruger and nearby private reserves; Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda; Hluhluwe-iMfolozi in South Africa.

Is the white rhino endangered?

It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

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