White Rhinoceros Population in the Kenya National Parks on the Up

The white rhinoceros is one of two rhino species found in Kenya, with the other being the black rhino.

Although these are the most endangered of the Kenya animals, their populations are slowly increasing and you can see several dozen rhinos in a couple of Kenya national parks and private conservancies.

The white species are themselves divided into 2 sub-species; the northern and the critically endangered southern white rhinos. Kenya is home to both.

What's in a Name?

Interestingly, the names of the white and black rhino species have nothing to do with the color of their coats which range from brown to dark gray for both species.

Several explanations abound about the origin of these misnomers. The most popular of these is that the white rhinoceros derives its name from "weit" which is the Dutch word for "wide," on account of its wide, square mouth.

On the other hand, the black rhino - so called in order to distinguish it from its "white" counterpart - has a triangular, pointed mouth.

And these are not idle anatomical differences. The white rhino is a grazer and its wide, square mouth is suitable for picking up a sizeable chunk of grass while the black rhino's pointed mouth is ideal for browsing; for effortlessly plucking tree leaves, fruits and buds.

So while the white rhino's favorite habitat is open grasslands, you are more likely to find the black species among denser vegetation and shrubs.

Distinctive White Rhinoceros Facts

• This rhino species is the second-largest land-based mammal. Attaining a shoulder height of 1.5 to 1.9 m (4.9 to 6.2 ft) and weighing between a colossal 1,360 and 3,630 kg (3,000 and 8,000 lb), it is only beaten to the top spot by the fascinating African elephant

• This white rhino, is along with its black counterpart, part of the coveted "Big Five" which also include the African lion, leopard, African elephant and buffalo. As such, no Kenya safari is complete until you've spotted and photographed all 5

• Despite its size, the white rhino can run fast and it is able to attain a speed of 50 km (31 miles) per hour. And, contrary to the popular myths about its lack of agility, it is, in fact, able to make some pretty sharp turns when running at full speed

Be sure to visit our rhino Facts page for information that is common to both the black and white rhinoceros.

White Rhino Safari in Kenya

As is the case everywhere else in the world, Kenya's endangered rhino population was almost poached to extinction in the 2 decades between the 1970s to the early 1990s. This is because its horn is a key ingredient of Chinese herbal medicine and it is also used as a dagger sheath in Yemen.

However, thanks to concerted conservation efforts by the country's wildlife authorities and the strict enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species which bans all trade in rhino products, this species' population in Kenya is steadily rising again.

These are probably the most gratifying destinations for a taking in the amazing sights of this remarkable Kenya animal which is defying extinction:

• Lake Nakuru National Park, which is home more than 4 dozen southern white rhinos. This park is visited as much for its famous flamingoes as it is for its rhinos...

  And, you don't have to choose between either of these attractions as there will be plenty of opportunity to photograph these giant Kenya animals against the backdrop of a pink Lake Nakuru (this improbable color is courtesy of the pink plumes of millions of flamingoes), which, by the way, make the list of the Kenya birds Premier League.

• Nairobi National Park, on the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is home to nearly a dozen whites.

• The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a 62,000 acre private wildlife sanctuary in Laikipia District on the foothills of Mount Kenya, the highest of the mountains in Kenya. 46 southern white rhinos call the conservancy home.

• The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 90,000 acre private wildlife sanctuary that is also located in Laikipia District. It is home to 12 southern and 4 rare northern white rhinos which were donated by the Czech government in December 2009...

  The conservancy is therefore the last hope to save the critically endangered northern whites from extinction. The allure of seeing some truly rare animal species is complemented the conservancy's incredible location. It straddles the equator and offers magnificent views of both Mount Kenya and the Aberdare mountain ranges most of which are located in Aberdare National Park.

• The 17,000-acre Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy on the edge of the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve is home to one of the highest white rhinos populations in the country although the exact numbers are, for the rhinos' safety, a tightly kept secret.

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