Lake Mburo National Park is the most accessible of all the 10 game parks from the heart of Kampala/Entebbe city. It is a favorite wildlife safari destination in Uganda thanks to diverse ecosystem. Lake Mburo National Park is strategically positioned and is accessible from the route used by most visitors on gorilla safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Location, formation, size & altitude
Lake Mburo NP is located in Kiruhura District, Western Uganda. But the park is also surrounded by other districts including Lyantonde, Isingiro, and Mbarara. From the heart of Kampala to Lake Mburo Park takes about 4-5 hours’ drive. Its strategic location makes it an ideal place to make a break off while on gorilla tour to Bwindi/Mgahinga or while on return journey to Kampala/Entebbe.
Lake Mburo NP was gazetted as a park in 1983. But originally, it was designated as controlled hunting area from 1933 till 1963 when it upgraded to game reserve. This park spans over the land area of 260sq.km and takes its name from the scenic Lake Mburo.
Lake Mburo National Park’s landscape features mosaic of habitats including acacia-woodlands, seasonal and permanent swamps, grassy valleys and abundant fauna, lakes, etc. Over 20% of the park’s surface area coverage is comprised of marshland and lakes.
Wildlife
Lake Mburo NP supports variety of faunal species. It accounts for over 68 species of mammals.
The diverse faunal species to encounter in this park include the Burchell’s zebras, Rothschild giraffes, spotted hyenas, leopards, cape buffaloes, oribis, warthogs, bushbucks, hippos, crocodiles, duikers, elands, impalas, Defassa waterbucks, topis, jackals, genets, and more.
Birds
A record of 350 species of birds survive in the varied habitats of Lake Mburo National Park. These include Abyssinian ground hornbill, tabora cisticolas, shoebill, African fit foot, saddle billed stork, pink backed pelicans, bare faced go away bird, long-tailed cisticolas, papyrus yellow warblers, grey snipe, brown parrot, yellow breasted apalis, white winged black tern, white headed barbet, greater cormorant, common scimitar bill, ross’s turacos, black-headed gonolek, and more.
Activities in Lake Mburo NP
Game drives
Lake Mburo Park features a good network of game viewing tracks. Each game track has something exceptional for guests to encounter. They include Ruroko, Rwonyo, zebra, eland, Kazuma game track, and others. A game drive through the Mburo National Park allows you encounter multitude of faunal species including waterbucks, buffaloes, impalas, zebras, lions, elands, giraffes, topis, warthogs, leopards, and oribis.
Walking safaris
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the best places that offer excellent guided walking tours. A walking excursion in this park allows you to have a close interaction with nature and often introduces you deeper into areas hardly reached by safari vehicles. It is done with the lead of an experienced guide and key areas of interest include Rwonyo, Lake shoreline, viewpoint hill, and Rubanga forest.
Boat cruise experience
Boat cruise excursion is the perfect way to unearth diversity of aquatic life on Lake Mburo. This recreational experience allows you see hippos, crocodiles and aquatic bird species. It is a 2-3 hour experience and accompanying you will be an experience guide and boat cruise crew team.
Bird watching
Lake Mburo NP is a special experience, a great opportunity to look out for the park’s diverse bird species. This park is endowed with different species of birds which range around the acacia woodland and wetlands. The key area to consider for birding tours in this park include Mariti and Waruki swamp valleys. Some of the significant bird species to identify on Lake Mburo birding tour include the ruppell’s long-tailed starlings, malachite kingfishers, black-bellied bustard, red-faced barbet, bateleurs, rufous bellied herons, pink backed pelicans, bare faced go away bird, long-tailed cisticolas, papyrus yellow warblers, grey snipe, brown parrot, yellow breasted apalis, white winged black tern, white headed barbet, greater cormorant and others.
Horseback riding
On a horseback, marvel at the spectacular landscape of Lake Mburo NP while keeping eyes on diversity of faunal species. This is one unique park in Uganda where a horseback riding tour can be done. You can begin your experience from Mihingo Lodge stable and it takes some significant period of time while you enjoy the best of this wildlife excursion.
Cycling
Lake Mburo NP is an exceptional destination in Uganda that offers the best of cycling experiences. Embark on cycling tour through the lush Lake Mburo and you stand a chance to immerse yourself into the park’s wilderness while spotting some wildlife.
Where to stay
The choice of accommodation in and around Lake Mburo NP revolves around budget, midrange and luxury. The top accommodation facilities to consider for a night stay in the park include Rwakobo Rock, Mihingo Lodge, Lake Mburo Camp, Kigambira Lodge, Leopard Camp, Lake Mburo Safari Lodge and more.
Best time to visit
The dry season is with no doubt the most favorite time of the year to visit Lake Mburo National Park for game drives, boat cruise, walking tours and more. The dry months occur from June to September and December to February –the period of the year when there is low or no rains. The park is also ideal for birding especially from wet or rainy months (March-May, October) which also serve as breeding period or migratory season for most birds.
Things to carry
The essentials to consider on Lake Mburo Park safari include waterproof safari boots, long-sleeved safari shirt, insect repellents, first aid kit, daypack, regular medicine –pain killers and others as prescribed by your doctor, sun protection gear, a sweater, safari hat, a pair of binoculars, a camera and extra batteries, valid passport, visas, toiletries (shampoos, moisturizers, toothpaste, and others).
How to reach the park
Lake Mburo National Park is reachable within 4 hours’ drive and this is for guests who begin their journey from Kampala. You can also connect from Bwindi to Mburo NP about 6-7 hours’ drive. By air, set off from Entebbe airport to Mbarara airstrip then drive to the park using a rental safari vehicle.
