Lake Mburo National Park is a magical Uganda wildlife safari park of its own, offering unique wilderness experiences to nature lovers on Uganda safaris. Mburo National Park is hidden gem awaiting you to explore and experience it on Uganda safari. It is a compact park and the most accessible from Kampala capital city center unlike most of Uganda National Parks.
Its close proximity to Kampala capital makes it possible to embark on a 1-day tour or 2-day wildlife safari and you return. From Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park, visitors spend about 4 hours driving on Masaka-Mbarara route. Its strategic location makes it a perfect stopover point for tourists traveling to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga for gorilla trekking.
Location & size of Lake Mburo NP
Lying between altitude of 1220 and 1828m, Lake Mburo National Park is geographically positioned in Western Uganda. The park straddles in the 4 districts- Kiruhura, Lyantonde, Isingiro and Mbarara.
From Kampala capital, L. Mburo National Park is 240kms away. Accessing Lake Mburo National Park may take about 4 hours’ drive in a 4×4 tourist vehicle and from Lyantonde, the park is just 20kms and about 37kms from Mbarara city.
L. Mburo National Park spreads to cover up to 370sq.kms and over 20% of its surface area consists of wetland habitats. Established in 1983, L. Mburo National Park is a remarkable Uganda wildlife safari worth considering visiting. Originally, it was designated as a controlled hunting area in 1933 and became a game reserve in 1963.
Lake Mburo National Park features breathtaking landscape characterized by extensive savannas, woodland, papyrus swamps, riparian woodland, rocky ridges, forested gorges and others. Over 13 lakes are all distributed in Lake Mburo NP with Lake Mburo being the largest and 5 of them exist at the park’s border area.
Wildlife
L. Mburo National Park consists of several habitats each hosting distinct wildlife including bush pigs, hippos, buffaloes, lions, leopards, Burchell’s zebras, the Rothschild giraffes, bohor reedbucks, duikers, impalas, sitatungas, oribis, jackals, waterbucks, elands, hyenas to mention but a few.
Birds
Lake Mburo National Park ecosystem also comprise of 315 bird species making it an ideal birding spot worth visiting on Uganda safari. The park is a stronghold to diverse acacia like bird species and Rwonyo camp is a renowned birding site.
The birds of interest in L. Mburo National Park include ruppell’s long tailed starling, black bellied bustard, mosque swallow, bar faced go-away bird, black throated barbet, great snipe, blue headed coucals, papyrus gonoleks, Southern ground hornbill, black collared barbets, African fish eagle;
Crested cranes, papyrus yellow warblers, greenwood hoopoe, brown chested wattled plovers, saddle billed stork, common quail, emerald spotted wood dove, African grey hornbill, yellow throated long claws, etc.
Park safari activities
Game drives
Game drive is the major highlight of every Lake Mburo National Park safari. There are well established game tracks to begin your game viewing session in Lake Mburo NP including zebra track which runs up to Ruroko track. Day game drives in Lake Mburo National Park comes with incredible sightings such as zebras, bushbucks, zebras, elands, warthogs, reedbucks, topis, birds and more.
Along Kazuma track, expect to enjoy sight of birds such as black billed bustards, fish eagles, pelicans while the game track takes you up to the scenic 5 lakes of Lake Mburo National Park. If you are interested in nocturnal game drive, Lake Mburo National Park has you covered. There are lots of nocturnal species to look out for including porcupines, leopards, bush babies, hyenas, jackals and nightjars.
Birding
A total of up to 315 bird species call L. Mburo National Park a home. The birding trip in Lake Mburo NP includes sighting bird species such as yellow throated long claws, Southern red bishop, shoebill stork, white winged warblers, bronze tailed starling, Nubian woodpecker, emerald spotted wood plovers, papyrus gonoleks, black billed barbets, African grey hornbill, etc.
Launch or boat cruise
Lake Mburo National Park also offers the best of boat cruise experience. This is enjoyable on Lake Mburo which guarantees visitors excellent view of crocodiles, hippos, aquatic birds etc. The boat cruise excursions take from 2 to 3 hours and aquatic birds to expect sighting range from the blue headed weaver, pelicans, herons, African fish eagles, rufous long tailed starling etc.
Nature walks
Nature walks draw visitors close to nature. Such close interaction allows you to have in-depth exploration of the park’s diverse wildlife in their distinct habitats. For nature walks, Rubanga Forest should be a must-visit on Uganda safari in L. Mburo National Park.
Quad biking
Lake Mburo N/Park also stands out as the only park where Quad biking is done. This often begins from Mantana Tented Camp, a luxury safari lodge and actual rides start at 9:00am along eland track.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing is another exciting safari experience available for visitors to enjoy on Uganda safari in L. Mburo National Park. This is done on Mazinga shores and anglers should have valid fishing permits obtainable from Uganda Wildlife Authority- UWA.
Horseback riding
Horseback riding is a remarkable way to explore and experience L. Mburo National Park. Horseback rides are also organized by Mihingo Lodge a luxury wildlife safari lodge at L. Mburo National Park. Enjoy sight of the park’s wildlife on horseback ranging from zebras, giraffes to birds.
Cycling
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the very few parks offering unique experiences such as cycling. You explore the park’s diverse wildlife on bicycle ride and species to come across include zebras, warthogs, elands and birds etc.
Cultural visits
Lake Mburo National Park is perched in Western Uganda and cultural visits are a great opportunity to explore the unique cultures of Ankole. There are many local communities to consider visiting on cultural safaris including Igongo cultural community, Rwabarata drama group, Rubale fishing community etc.
Where to stay
Luxury accommodation facilities at L. Mburo National Park include Arcadia Cottages, Mantana Tented Lodge, Mihingo Lodge. Mid-range/Standard lodges Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Kimbla Mantana Camp, Mburo Eagle’s Nest, Rwakobo Rock and budget lodges include Rwonyo Rest Camp, Lake Mburo Campsite.