Lake Mburo National Park is a lake dominated-protected area, with forest-fringed shores and features a lush savanna grassland. It is one park that guarantees guests off-the-beaten-path adventures while on Uganda safaris. Even if you are interested in encountering wildlife on foot, Lake Mburo N/P never disappoints.
Location
Lake Mburo National Park lies on the Western side of Uganda, and in the surrounding, there is Kiruhura, Isingiro, and Mbarara district. It was upgraded park in 1983 after being a game reserve since 1963. Lake Mburo NP sits in a compact area of 260sq.km and this is comprised of savanna grassland, rocks, forests, lakes, swamps, and trees where its diverse wildlife and birds reside. It is also the most accessible of the 10 Uganda Parks, taking guests not more than four hours’ drive from the heart of Kampala.
Lake Mburo National Park is named after its large and scenic Lake Mburo. This park is set at a low altitude ranging from 1220 to 1820m. En route to the park, there is an opportunity for guests to make a stopover at the Equator.
Tourist Attractions to be explored in Lake Mburo National Park
Wildlife
Wildlife form part of the numerous attractions in Lake Mburo National Park making it one of important wildlife safari destinations in Uganda. The park supports a diversity of wildlife species, about 68 mammal species including zebras, Klipspringer, elands, buffaloes, jackals, impalas, hyenas, giraffes, leopards, oribis, topis, warthogs, reedbucks, hippos, lion, and more. The park also shelters several crocodiles often spotted on a boat excursion on Lake Mburo.
Birds
Within Lake Mburo NP alone, over 350 bird species are available for tourists to explore on Uganda birding tour. These include the common quails, bare-faced go-way bird, African grey hornbill, greenwood hoopoe, black-billed barbet, crested francolin, blue-napped mousebird, emerald spotted wood dove, lilac-breasted roller, shoebill stork, African finfoot, white winged warblers, rufous napped, African wattled plovers, yellow-throated long claw, trilling cisticola, coqui francolin, Southern red bishop, black-bellied bustard, temminck’s courser, Nubian woodpeckers, red-necked spur, Narina trogon, mosque swallow, saddle billed stork, white backed heron and others.
Lakes
Lake Mburo National Park is one of Africa’s parks that is largely dominated by Lakes. About 5 Lakes are distributed around the park, and they include Lake Mburo the most popular one which is found in the park hosting six fish species.
Activities to do in Lake Mburo National Park
Birding
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the special birding spots in Uganda. With over 350 bird species, a bird-watching trip in Lake Mburo allows you to identify a variety of avifaunal species.
The key birding sites include the beautiful swamps of Warukiri and Miriti. The birds to see while at Lake Mburo NP include lilac-breasted rollers, African grey hornbill, emerald spotted wood dove, barefaced go-away, shoebill stork, trilling cisticola, brown parrot, blue-napped mousebird, flappet larks, Southern red bishops, yellow-throated long claws, black-billed barbet, red-necked spurs, African-wattled plovers, to mention but a few.
Nature walks
Guided nature walks in Lake Mburo NP can be conducted at any part of the park with the park guide. On a nature walk, a variety of wildlife can be encountered and they include buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and a variety of antelope families. The Lakeside track shouldn’t be missed on a guided nature walk, and you will be viewing the bush duikers, the woodland as well as the beautiful Lake Mburo, and the park at large.
Other areas of interest for walking tours include Kazuma hill where you can enjoy the view of the park and surrounding rolling hills, Lakes etc. Rubanga Forest shouldn’t be missed by nature lovers on a Uganda safari to Lake Mburo. This forest is endowed with over 42 bird species including harrier hawks, double-toothed barbet, grey-backed camaroptera and more.
Game drives
Three game drive sessions are all conducted in Lake Mburo National Park, during the morning, afternoon, and night. Day game drives expose you to a variety of wildlife especially zebras, giraffes, antelopes, birds, warthogs, and more while night game drives allow you to see nocturnal species like jackals, leopards, nightjar bird species, mongoose, hyenas, and others.
Boat cruise
A boat cruise excursion on Lake Mburo is an amazing and memorable water sport taking you 2-3 hours. On a boat tour, you can come across a variety of aquatic life such as hippos, crocodiles, and birds like shoebill storks, water bills, pelicans, malachite kingfishers, green-necked doves, herons, pied kingfishers, African fish eagles, rufous long-tailed starlings, blue-headed weavers, and others.
Sport fishing tours
Sport fishing is one of the numerous experiences that guests visiting Lake Mburo NP should expect to engage in. This is conducted at Mazinga where you can catch different fish species including lung fish, haplochromes, tilapia, mud fish, and others. Mazinga is safe for sport fishing adventures and it is free of crocodiles and hippos.
Horseback riding
Horseback riding is a unique experience awaiting you on Lake Mburo NP tour. This makes Lake Mburo N/Park the only park where you can enjoy horseback ride. You will enjoy a close encounter of the park’s wildlife like zebras while on the horseback.
Quad biking
Quad biking is another special opportunity for tourists to explore Lake Mburo National Park’s natural endowment. Immerse yourself in the lush Lake Mburo Park, enjoy the sights of zebras and in the surrounding, see the local residents as they conduct their daily activities.
Cycling
Lake Mburo National Park is the only savanna park where cycling tours can be conducted. You explore inside the park, view a variety of wildlife such as zebras, elands, birds and more.
Cultural tours
Cultural safaris in Lake Mburo NP are best done in the nearby local community. The park is found in western Uganda and a cultural visit is a great opportunity to explore more about the Ankole cultures and also get entertained by locals’ dances, and music performances.
When to visit Lake Mburo National Park?
Visits to Lake Mburo National Park can be done all year round. The park experiences favorable weather conditions, but the best time to travel for a safari is during the dry season that is from June to August, and December to February.
Getting to Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park lies between Kampala and Mbarara, making it easier to be reached from both areas. From Entebbe / Kampala, you can drive for 4 hours to Lake Mburo Park offices along the Masaka-Mbarara route to Nshara gate. From Mbarara, you will drive for about 1 hour and you will be in the park through Sanga gate.
