Lake Mburo National Park is located in Kiruhura District in the Western Region of Uganda, about 30 km (19 mi) east of Mbarara and about 240 km (150 mi) by road west of Kampala.
The park hosts zebra, hippopotamus, impala, warthog, common eland, African buffalo, Topis and over 300 bird species. Predators may include the lion, leopards, hyenas, genets, civets, jackals and serval cats, among others.
Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders. Once covered by open savanna, Lake Mburo National Park now contains much woodland as there are no elephants to tame the vegetation. In the western part of the park, the savanna is interspersed with rocky ridges and forested gorges while patches of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line many lakes.
The park is located in a rich cultural area named according to an ancient tale of two brothers; Mburo and Kigarama who lived in the low-lying Savannah plains hence making the area traditionally known as Kaaro karungi. One night Kigarama dreamt that they were to receive heavy rains which would cause flooding of the valley in which they lived. Kigarama told the dream to his brother Mburo who took it for granted. Since in the African society dreams were highly respected, Kigarama decided to leave the valley and went in the over looking hills leaving his brother behind. The dream later came true and there were heavy downpours flooding the valley hence forming a lake and drowning Mburo with his property and thus the name Lake Mburo and the adjacent hills where Kigarama fled were named the Kigarama hills.
Discover everything about Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s only National Park, where you embark on a guided walking safari, also home to the largest population of impala antelopes. To nature enthusiasts, no better destination than Lake Mburo National Park when it comes to immersion into the African wilderness. In this updated travel guide to Lake Mburo National Park, expect to explore more about this charming park’s size, location, altitude, wildlife (attractions), where to stay (safari lodges, camps/accommodation options), tourism activities, and how to reach the park.
The Main Attractions to Explore in Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo National Park holds a mosaic of savannas, Lakes, woodlands, and rocky outcrops where its diverse wildlife and birdlife call home.
Wildlife
Lake Mburo accounts for over 68 mammal species, and these survive in the varying habitats with other wildlife. The major wildlife to see on a safari in this Park includes buffaloes, hyenas, leopards, hippos, side-striped jackals, reedbuck, crocodiles, elands, zebras, giraffes, bush pigs, topis, warthogs, Defassa waterbucks, impalas, oribi, mongoose, klipspringers, duikers, and sitatunga.
Birdlife
About 315 bird species make Lake Mburo an exceptional birding spot in Uganda. The Park holds a variety of acacia-associated birds, and key sites to observe most of the avifauna include the Rwonyo area. The checklist of birds to identify on a bird-watching safari in Lake Mburo National Park includes black-bellied bustards, Mosque swallow, black-throated barbet, bare-faced go-away bird, Ruppell’s starling, African wattled lapwing, lilac-breasted rollers, African harrier hawks, African paradise flycatchers, Great blue turacos, African fish eagles, papyrus yellow warblers, shoebill storks, western tinker birds, double-toothed barbets, gray crowned cranes, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, black-headed gonoleks, spur-winged lapwing, European bee-eaters, western tinker bird, martial eagle, and rufous-bellied herons.
Additional birds of Lake Mburo include African emerald cuckoos, Southern red-bishop, palm-nut vultures, Senegal thick-knee, Namaqua doves, pennant-winged nightjars, brown-chested lapwings, green wood-hoopoes, white-winged tit, pink-backed pelicans, African darters, red-chested sunbirds, African open bills, booted eagles, Eastern plantain eaters, great cormorants, brown chested plovers, banded snake eagle, Diederik, mosque swallows, bat hawks, laughing dove, and giant kingfishers.
Tourism Activities to do in Lake Mburo National Park
Game drives
Game drives offer a unique opportunity for nature enthusiasts to witness Lake Mburo’s abundant wildlife. Being a savanna-dominated Protected Area, a 4×4 safari vehicle is mostly preferred for visitor exploration. Visitors embark on wildlife exploration through the Park’s rich game tracks, including the zebra track, Kigambira Loop, and Kazuma game track. A guided game drive through the lush savanna plains of Lake Mburo can last for 2-3 hours, and you can opt for the morning, afternoon, or night game drive sessions. While on a game drive, you stand a chance to encounter the park’s diverse antelope families, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, and birds.
Birding
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the exceptional bird-watching locations in Uganda, home to abundant acacia and aquatic species. The birding tour through the different spots in this Park is best done in the Miriti swamp valley, Rubanga Forest, and Warukiri. The key birds to identify during a birding excursion here include the black-throated barbets, shoebill storks, brown chested lapwings, blue-breasted kingfishers, black-bellied bustards, mosque swallow, bare-faced-go-away bird, Nubian woodpeckers, saddle-billed storks, African fin foots, white-winged tit, hairy-breasted barbet, and more.
Nature walking safaris
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the unique destinations offering guided bush walking tours. Nature walking in Lake Mburo allows you go deeper into regions not reached by a safari vehicle to explore variety of your favorite wildlife and birdlife. The enriching nature walking locations/trails to explore include Rubanga, Kazuma Hill, and Salt Lick trails, etc.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing is best experienced in Lake Mburo, a great opportunity for anglers to catch their favorite fish species. A valid fishing permit should be obtained, and this is possible through Bujuku Eco-tours, a reliable tour operator based in Uganda. A successful sport fishing excursion also requires you to have the necessary fishing gear. On the actual fishing excursion, the various fish species to catch include tilapia, lungfish, mudfish, and catfish.
Boat cruise
A boat cruise takes you through the enriching Lake Mburo, a 2-3-hour excursion as you explore a variety of aquatic species. The Lake Mburo launch cruise tours can be enjoyed during the morning or afternoon session. Each session guarantees you unique sightings of aquatic species like hippos, birds, and crocodiles.
Cycling excursions
Cycling is a unique experience awaiting you on the Lake Mburo National Park tour. Imagine viewing your favorite animals on a bike! Yes, Lake Mburo is the best place to visit to enjoy this kind of experience. The possible sightings on a cycling or biking tour in Lake Mburo include zebras, birds, impalas, elands, and giraffes.
Horseback rides
Experience the best of horseback riding in the African wilderness, only along the trails of Lake Mburo National Park. Just on the back of your horse, you can enjoy the sights of diverse wildlife, including zebras, topis, bushbucks, birds, impalas, duikers, and more.
The best time to explore Lake Mburo in Western Uganda
A vacation to Lake Mburo National Park can be organized at any time of the year. However, the best time to get there and enjoy a successful wildlife tour is during the peak dry seasons, which fall in June, July, August, and September. Or you can plan a trip around the 2nd phase of the dry season, which is mostly experienced from December to February.
Accommodation Choices to Book
Budget, midrange, and luxury are the top accommodation options present in and around Lake Mburo National Park. They include Mburo Eagles Nest, Lake Mburo Luxury Tented Camp, Kigambira Safari Lodge, Mihingo Lodge, and Hyena Hill Lodge.
How to reach Lake Mburo
The major access options to Lake Mburo include road and air. By road, Lake Mburo is close to Kampala and takes you between 4 and 5 hours to reach it. The Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara route is the key route leading to Lake Mburo Game Park, and you can enter through its Nshara gate or the Sanga Trading Center (Gate).
By air, domestic flight services are available, though you won’t have a direct flight. Taking a flight is possible from Entebbe International Airport up to Mbarara Airstrip, and then you drive 30km to get to Lake Mburo National Park.
Book your 2 days safari to Lake Mburo national park with Bujuku Ecotours to enjoy these amazing cultural stories