Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park | Tour Guide (Mbarara) –Uganda Safaris
A travel guide to exploring Lake Mburo National Park’s unique attractions. Lake Mburo Wildlife Park is another little slice of paradise worth visiting on a Uganda safari. The park is considered the only location where impalas in Uganda can be sighted roaming together with several antelopes such as elands.
Location
Lake Mburo National Park is a compact protected area located in Western Uganda, and accessing it is possible on the Kampala-Mbarara route, about 4 hours’ drive.
The park covers over 260 sq. km, making it one of the smallest savanna parks in Uganda, but features distinct ecosystem.
It is surrounded by western districts like Kiruhura, Mbarara, Lyantonde and Isingiro.
Lake Mburo Game Park is compact but features unique habitats consisting of acacia woodland, rocky outcrops, wooded and open savannas, dry hills, Lakes and papyrus swamps.
Its diverse habitats support a range of interesting wildlife, making it a special place to enjoy a Uganda safari.
Established in 1983, Lake Mburo National/Wildlife Park consists of over 68 mammals and 350 bird species, making it an amazing African safari destination.
The park gets its name after Lake Mburo, one of the largest fresh water lakes.
Unique Attractions
Wildlife/Animals – Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is comprised of diverse wildlife.
The likely animals to be sighted on Uganda safaris in this park are: impalas, hyenas, leopards, lions, elands, bushbucks, Uganda Kobs, klipspringers, topis, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, etc.
Birds – Lake Mburo NP, Uganda safaris
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the top birding safari spots in Uganda, hosting over 350 bird species. These range in the park’s distinct habitats such as Lakes, woodland, acacia savannas, grasslands, swamps, and more.
The birds of Lake Mburo include, among many, white-winged warblers, African finfoot, Southern ground hornbill, yellow billed oxpecker, papyrus gonoleks, brown chested plover, spot flanked, grey crowned crane, black bellied bustard, red faced barbets, Carruther’s cisticola, brown parrot and more.
Top Activities in Lake Mburo National Game Park
Game drive
Lake Mburo National Game Park is one of the best destinations in Uganda offering exceptional wildlife safaris.
A game drive through this pristine savanna park is a great opportunity to enjoy sightings of large and small mammals, birds, etc.
It takes about 2-3 hours to explore Lake Mburo Game Park on a normal game drive with a chance to see buffaloes, giraffes, leopards, large antelope population (elands, impalas, topis, waterbucks, bushbucks, reedbucks, etc.
Boat safaris
Boat cruise safaris on Lake Mburo reward tourists with remarkable views of aquatic life.
These include crocodiles, hippos, birds, and this is possible during a morning or afternoon boat or launch cruise/trip.
Aquatic birdlife to identify on boat safaris include blue-headed weavers, shoebill storks, cormorants;
African fish eagles, pelicans, malachite kingfishers, rufous long-tailed starling, green-necked doves.
Nature walks
Lake Mburo Game Park offers the best guided nature walks.
The ideal spot to go nature walking here is Rubanga Forest.
This spectacular forest features a significant bird population, including harrier hawk;
Grey-backed camaroptera, double-toothed barbet, Narina trogon, and green pigeon.
The Lakeside track is another incredible spot for nature walking in Lake Mburo National Park. This track takes nature lovers through the woodland and to Kigarama summit to enjoy views of scenic Lake Mburo and the park itself.
Horseback riding
Unlike other savanna parks/forest parks in Uganda, Lake Mburo Park is the only place where horseback riding safaris are conducted.
Here you enjoy views of wildlife including elands, zebras, etc.
Birding
The birds likely to be spotted on a birding safari in Lake Mburo National Wildlife Park include black-bellied bustard, greenwood hoopoe, common quails, black-billed barbet, lilac-breasted roller.
Other birds include yellow-throated longclaw, red-necked spurfowl, emerald-spotted wood dove, blue-napped mousebird, barefaced go-away bird, African grey hornbill;
shoebill stork, Southern red bishop, flappet larks, white-backed herons, rufous-chested swallow and more.
The important birding sites on Uganda safaris in Lake Mburo National Park include Miriti and Warukiri swamp.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing is one of the best activities awaiting you to enjoy on a Uganda safari in Lake Mburo National Park.
The ideal location for fishing is Mazinga, with fish species such as mud fish, tilapia, lung fish, haplochromes, and others.
Quad biking
Lake Mburo Park is a special African safari destination offering unforgettable quad biking experiences.
A quad bike through the park comes with incredible animal sightings of zebras, etc.
Cultural encounters
Over 13 different local communities are adjacent to Lake Mburo Park, and they are ideal for cultural tourism in Uganda.
A cultural safari here is a great chance to learn about the unique cultures and traditions of Ankole and also get great entertainment from dances, music performance, etc.
The key areas to consider for community tours or cultural safaris include Rwenjeru campsite, Ankole cultural community, Igongo, Rwamuhuka and etc.
Best time to visit
The best time to travel to Lake Mburo Park to enjoy Uganda safari is during the dry season – June to September, December to February.
Migratory birds often flock during the wet or rainy season -October to November/March to May.
Where to stay
Numerous safari lodges and tented camps exist in and around Lake Mburo Game Park, and they are of different classes- luxury, midrange, and budget.
On Uganda safaris, expect an ultimate wildlife safari with a night stay in a luxurious accommodation – Mihingo Lodge, Kigambira Lodge (Luxury), midrange – Arcadia Cottages, Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Montana Tented Camp and Mburo Safari Lodge.
Getting to Lake Mburo National Park- Uganda safari
By road: Lake Mburo Park is easily accessible within 4 hours’ drive on the Kampala-Mbarara route.
The key entry gates include Nshara Gate and Sanga Gate, and by air, fly to Mbarara airstrip located 14 km northwest of Mbarara from Mbarara Central Business District.