Birding Safaris in Lake Mburo National Park | Top Bird Species

Birding safaris in Lake Mburo National Park offer nature lovers a rare opportunity to explore a diverse range of Uganda’s bird species. Birding is a unique experience that awaits you on Uganda safaris in Lake Mburo National Park.

Birding safari packages in Lake Mburo National Park are often designed uniquely, allowing you to explore your favorite birds in their habitats.

Lake Mburo National Park is the closest birding safari destination from Kampala or Entebbe. Access to Lake Mburo takes only 4 to 5 hours, and it is possible to embark on short Uganda safaris or weekend tours. This Park expands over 260 sq. km, and regardless of the compact area it occupies, it is a rich ecosystem.

Lake Mburo’s diverse ecosystems comprise diverse habitats where different birds reside. The Park is dominated by thickets, grasslands, swamps, Rubanga Forest, scattered trees, and swamps.

Birding safaris in Lake Mburo are best experienced in Warukiri or Miriti swamps. The other key sites to also consider for bird watching in Lake Mburo National Park include the shores of the scenic Lake Mburo, Rubanga Forest, and the Salt Lick.

Top Bird Species of Lake Mburo National Park –Uganda

During birding safaris in Lake Mburo National Park, expect to find bird species such as woolly-necked stork, papyrus gonoleks, blue-breasted kingfishers, African fin foot, Ross’s turacos, bare-faced go-away, Southern ground hornbill, and black-collared barbets.

Lake Mburo National Park’s birds also comprise the green wood hoopoe, long-tailed cisticola, brown parrot, Nubian woodpeckers, red-shouldered cuckoo-shrikes, white-headed barbets, African fish eagles, yellow-breasted apalis, Denham’s bustards, grey crowned cranes, African jacanas, and pelicans.

Other bird species that make Lake Mburo National Park the most popular birding destination include elusive shoebill storks, African wattled lapwings, martial eagle, double-toothed barbets, yellow-throated tinker birds, piapiac, saddle-billed storks, pin-tailed whydahs, malachite kingfishers, and great cormorants.

Additional birds to identify during birding in Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda include Abdim’s storks, African darters, goliath herons, black-breasted snake eagles, African open-bill, blue-napped mousebird, speckled mousebirds, white-winged warblers, red-chested cuckoos, and more.

The common bird species to explore during birding safaris in Lake Mburo National Park include broad-billed rollers, lilac-breasted rollers, red-fronted barbets, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, Eastern plantain-eaters, European bee-eaters, black stork, great and intermediate egrets, Senegal lapwing, banded snake eagles, harrier hawks, booted eagles, and common scimitar bill.

To keen birders, expect to also explore bird species such as lappet-faced vultures, African paradise-flycatchers, common quails, striped kingfishers, Southern red bishops, mourning collared doves, swamp nightjars, coqui & crested francolins, blue-billed teal, African pygmy goose, and pennant-winged nightjars.

How much is birding in Lake Mburo

When you think about embarking on birding safaris in Lake Mburo National Park, expect to pay the bird-watching fees. The cost of birding in this Park is US Dollars 30 per person. This excludes the park entry fees, but it can be covered in the overall cost of the birding safari.

Choose the right birding safari company to book your bird watching expedition in Uganda, and we recommend Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd.

Add-ons to Birding Safaris in Lake Mburo National Park

Game drives (wildlife viewing)

Embark on guided game viewing tours in a 4×4 Land Cruiser or safari vehicle with a pop-up roof. Get excellent views of Lake Mburo National Park’s abundant wildlife in the savanna game tracks.

A game drive through Lake Mburo’s game tracks allows you search for Uganda Kobs, Impalas, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, oribis, topis, and others.

Boat cruise

Lake Mburo National Park is among the best places that offer unforgettable boat or launch cruise experiences. The beauty of embarking on a launch or boat cruise is that you get exposed to a variety of aquatic species, including hippos, crocodiles, & water birds. This is done on the scenic Lake Mburo and can take between 2 and 3 hours.

Quad biking

Quad biking is one of the unique ways to explore Lake Mburo with experts. Expect to watch the park’s diverse wildlife and birdlife during a 4-hour quad biking experience. You can have sights of diverse savanna wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, and many antelopes.

Cycling or biking

Enjoy cycling in addition to birding safaris in Lake Mburo National Park. This safari experience offers a rare opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the park while keeping an eye on the diversity of wildlife and birds.

Sport fishing

Anglers who desire to combine bird watching and sport fishing aren’t left out. Sport fishing safaris offers anglers a chance to catch the tilapia, tiger fish, and others.

Mazinga is the ideal fishing spot for you to begin your sport fishing excursions. Valid fishing gear, permits, and other essentials are needed for you to have a successful sport fishing experience in Lake Mburo National Park.

Cultural/community visits

Get a chance to learn more about the Banyankole cultures and traditions during the guided cultural/community tours. Visit one of the communities adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park and also get engaged in the hands-on experiences, such as milking the cows.

When to Go for Birding Safaris in Lake Mburo National Park

Birding safaris in Lake Mburo National Park offer all-year-round experiences to avid birders. But the best time to enjoy Lake Mburo birding adventure is during March-April or October-November –the best months for you to find a range of migratory birds or residents while they are nesting.

The dry season also offers a perfect birding expedition, especially as birders have easier access to the birding trails. On Lake Mburo’s calendar, the long dry season starts from June to August, while the short dry months begin from December to February.

Packing for Birding Safaris in Lake Mburo National Park –Uganda

Valuable items to consider packing for Lake Mburo birding safaris include comfortable waterproof hiking boots, a pair of binoculars, a camera, a pair of socks, long-sleeved shirts, a safari hat, and long trousers.

Expect to also pack a wide-brimmed hat, a rain jacket, a GPS, insect repellents, a bottle of drinking water, a sweater, a waterproof daypack, and a torch.

Accommodation to Stay during Birding Safaris in Lake Mburo

Lake Mburo National Park has slightly fewer accommodation choices, and generally, we can recommend Mihingo Lodge, Eagles Nest, and Rwakobo Rock Lodge.

This Park also features accommodation options such as Hyena Hill Lodge, Kigambira Safari Lodge, Rwonyo Rest Camp, Kigambira Safari Lodge, Arcadia Cottages Lake Mburo, Mburo Safari Lodge, and more.

How to reach Lake Mburo for Birding Safaris

Lake Mburo National Park is reachable by road about 4 to 5 hours if you are setting off from Kampala. Driving through the Mbarara route to Lake Mburo allows you make a stopover at the Kayabwe Equator crossing.

Visitors can also connect from Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kibale/Fort Portal to Lake Mburo National Park. Along this route, you can have a great photography time at the Kikorongo Equator crossing.

By air, expect to take a flight up to Mbarara Airstrip and get picked up from here by a professional expert (guide) from Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd.

Is Lake Mburo National Park safe for birding safaris?

Lake Mburo is 100% safe for birding safaris and also game viewing tours. The park holds 350 bird species that can be safely explored in the varied habitats such as woodland, savannas, and wetlands.

Birding safaris in Lake Mburo can be experienced during guided nature walks, game drives, cycling, and boat cruises. Avid birders can also focus on the independent birding adventure as a sole experience of its own.

Conclusion:

Book birding safaris in Lake Mburo National Park, home to over 350 species of birds. Get a chance to locate a diversity of bird species in their natural habitats.

To enjoy the best of your Uganda bird watching safaris in Lake Mburo, we recommend Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd for you to secure a slot in advance.