Lake Mburo National Park Kiruhura | Best Uganda Wildlife Safari

Visit Lake Mburo National Park in Kiruhura District, the smallest savannah park in Uganda. Explore unique attractions & enjoy the best wildlife safari.

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.

Ultimate Guide to Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda

The History 

• In 1933, Lake Mburo National Park was declared a Controlled Hunting Area.
• In 1963, it was upgraded as a Game Reserve.
• Later in 1983, it was designated as a National Park.
• Size –Lake Mburo National Park initially occupied over 650 sq. km. Its size declined to 370 sq. km when the pastoralists reclaimed part of it in 1985.

The legends have it that the Lake Mburo area played a pivotal role for centuries for the Ankole cattle keepers. The Banyankole-Bahima pastoralists used the area for grazing their cattle. The name is believed to have derived from the tragic legend. The two brothers (Kigarama and Mburo) stayed within the valley.

Back then, it was believed that Kigarama dreamt of an impending flood; he went to the surrounding hills.

Mburo, on the other hand, ignored the warning and unfortunately drowned due to the heavy rains experienced in the valley.

The Lake then derived its name from the surrounding hills in their memory.

Location of Lake Mburo National Park -Kiruhura District

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 freshwater 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 National Park, 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 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-Lake Mburo National Park

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, 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 -Best Lodges in and around Lake Mburo National Park.

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.

Entrance Fees as per the Visitor Category

• The Foreign non-residents: US Dollars 40 per person –adults.
• Children under the category of foreign non-residents cost US Dollars 20 per person.
• The acceptable age bracket under the category of children ranges from 5 to 15 years.
• The foreign residents – USD 30 per person and children US Dollars 10 per person.
• East African citizens: UGX 20,000 and children: UGX 5000