Lake Mburo is one of the smallest savannah national parks in Uganda, located in the western part of the country, covering 470 square kilometers, with an altitude of 1,220m to 1,828m above sea level. The park is the perfect weekend getaway from Kampala, since it’s the closest to the city.
Though Lake Mburo is small, its size should not be underestimated, as it’s blessed with 13 lakes, with 5 lakes found within the park, 350 species of birds, several animal species, and 68 species of mammals.
Lake Mburo National Park is the only place where tourists can explore the whole park on foot and even on horseback, organized by Mihingo Lodge.
The park’s size should not be underestimated, since it’s a true gem and also a good stopover when coming from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Plan a Uganda safari with us today to explore Lake Mburo National Park.
Tourist Activities in Lake Mburo
Wildlife Viewing: Lake Mburo National Park is home to various animals, including impalas, mountain reedbuck, oribi, waterbuck, warthogs, leopards, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, reedbucks, zebras, giraffes, bush pigs, duikers, and much more. The best time for wildlife watching is in the morning and afternoon hours.
Birding Safaris: Lake Mburo National Park is an ideal place for bird enthusiasts, with over 300 species of birds recorded. The best places for birding are the Miriti and Warukiri swamp valleys, around Rwonyo Rest Camp, and the viewing points at the salt lick. Some of the birds that can be seen at Lake Mburo include the Burchell’s zebra (found only in Lake Mburo National Park among Uganda’s parks) and species such as the rufous-bellied heron, African finfoot, papyrus yellow warbler, Abyssinian ground hornbill, white-winged warbler, Carruthers’s cisticola, saddle-billed stork, brown-chested lapwing, African scops owl, hairy-breasted barbet, blue-breasted kingfisher, and yellow-rumped tinkerbird, among others.
Boat Safaris: Boat safaris at Lake Mburo National Park are mainly conducted on Lake Mburo. You will explore the lake’s flora and fauna, with many wild animals coming to the lake shores to quench their thirst, especially in the afternoon. There are also plenty of water birds to be seen, like the African fish eagle, malachite kingfisher, rufous long-tailed starling, pied kingfisher, rare shoebill, bare-faced go-away bird, Nubian woodpecker, emerald-spotted wood dove, green wood hoopoe, and white-winged tit, among others.
Horseback Safaris: Lake Mburo National Park is the only national park in Uganda where tourists can view game on a horseback safari, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you move among zebras and antelopes in the wild. The cost for horseback safaris is charged according to the hours spent riding, ranging from 1 to 3 hours.
Walking Safaris: The whole of Lake Mburo National Park is open for walking safaris. You can walk to the salt lick for wider views of wildlife coming to lick the salt. Early morning walks near the lake offer sightings of hippos and hyenas returning from hunting, and tourists can also walk through the hillside for views of the endless savannah plains and all the park’s lakes.
Community Tours: There are many places where you can encounter African traditional culture. The Igongo Cultural Center offers insight into the tribes of southwestern Uganda through its museum, while the Rwenjeru Campsite offers a cattle grazing and watering adventure. The Rwambaatra group performs local traditional dances, which visitors can join, and the Rubale fishing community offers fishing adventures plus lessons in local fish processing methods.
Fishing Safaris: There are many lakes to fish from while in Lake Mburo National Park, but the most commonly fished lake is Mburo, home to six species of fish, with tilapia being the most common. Fishing requires a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and the activity should be done in the designated Mazinga area.
Visit Rubanga Forest: Rubanga Forest in Lake Mburo National Park is one of the best places for birding, with over 40 species of birds found in the forest, alongside some unique plants and trees. There are also many primates, like black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and much more.
Biking Safaris: Another unique way to experience the wilderness in Lake Mburo National Park is by bike, offering a distinctive encounter with wildlife compared to being in a car. Tourists can rent bikes or bring their own, and the activity can last as long as you like, with no time limit.
Visit the Equator: While traveling to Lake Mburo National Park, tourists can stop at the equator, an imaginary line separating the two halves of the world, where you can stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It’s also a great place for photos, with many craft shops selling unique local African designs you can buy as souvenirs.
Best Time to Visit
Lake Mburo National Park can be visited all year round, but the best time is during the drier seasons of June to September and December to February.
The dry season is when it’s easiest to spot wildlife, while November to April is the best time for bird enthusiasts, since migratory birds are present during this period.
Accommodation at Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo National Park has a variety of accommodation facilities, ranging from budget to mid-range and luxury options. Some of the lodges you can stay at include Mihingo Lodge, Rwonyo Rest Camp, Mantana Tented Camp, Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Rwakobo Rock, Eagles Nest Lodge, and many others.
Lake Mburo National Park can easily be reached from Kampala within 4 hours by road, either through Lyantonde or via the Masaka-Mbarara road.
