With its 37,000 size, at an altitude ranging from 1,220m to 1,828m above sea level, Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest Savannah park in Uganda, and is easily accessible by the Mbarara-Masaka highway from Kampala; about 240 km/3.5- hours’ drive to the western region. It is a rich park in terms of animals and birds and culture with a dry and rocky environment in the west and vast wetlands in the eastern part. With such a good location and very affordable entrance fees, Lake Mburo offers so many activities to travelers; some of which include game viewing, horseback riding, biking, boat safaris, night game drives, walking safaris, cultural encounters, bird watching, sun-downers and so much more.
Some 50 km of creeks and canals, connect thirteen lakes in the area, five of which lie within the boundaries of the park, with the largest being Lake Mburo. Some of the safari lodges in Lake Mburo National Park include Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Arcadia Cottages, Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Eagles Nest Lodge, Mantana Luxury Tented Camp, and Mihingo Lodge among many other more.
Lake Mburo National Park has a difference in landscapes, ranging from golden Savannahs, rolling hills, ancient rocks, lush forests and swamps as well as the five lakes, with the largest lake within the park boundaries being Lake Mburo and another 14 lakes surrounding the park.
Towards the west, the savannah plains are traversed by forested gorges and rocky ridges.
While the park’s savannah areas were much more open in the past; however vast sectors of the park are now covered with shrubs and pockets of lush forests, due to the absence of elephants and other burning controls.
The eastern wetlands make up 20% of the park’s total area; along the lakes and creeks in the East, pockets of papyrus and riparian shrubs on the shores of open water.
Small patches of full-grown tropical forests on the western side of Lake Mburo gives an impression of semi-humid tropical high forest with a closed canopy which can be seen up-close from a viewing platform.
Wildlife in Lake Mburo
While hunting and farming had almost totally eliminated wildlife in the past, it has now made a remarkable recovery. Large herds of Eland and Cape Buffaloes roam the Western park.
It is the only park where Impala can be found and one of the three parks with Burchell’s Zebra. Common savannah species are Oribi, Defassa Waterbuck, Topi, Common Duiker and Bofor Reedbuck.
The top predators are the Leopard and Spotted Hyena; midsize predators include the Side-striped Jackal and various smaller predators like the white-tailed mongoose.
Only 2 species of monkeys are present in the park: the Vervet Monkey and Olive Baboon.
The park’s wetlands are inhabited by Cape Buffaloes, Bush-pig, Hippos and Sitatungas, Warthogs, Topis, elands; aquatic predators include the mighty African Crocodile and up to three Otter species.
Boat cruise on Lake Mburo
A boat trip along lake Mburo exposes you to extremely rich in fauna and flora species that line the lake shores and spotted flawlessly on an afternoon launch.
Hippopotamuses, large crocs and birds like black crake, pelicans, heron, Fish Eagle, Cormorant and the elusive shoebill stork among others.
This is a two-hour experience, and visitors can either be arranged in a small or large boat, each with different rates.
Walking safaris in Lake Mburo
Get a more personal and up-close encounter with nature and explore Lake Mburo National Park on foot!
This 2-3 hours walking safari begins from Nshara Park Gate and visitors are guided by an expert UWA Ranger into the savannah plains for epic game viewing.
There’s plenty of time to go at your own pace and enjoy great profusion of animals. Remember to carry some strong shoes and the camera to capture every moment.
Game drives & cultural experiences
Lake Mburo National Park is a hub to fantastic game drives through its vast panoramic savannah plains.
The game tracks in the middle of the park contain spectacular viewpoints and picnic spots to offer unbeatable game viewing opportunities.
Ranger guides are available to escort you and narrate the rich story behind the park’s immense beauty.
As a way of appreciating and encouraging conservation of local traditions and cultures of the Bahima people, a visit to explore and enjoy their peculiar norms is worthwhile.
Visitors are taken to a local family, close to the park, that has opened their doors to give guests a typical insight into the way of life for the Bahima pastoralists.
While here, visitors learn about making various milk products such as local ghee while listening to the old women narrate about their traditions and the cultures.
Depending on the time of the tour visitors can even have the opportunity to engage in local milking and grazing the majestic Ankole long-horned cattle.
Night game drives in the park
Night game drives, also known as nocturnal game drives are extremely exciting encounters. Visitors have excellent opportunities to spot some of the more elusive species of the park such as leopards, porcupines, spotted hyenas, pangolins and so much more.
Bird Watching in Lake Mburo
With more than 350 recorded bird species, Lake Mburo National park is a paradise for bird watching. This park is Uganda’s excellent spot in for acacia-dwelling birds.
Other bird species present in the park include the forest species in Rubanga Forest. The wetlands form a bonus for birders where the 6 papyrus specials can be sighted, including the magnificent papyrus gonolek and blue-headed coucal.
Lake Mburo is also a place to find southern species at the northern limit of their range, including the bare-faced go-away bird and black-collared barbet.
The months of November – April are appropriate for viewing migratory birds.
Forest and savannah birds in Lake Mburo national park include the Harrier Hawk, Grey-backed Green Pigeon, Double-toothed Barbet, Cameroptera and Narina Trogon.
Joining group tours to Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo National park can be visited all year-round, though dry season months (June to August) and (December – February) form the most appropriate time for wildlife viewing as animals gather around the waterbodies during sunny days.
Nevertheless, wildlife viewing is still possible during short wet seasons, that is from March – May and from September – November. During this time, the park’s vegetation is ever green and scenic.
Possible activities / experiences in dry Season (June to August and December to February) – Great wildlife viewing as vegetation thins and animals congregate around waterbodies; however, there are sunny days and the air is clouded by mist, which makes the views less impressive.
During wet Seasons, that is March to May and September to November; Game viewing is still better when animals can be spotted within open valleys.
There are fewer visitors and therefore hotel and park activity rates might be discounted, presence of migratory birds, clear and cleaner air, and landscapes are green.
However, wet, muddy roads may be slippery and become hard to negotiate, occasional heavy rains may as well interfere with game drives.
