About the park

This is Uganda’s smallest national park – 370 km² and its altitude is 1,220m – 1,828m above sea level. The small but dynamic Uganda destination is home to 350 bird species as well as mammals such as Eland, Buffalo, Zebra, Impala, Defassa Waterbuck, Leopard, Hyena, Reedbuck, Oribi, and Topi among others. The Impala, Slender Mongoose and secretive Bush Rat are not found in any other Uganda park. Burchell’s zebra resides in large numbers here, and they are present in only three protected areas in Uganda. Lake Mburo National Park’s wetland habitats comprise 20% of the park’s surface with a total of 5 lakes within its borders. Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s boundaries. In the western part of the park, the savanna is interspersed with rocky ridges and forested gorges while patches of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line many lakes.

Lake Mburo is probably the best place to view acacia-associated birds like the Mosque Swallow, Black bellied Bustard, Bare-faced-go away Bird, Ruppell’s Starling, Southern Ground Hornbill, and Black throated Barbet among others.

Activities

Game walks

Game walks in Lake Mburo National Park are unlike any other. Often accessible any day of the week, visitors are led by an expert ranger guide bringing them a lot closer to the wonders of the wild. A safari on foot presents a whole new dynamic and appreciation of the wild. It is an opportunity to see the calmness of the wildlife away from the noise and disruption of a conventional safari vehicle. The most popular walks lead through the Eland track where visitors can expect to see large herds of eland and a healthy population of Giraffes plus plenty of other wildlife. Other walks are towards the salt lick at Rwonyo, Rubanga forest, and along the shores of the lake. Game walks are done in the morning and begin between 6:30 am and 7:00 am. They last about 2 hours or more depending on your interests and walking pace.

Game drives

Lake Mburo National Park has a finely-knit trail of game drive tracks that is deliberately designed to immerse visitors in the wildest spots of this underrated gem of a park. Game drives are best conducted in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof. During the game drives, you will be able to enjoy the park’s various landscapes and vegetation. Some of the wildlife to expect: Giraffe, Zebra, Impala, Klipspringer, Buffalo, Hyena, Mongoose, Oribi, Reedbuck, and so much more. Night game drives are also available. Underneath the cover of night, some of the park’s most sought-after wildlife comes out to play. Accompanied by an expert ranger guide, you can go on a night game drive for up to 3 hours starting around 7:00pm. Some of the nocturnal species include the Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Genet, Bushbaby, Porcupine, and more. Your ranger guide will use a spotlight to assist in identifying some of this nocturnal wildlife in Uganda.  

Boat trips

Lake Mburo National Park offers daily boat trip schedules on Lake Mburo, the waterbody after which the park is named. The boat trips last up to 2 hours allowing guests to relax while viewing wildlife much closer than they would in a safari jeep. Some of the wildlife to expect includes Hippo, Crocodile, as well as plenty of water birds like the African Fish Eagle, several types of kingfishers, and the only place to see the African Finfoot.

Birding

Lake Mburo National Park is a famous birding spot with over 350 bird species in this rather small protected area. Birding can be enjoyed on game drives, on boat trips, and also on game walks. Birds that are usually sighted include the White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Red-faced Barbet, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Verreaux’s Eagle, Saddle-billed Stork, African Finfoot, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Long-tailed Cisticola, White-headed Barbet, Common Scimitar Bill, Bare-faced Go Away Bird, Green-hood Hoopoe, Ross’ Turaco, Brown Parrot, White-winged Black Tern, White-tailed Pelican, Yellow-billed Duck, Greater Cormorant, Pink-backed Pelican, Gray Snipe, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Tabora Cisticola, Brown-chested Wattled Plover, Grey-crowned Crested Crane, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Double-toothed Barbet, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Piapiac, Tropical Boubou, Red-chested Sunbird, Pin-tailed Whydah, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Stork, African Darter, Long-crested Eagle, Black-breasted Snake Eagle, Goliath Heron, African Open bill, Abdim’s Stork, Southern Ground Hornbill, African Sacred Ibis, Hammerkop, Black-billed Bustard, Common Bulbul, and so many more.         

Horseback safaris

Horseback safaris are available in Lake Mburo National Park and they are an incredible way of seeing the wilderness in Africa. Riding one of the well-trained horses close to herds of buffalo, zebras, antelopes and other wildlife is as unique as it sounds. Two guides will often accompany visitors.

Cycling safaris

These have been customized to the interests and abilities of visitors. Cycling safaris are normally done in the mornings when it is cooler and usually take an hour depending on visitors’ interests and stamina. Abundant wildlife is often found in flat valleys which not only makes visibility easier but cycling less strenuous. An expert ranger is always assigned to lead the group and ensure safety of the visitors.

Sport fishing

Lake Mburo National Park boasts 5 lakes hence it is no surprise that sport fishing is offered. Tilapia is the most common fish species although anglers are likely to catch several other species. Visitors who are so inclined are advised to carry their own fishing equipment.

Community visits

Lake Mburo National Park is found in the heart of the Ankole region. Because human settlements have co-existed with the wildlife for several years, community and cultural tours have been developed and continue to be improved as a fantastic addition to the contemporary wildlife safari. Visitors can enjoy an Ankole farm experience as they observe the lifestyle of the Banyankole including, but not limited to, traditional hand milking of the famous Ankole long-horned cattle.

Itinerary ideas

3 days Lake Mburo National Park

Day 1 – Drive to Lake Mburo National Park, game drives, overnight

Day 2 – Game walk, game drive, boat trip – private or shared, overnight

Day 3 – Drive back to Kampala 

4 days Lake Mburo National Park

Day 1 – Drive to Lake Mburo National Park, night game drive, overnight

Day 2 – Game drives, private or shared boat trip, community tour, overnight

Day 3 – Game walk, nature walk, game drive, overnight

Day 4 – Drive back to Kampala

Accommodation

Up market: Mihingo Lodge

Midrange: Rwakobo Rock, Kigambira Safari Lodge, Arcadia Cottages, Mantana Tented Camp

Budget: Rwonyo Rest Camp