Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda
Welcome to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest National Park. On this guide find all the information you need to know to plan a safari to the Lake Mburo Game Park, Uganda’s most accessible protected area. From things to see and do, to tours and experiences, find all the information that you need to know to help you plan your trip to this amazing savanna national park.
Lying in the one part of Uganda covered in extensive acacia woodland, Mburo has markedly different fauna to other reserves. If you are planning for wildlife safaris in Uganda, birding safaris, Nature walks, Boat Cruise or Horse riding this is the ultimate park to visit. Would you like to enjoy game viewing at its best, then Lake Mburo National Park should be a possible destination for you to visit.
Lake Mburo National is the best place in the country to see the gigantic eland antelope, as well as zebra, topi, impala, and several acacia-associated birds.
The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds, while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists such as the sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek.
Lake Mburo Safaris
Here are featured Uganda safaris that have been prepared by our professional tour operators to give you the best out of your visit in Lake Mburo National Park. These itineraries have been carefully planned to experience Uganda at its best.
About the Park
Situated in the Western side of Uganda is the country’s smallest Savannah National Park-Lake Mburo National Park that is also the most accessible Park from Kampala. Lake Mburo National Park covers an area of 370 square kilometers and is a home to over 69 species of mammals and over 350 species of birds that make it a nature Paradise. Besides the interesting attractions within the borders of the park, there are several accommodation facilities that offer tourists with the best comfort they can ever desire in a destination.
Legend
Two brothers, Kigarama and Mburo lived in a large valley. One night, Kigarama dreamt that they were in danger. When he awoke the next morning, he told his younger brother Mburo of his dream and said they should move. Mburo ignored this advice, but Kigarama wisely moved up into the hills. The valley flooded and a lake was formed, drowning Mburo. Today the lake is named after him, and the hills are called Kigarama after his brother.
The word mburo is similar to the “mboro”, the Runyankole name of the cassine tree which has a powerful aphrodisiac effect. One such tree, showing signs of bark and branch removal, may be seen close to the Kigambira Loop crossroads.
Location
Situated between Masaka and Mbarara in Western Uganda, it is the only park to contain an entire lake. Beautiful and tranquil Lake Mburo National Park is situated in rolling hills and open grassy valleys. This lovely landscape also consists of four other smaller lakes where you’ll see impala, eland, waterbuck, klipspringer, zebra and buffalo.
Things to See in Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park has three of five big five animals. These are African Elephants, lions and buffaloes. The Park is a compact gem with more than 68 mammal species. These include zebra, impala, topi, eland, bush buck, buffalo, warthog, leopard, hyena and jackal etc.
Wildlife
The Park has Aardvark, Hyrax, Porcupine, Hippopotamus, Zebra, Pangolin, Warthog, Hyena, Leopard, Buffalo, Civet, Genet, Topi, Eland, Klipspringer, Oribi, Sitatunga, Impala, eland and crocodile There is an excellent variety of water and acacia savannah bird species (357 bird species) like crested crane, the rare shoebill stork, marabou stork and bronze-tailed starling, bee eaters and even more exotic birds like Blue Naped Coucal, Bare-faced Go-Away Bird, Nubian Woodpecker and swamp flycatcher.
Hippos and crocodiles can be seen grazing on cool mornings. The surrounding papyrus swamps hide the beautiful sitatunga, a very special antelope with narrow, elongated hooves which allow them to move freely on marshy land.
Exotic sights you may enjoy are male impala characteristically looking over their territory from the top of a large anthill, an exquisite panoramic view of the lake land expanse from a hilltop vantage point, or the sight of locally ranched long-horned ankole cattle grazing with wild impala and zebra. Don’t forget to take a wooden Ssese canoe trip on the lake to see kingfishers, herons and other water birds, your guide will keep you a safe distance from the hippos and crocodiles!
The attractive acacia-dotted savannah (256 sq. km) is home to huge herds of impala, as well as uncommon topi, eland, klipspringer and other antelope. Zebra and buffalo also graze these peaceful acres.
The lake supports a wonderful diversity of birds. Because of the different habitats, the lakeshore and the broad savannah, the variety seems endless. Catch a glimpse of waterbirds diving for fish, the Marabou Stork, bee-eaters and the cheeky Bronze-tailed Starling, as well as the majestic Crowned Crane. Make sure you bring your binoculars. More on the wildlife of Lake Mburo.
Birds
As common species become familiar, you will begin to notice smaller, less spectacular birds; the real experts seem to get most excited by ‘Little Brown jobs’ (‘LBJs’) which are the hardest to identify. Although many birds are wild spread, others are more fussy in their choice of habitat. For example, most of the park’s 310 recorded species are ‘generalist’ and can be seen almost anywhere. However, they are 5 species of bird, which are found only in the forest, and 60 specialist water birds. Others prefer short or tall grasslands, or are found mainly in woodlands.
Lakeshore and papyrus swamp birds
They are over 26 species of lakeshore and papyrus swamp birds recorded in this Park. Some of them include; Fish eagle, Pied kingfisher, African finfoot, Great white egret, Night heron. For more information on birds, please contact the Park Management. This Park has Open water birds, Lakeshore and papyrus swamp birds, Seasonal swamp birds, Woodland birds, Grassland birds and Forest birds. Birds of the Open Water in this Park include; Pink-backed pelican, Darter, White pelican, Yellow-billed duck, Long-tailed cormorant, White winged black tern and Greater cormorant
Things to Do in Lake Mburo National Park
There are lots of things to do in Lake Mburo National Park. The most popular adventure activities include Nature Walks, Game drives, Lake Cruises, Excellent Bird watching, Horseback Riding and more. The park is one of the few top rated Uganda National Parks for night game drives. It also offer unique adventures that include foot safaris, quad biking, horseback riding and bicycle riding.
Game Viewing
is the major tourist activity in this Park, it is famous for its richness in biodiversity. It has about 68 different species of mammals. The common ones are Zebra, Impala, Buffalo, Topi, and Eland as herbivores not to leave out the rare slightly of Roan antelope and leopard, Hyenas and jackals as predictors.
Boat Rides
The presence of Lake Mburo within the park is a blessing worth mentioning. The lake is rich with a diversity of animal and plant species which can only be viewed clearly if you take a boat trip. The crocodiles, hippopotamuses and birds like Pelicans, Black crake, Heron, cormorant, fish eagle, you may also sight the rare Shoebill Stork and all these will furnish your visit with pride. The duration of each boat cruise is negotiable.
Guided walks
This compact gem park is open to all visitors who intend to do nature walks. The nature trail offers the visitor a chance to admire nature. Visitors have the opportunity in walk in the circuit at his / her pace although in company of an armed guide. The trail is interpreted in form of a brochure in both English and Runyankole.
Salt Lick
A walk to the near by salt is a summary of it all. Strategically located wooden hide (Observation point) offers a chance to see at least 4 different species of animals at any one time while they lick the salty soil. Most interesting to note is that this is done without the animal’s conscience. Visitors may also walk to area of their own choice.
Note: Walks inside the park must be in company of an armed park official.
Rubanga Forest
You can also explore this forest by making arrangements with the Park Management to have a Ranger accompany you. The Rubanga Forest is very small but a true forest with a closed canopy in places. A common tree is Markhamia platycalyx (grey-brown truck with irregular flaky patches, divided leaves, yellow flowers stripped and spotted with red; brunches of extremely long (up to 1.3 m podlike fruits). Palms, figs, sapium (a tall tree whose leaves turn red before falling) and the flame tree Erythrina abyssinica occur towards the edge of the swamp.
Birding
First-time visitors to Lake Mburo National Park are fascinated by the variety of large mammals and colorful birds. For many people, birds are the most interesting to watch.
Plan Your Safari to Lake Mburo National Park
Getting There Lake Mburo National Park is found in Mbarara district, 3.5 hours drive from Kampala on Mbarara Kampala highway. Turn left at 13 km (Akageti) past Lyantonde, which then brings you to Sanga gate. Both junctions have clearly labeled signposts. It is 13 km from Sanga trading center of Sanga gate, 5 km from the main road to Nshara gate and about 20 minutes drive from Rwonyo Park Head Quarters.
Access
By Road: the park is bounded to the north by the main Kampala-Mbarara road. From Kampala it is 430km (4 hours) to the Park headquarters and rest camp at Rwonyo. On the way you will pass several interesting market villages as well as crossing the Equator Line. The left turn to the Park is signposted 211km from Kampala.
From Mbarara it is 47km to the Park Headquarters. The right turn to the park is at Sanga. The park gate is at Rweshebeshebe, 12km from Sanga.4-wheeled drive is recommended.
By road from Kampala it is 4 hours (230km) to the park head quarters and rest camp at Rwonyo.
On the way, places of interest include, Mpambire Drum shop (40km from Kampala), the Equator (76 km), Kinoni for papyrus mats (147 km), Kyazanga for Gonja (roasted bananas) (169 km) and the Lake Mburo Heritage Village.
Accommodation
Accommodation is available at park headquarters, where chalets are available for single or double occupancy. Meals are available or visitors may carry their own food that the camp staff can help to prepare. Hurricane lamp lighting and warm water bucket bathing are provided. Campfire may be organized on request.
There are several safari lodges in and around Lake Mburo National Park. These lodges offer great services to budget, midrange and luxury travelers.
With the Park being Uganda’s smallest national park and closest park to both Kampala, it’s popularity has rapidly grown in recent years, resulting into construction of a number of budget to luxurious lodges. Some of the most popular lodges are Rwakobo Rock, Lake Mburo Camp, Mburo Eagles Nest and Mihingo Lodge.
One can also always choose to stay in the nearby town, now a city- Mbarara City. There are several recommended hotels from 2 stars to 5 starts where you can choose to stay during your Uganda safari.
The Lake View Hotel in the nearby town of Mbarara is a modern locally-owned hotel. All rooms have private facilities. The hotel has a bar, restaurant, terrace, swimming pool and sports centre. The hotel’s own small lake is often surrounded by marabou storks.
Mantana Camp, run by Mel and Paul has stunning vistas over 3 lakes, It offers good service whilst retaining the authentic safari spirit. Each tent has twin beds and a bathroom. Each verandah is placed so as to take advantage of stunning African sunsets. The dining room is built on stilts so as to offer guests bird’s eye views across the treetops to the lakes.