Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is the Uganda’s smallest savannah park, covering around 370 square kilometers. The park is located in Nyabushozi- Kiruhura District, 230 km(4 hours 30 mins drive) west of Kampala capital city, and 29 km (50 mins drive) east of Mbarara city. However, most travelers use it as a great stopover when heading to or from other national parks like; Bwindi Impenetrable and Queen Elizabeth National park.  Originally in 1933, Lake Mburo National Park was designated as a hunting area later in 1963 it was upgraded to game reserve. In 1983 the initial inhabitants Banyankole- Bahima pastoralists, were expelled from this gazetted area and it was upgraded to a national park.

The park derived its name from old tradition event. It is said that in this place lived two brothers Mburo and Kigarama. Kigarama had a nightmare where he saw their land being flooded so he decided resettle after warning his brother. Mburo didn’t listen to his brother’s warning and it was no long before the valley submerged and everything was washed away including Mburo’s home. Thus deriving the name from Mburo. Lake Mburo is one of 13 lakes in the area and is central to the park’s ecosystem. This lake, along with four others inside the park, provides a habitat for a variety of water-based wildlife.

Wildlife in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is home to a variety of mammal species. Notably, the park hosts Uganda’s only remaining population of impala, the animal after which Kampala, the capital city, was named. Additionally, it is one of only two parks in Uganda where Burchell’s zebras can be found. Other mammal species that can be spotted include; Bohor reedbuck, bushbuck, oribi, elands, common duiker, topi, Defassa, bush pig, warthog, buffalo, and giraffe.

The sitatungas can be spotted in swampy areas whereas the klipspringers inhabit the hills. The park is also home to two diurnal primate species, vervet monkeys, and olive baboons. Lake Mburo National Park is one of the few places in Uganda where the galago has been recorded. In terms of predators, the park boasts lions and leopards which are commonly seen during the night game drives. 

The park is home to 315 bird species notably, it is the best place to observe acacia-associated birds. Some of these bird species include; Ruppell’s starling, mosque swallow, southern ground hornbill, striking blue-headed coucal, black-bellied bustard, black-collared and black-throated barbets, white-winged warbler, bare-faced go-away bird, green-capped eremomela, papyrus yellow warbler, and papyrus gonolek. 

Activities to do in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo offers many activities like  4×4 day and night game drives, horse riding, and hiking, provided by the lodge’s forest walks, cultural interactions with Banyankole and Bahima pastoralists, sport fishing, birding, boat trips.   

Game drives

Lake Mburo National Park offers 4×4 game drives which can be done in the morning, evening, and night. The morning game drives is majorly done to see herbivores  like Zebra, impala, topi, elands,  waterbucks, klipspringers, giraffes and buffaloes. These game drives starts between 6:00 am to 6:30 am.  These animals are spotted from different areas in the park like north and east of Rwonyo, Ruroko and Kazuma tracks and Warukiri tracks. The night game drives start between 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm which offers opportunities to spot elusive creatures like leopards, bush pigs, white tailed mongoose, genet cats and nocturnal birds like owls.

Horseback rides

This activity is only offered at Mihingo Lodge which is situated in the east of the park. During horse back riding, tourists ride across the savanna plains where they get an opportunity to closely interact with other animals like zebras, giraffes, topi, bushbucks, warthogs, elands, impala, duikers and buffaloes, which tend to be more at ease around horses. The horse rides are customized to cater to individual experiences and preferences. These horse rides are also tailored for children. 

Boat trips

This is one of the activity that should not be missed on your safari in Lake Mburo National Park. Motorboat trips on Lake Mburo are done in different schedules all offering excursions that last for 2 to 3 hours. For instance the morning boat trips starts around 9:00 am and the afternoon boat cruise starts at 2:00 pm.

These boat excursions provide excellent opportunities to observe buffaloes, hippos, waterbucks, crocodiles, bushbucks, and the three species of resident otters. Tourists on these trips also have the chance to spot a variety of water bird species like;  marabou stork, African fish eagle, pied kingfisher,  African fin foot, herons, and  eaglets. The lakeside of Lake Mburo is home to the Narina trojan and Ross’s turaco.

Nature walks 

This activity offers tourist an opportunity to explore the park on foot with a company of the park ranger and guide. During nature walk you will follow different trails like trail to salt lick, trail to Rubanga forest and trail to Kazuma hill. On the salt lick trail you will encounter animals that come to lick salt, the trail to Kazuma hill offers panoramic views of the lake and the park.

Whereas the trail to Rubanga forest is mostly used by birders and offers sights of forest birds. Guided nature walks offers opportunity to visitors to see animals from a close distance. Animals like; buffaloes, waterbucks, zebras, hippos, warthogs and giraffes.

Cycling in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park offers opportunity to tourists to explore the park on bicycles. Bicycle rides are guided by park ranger so as to protect the tourists from dangerous animals. During the activity you will follow the cycling tracks which go through open savanna grassland, forested hills and swampy areas. Along the way you will encounter animals like buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, warthogs, impalas, elands and other bird species.

Accommodation in Lake Mburo National Park

Tourists have the option to stay at Rwakobo Lodge or Mihingo Lodge which is available for those who have entered through Sanga Gate. Both lodges offer great experience and also ensures a comfortable and enjoyable stay amidst Lake Mburo National Park.