Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo national park is the smallest savannah national park in Uganda covering an area of 260 kilometers and the only park situated close to Kampala the capital city of Uganda, the park is located close to Mbarara District.

Lake Mburo national park is situated approximately 3 hours and a half drive from Kampala – the capital to Lame Mburo national park, the park can be accessed using the Masaka – Mbarara Highway road then turn left to the Nshara gate (13 kilometers past Lyantode town) which will lead you through the Sanga Gate. There are 2 well marked junctions with signposts and its approximately 13 kilometers from crested bird the main road up to the Nshara gate. From either of the gates, it is approximately 20 minutes’ drive to Rwonyo Park’s headquarters.

Lake Mburo national park is found in an area covered in dense acacia woodland which makes it different from other wildlife reserves in Uganda, the park hosts large population of Burchell’s zebras and is a fine destination for sightings of the huge antelopes, cape buffaloes, impalas and topis.

Lake Mburo national park is a birder’s haven with exceptional bird species which are associated to acacia including the uncommon shoebill stork, the park also features amazing landscape comprising of grassy hills, spectacular lakes shores, forest galleries, valleys rich with acacia trees, season and permanent swamps which are habitats to a diversity of wildlife.

There are a total of 5 lakes in Lake Mburo national park, these lakes are a home to crocodiles, hippos and a diversity of water birds, the swamps bordering these lakes are a great hideout for mysterious papyrus associated species of animals such as Sitatunga antelopes, the black or red and yellow papyrus gonolek.

Lake Mburo national park has a combination of dry hillsides, forests, rocky outcrops, open and wooded savannah bushes and thickets.

TOURIST ACTIVITIES TO DO IN LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK

Game Viewing

Lake Mburo national park is one of the finest Uganda safari destinations renowned for its rich biodiversity, the park hosts approximately 68 different mammal species including zebras, impalas, Buffaloes, Topi, Elands, the occasional Roan antelopes, jackals, leopards and Hyenas. During game drives through the park using several trails, you will enjoy sights of these animals.

Birdwatching in the park

Lake Mburo National Park is a fine birding safari destination and a haven for birders with a diversity of colorful birds, there are fascinating bird species to look out for in Lake Mburo national park as it is a habitat to more than 315 various bird species.

Birds to lookout for during your Uganda birding safari include uncommon shoebill storks, brown chested wattled plover, African fin foot, tabora cisticola,  saddle billed stork, great snipe, papyrus yellow warbler, curruther’s cisticola, Olea species and Boscia, hornbill & white winged warbler, the abyssinian ground among others.

There are also rare species such as the fascinating Little Brown jobs which are the most challenging to spot, majority of the birds recorded in Lake Mburo national park are generalist and they can be seen almost anywhere inside the park. However there are particularly 5 bird species which are specifically found within the forest and 60 specialist water – birds, some of the birds prefer short/tall grasslands and thus being seen within the woodlands.

Categorizes of birds in Lake Mburo national park are open water birds, Lakeshore and papyrus swamp birds, forest birds, seasonal swamp birds, grassland birds and woodland birds. The birds of the open – water found within the park include the Pink-backed pelican, White winged black tern & Greater cormorant, Darter, Long-tailed cormorant, White pelican and the Yellow-billed duck.

Boat ride

Lake Mburo national park is dominated by a chain of lakes with Lake Mburo as the biggest lake and where boat rides are offered, this boat ride is a great way to explore the lake and also enjoy spotting a variety of wildlife along the shores of the lake such as hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, antelopes and many water birds.

The boat ride lasts for about 2 hours.

 Guided nature walks

In Lake Mburo national park there are various nature trails used in guided nature walks, this experience is done with a guidance of a ranger and an armed guide offering visitors an opportunity to marvel at the exceptional nature insights.

Salt Lick

Salt lick is a great site to visit during the guided nature walks, Salt lick has a well located platform (Observation point) where you will have an opportunity to see various animal species licking the salty soil which is a fascinating scene to see.

 Rubanga Forest

Rubaga Forest is another great site for guided walking safari in Lake Mburo national park, the forest is a habitat to more than 40 bird species and is explored on foot with a guidance of a ranger. Rubanga Forest is a relatively small forest and during your walk, you will be able to spot sever bird species and various species of flora dominating the forests such as theMarkhamia platycalyx (grey-brown truck) with uneven flaky patches, alienated leaves, yellow-flowers stripped as well as spotted with red; brunches of very long (1.3 meter pod-like fruits). Blaze tree Erythrina abyssinica, Palms, figs and sapium found near the rim of the Swamp.

Conservation Education Center

Lake Mburo national park possesses a conservation Education Center situated only one kilometer from the Sanga Gate, the center offers good accommodation with a hall that can host up to 40 people perfect for individual visitors, workshops, students on a group tour  and seminars.

 Visiting the Interpretation center

At the interpretation center , visitors are offered literature regarding the park’s history biodiversity as well as the other resources including the picturesque beauty. The interpretation Center is found at Rwonyo Hills and serves as the beginning point for nature walks.

Fishing tours

Lake Mburo national park is one of the few Uganda safari destinations where fishing is possible and is done in the designated area at Mazinga, visitors interested in this experience are advised to carry their own fishing equipments.

The lake has6 fish species including Tilapia which is the common fish in Lake Mburo.

Accommodation in Lake Mburo national park

Lake Mburo national park offers various accommodation options ranging from luxury, midrange and budget including

• Hyena Hill Lodge
• Mburo Eagle’s Nest
• Kigambira Safari Lodge
• Arcadia Cottages
• Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
• Rwonyo Rest Camp

Getting to Lake Mburo national park

Lake Mburo National Park can be accessed by road and air means of transport,

By Road:

Lake Mburo national park is located in Mbarara district along the Mbarara – Kampala Road and it is a drive of 3 and a half hours from Kampala.

When you reach in Mbarara, you will turn left after 13 kilometers past the town of Lyantonde leading you to the Sanga gate.

By air:

There are domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport to airstrip in Mbarara, then head to the park by a vehicle.