Lake Mburo National Park
LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Few places in Uganda will capture and hold your attention as the tinny Lake Mburo National Park. If you are interested in relishing off-the-beaten track experiences during your trip in the Pearl of Africa, then a trip to western Uganda will soothe your emotions.
Expanse of Lake Mburo National Park
Wedged in the western side of Uganda between Kiruhura and Mbarara districts, this outstanding Protected Area is more than just a quick stopover for visitors exploring the western circuit. It is made up of about 143 square miles of savannah grasslands, permanent and seasonal swamps, Acacia-dominated valleys and forests.
This Park derived its name from the beautiful Lake Mburo, largest water body in the area. This Lake alongside 13 other Lakes in the area is part of the extensive 31-mile long wetland system. Surprisingly, over 20% of the Protected Area’s surface is marked by swampy habitats and the largest part of its land surface covered by woodland. However, there is no single elephant to tame this vegetation, although Rothschild giraffes were introduced in 2015.
The History of Lake Mburo National Park
This park became a Controlled Hunting Area in 1933 and a Game Reserve in 1963, but because the nearby community of Bahima Pastoralists still continued grazing their huge herds of cattle within the Protected Area, the site was made a National Park in 1983.
Unfortunately, the animals’ future remained uncertain because of insecurity, caused by Bahima pastoralists. However, they were unfairly evicted from the Protected Area without compensation. This brought about indignation towards the Park Authorities as well as Conservation and it is this resentment that brought about poisoning of some of the wildlife.
Lake Mburo National Park location
Being one of the safari destinations in the western circuit, Lake Mburo National Park is comfortably sitted between Kiruhura and Mbarara district, close to the Kampala-Mbarara highway, connecting to other parts of western and south-western Uganda. Additionally, it is only 18 miles East of the City of Mbarara as well as about 149 miles by road west of Kampala City. This makes it the most accessible National Park in Uganda.
What to see within Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is a remarkable blend of beautiful ecosystems and habitats that include savannah bush lands, permanent and seasonal wetlands, thickets, grassy valleys, Lakes, dry hillsides, open and vast wooded savannah, rocky outcrops and a forest that offer shelter to incredible species of animals and birds.
It is in this small Park that over 70 mammal species call home. Venture into different activities that will introduce you to Defassa waterbucks, warthogs, Cape buffaloes, common elands, impalas, Burchell’s zebras, Oribis, Sitatunga, spotted hyenas, Reedbucks, Rothschild giraffe, Topis, Olive baboons, Klipspringer, vervet monkeys, leopards, bush pigs, genets, duikers, Hippos, bushbucks, serval cats, jackals, blue monkeys, Hippopotamus and many others.
In Lake Mburo National Park, the chirps of colorful and vibrant birds will break the silence in your Safari Lodge and expect over 350 species. The commonest species are the Saddle-billed storks, bare-faced go away bird, Tabora (or long-tailed) Cisticola, Blue-breasted kingfisher, African finfoot, Hairy-breasted barbets, African fish eagles, red-faced barbets, Nubian woodpeckers, Papyrus yellow warblers, shoebill storks, Carruther’s cisticola, African-wattled lapwing, Grey-crowned cranes, Ross Turaco, Yellow-warblers, African scops owls, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Brown-chested lapwing, to mention but a few.
Best safari experiences within Lake Mburo National Park
Guided game drives
Guided game drives are one of the most exciting ways of getting up-close to the animals in addition to relishing the jaw-dropping landscapes. Early morning and late afternoons are the best times to enjoy these adventures, because most visitors avoid the scotching heat and always have an UWA Park ranger onboard to identify the animals. These Rangers are experienced and know the best spots to find animals that include Olive baboons, Zebras, common elands, Reedbucks, Defassa waterbucks, Rothschild giraffes, Cape buffaloes and so much more.
Boat rides
Lake Mburo National Park tours by Boat rides provide truly outstanding experiences in Uganda. This activity makes it possible for travellers to view the calm waters and its shores plus unique animals that include Hippos, Nile crocodiles and antelopes without forgetting the extraordinary bird species that include African finfoot, grey-crowned cranes, pelicans, saddle-billed storks, white-backed herons and so much more.
Walking safaris
Lake Mburo National Park also offers unrivalled walking safaris where visitors are immersed into the unspoilt wilderness, thus bringing them closer to the wilderness. The adventure is usually done by armed guides who take visitors to riveting spots where views of numerous animals, birds and breathtaking landscapes are enjoyed. The salt lick, Lakeshores and Rwonyo area are some of the must-visit places during walking safaris.
Birding Tours
The Birding tours in Lake Mburo National Park are available for both first-timers and frequent travellers of all backgrounds as well as experiences. The adventure is led by expert birders who ensure that optimal spotting and photography is achieved. Some of the common species are African fish eagles, Papyrus yellow warblers, Blue-breasted kingfishers, Brown-chested lapwing, Grey-crowned cranes, saddle-billed storks, shoebill storks, Tabora Cisticola, Yellow-warblers and many others. The verdant Rubanga forest is one of the top birding spots in this tinny National Park,
Horseback ride Tours
Lake Mburo National Park is undeniably full of jaw-dropping wildlife experiences but one of the most mind-blowing is undertaking horseback ride tours, only provided by the stupendous Mihingo Safari Lodge. These rides are done twice a way, in the morning beginning at 10am and in the afternoon starting at 2pm. This activity literally means riding with Burchell’s zebras, giraffes, Defassa waterbucks, common elands and warthogs.
Sport fishing
Another amazing way to uncover the beauty of the park is sport fishing where 6 fish species including Tilapia are caught from the renowned Mazinga area. The fishing permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority, but travellers are required to come along with their own fishing equipment.
Rubanga forest walks
A network of trails were designed through the verdant Rubanga forest to bring visitors closer to the unique tree species, primates (black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys and red-tailed monkeys) and at least 14 bird species that call the forest home. Common bird species here are Nubian woodpeckers, Red-headed lovebirds, double-toothed barbets, Ross Turaco, Hairy-breasted barbets, blue-breasted kingfishers and many others.
Cycling Safari
Create a different definition of safaris by taking part in cycling tours of Lake Mburo National Park while spotting the Burchell’s zebras, Impalas, Cape buffaloes, common warthogs, Topis, giraffes, elands and so much more. The stunning landscape of this Park in form of savannah plains, verdant green valleys and rolling hills make it possible to cycle, more over in an outstanding way.
Quad biking
You can actually ride on a Quad Bike in Lake Mburo National Park, and so far this is the only place to enjoy the tour in the wilderness. Take on the different trails that include Ankole trail, Eland guided trail and Ruroko Trail where Defassa waterbucks, Cape buffaloes, Reedbucks, impalas, Oribis, zebras, Olive baboons, Rothschild giraffes, giant elands, Klipspringer and others are seen.
Best time to go on safari to Lake Mburo National Park
The best time to go on safari to this park is dry season – December to February, again June to September when water become scares thus forcing animals to the few watering points in the Park or the vegetation becomes shorter. These two conditions provide wonderful game viewing experiences. Nonetheless, all the tourist activities can still be enjoyed when you visit during the wet season.
Where to lodge when exploring Lake Mburo National Park
There are a number of privately owned as well as UWA-run places of lodging in form of Safari Lodges, Campsites and Tented Camps. Travellers can stay at Rwonyo Rest Camp, Mantana Tented Camp, Eagles Nest Camp, Rwakobo Rock, Arcadia Cottages, Conservation Education center, Lake Mburo Lodge, Kigambira Safari Lodge, Leopard Rest Lodge, Mihingo Safari Lodge, to mention but a few.
Getting to Lake Mburo National Park for safari
There are so far two main options to get to this park. Take a domestic flight to Mbarara airstrip, then drive one hour to Lake Mburo National Park. Or better still, Drive through the Kampala-Masaka-Lyantonde road to Nshara gate and Kampala-Masaka-Sanga Town to Sanga gate.