Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda and the closest to both Kampala and Entebbe. It is an excellent destination for those planning wildlife safaris, birding tours, or game viewing in Uganda. Many Uganda safari packages designed by professional tour operators include Lake Mburo National Park in their itineraries, especially for bird enthusiasts. The park is situated about 240 kilometers from Kampala and just 30 kilometers from Mbarara, the largest town in western Uganda. From Entebbe Airport, the distance to Lake Mburo National Park is approximately 290 kilometers.

The park is bordered by four major districts: Mbarara, Lyantonde, Isingiro North, and Kiruhura. Reaching Lake Mburo by road takes about 3 to 3.5 hours from Kampala or Entebbe, making it one of Uganda’s most accessible national parks. The park’s coordinates are 00°36’S, 30°57’E (Latitude: 0.6000; Longitude: 30.9500), and it covers 260 square kilometers. Despite its small size, it features savannah landscapes underlined by ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks.

Lake Mburo National Park was first designated as a controlled hunting area in 1933 and later upgraded to a game reserve in 1963. At that time, the area was predominantly inhabited by the Banyankore pastoralists (commonly known as Bahima), who continued grazing their livestock within the reserve. In 1983, the Obote regime elevated the reserve to national park status, partly as a punitive measure against the Banyankore, who were suspected of supporting anti-Obote rebels. The pastoralists were evicted without compensation or resettlement assistance, leading to widespread protests. This decision coincided with Operation Bonanza, during which 300,000 lives were lost. Following the establishment of the park, the surrounding rangelands were divided into smaller subsistence plots.

Origin

The origin of Lake Mburo National Park is rooted in a traditional legend about two brothers, Mburo and Kigarama, who lived in the low-lying savannah plains, an area historically known as Kaaro Karungi. One night, Kigarama had a dream warning of heavy rains that would cause devastating floods and destroy everything. He shared the dream with his brother, but Mburo dismissed it. In African culture, dreams are often taken seriously, so Kigarama decided to leave the area and move to the nearby hills, leaving Mburo behind. As foretold, the rains came, causing severe flooding that drowned Mburo and destroyed his belongings. The area was thereafter named “Mburo” in his memory, while the surrounding hills were named after Kigarama. This fascinating tale is often shared during safaris and visits to Lake Mburo National Park, enriching the cultural experience of the trip.

Ecosystem

Lake Mburo National Park boasts a diverse ecosystem, making it a unique and captivating destination for nature lovers. The park’s western region is characterized by rocky ridges, forested gorges, and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland, creating stunning landscapes that attract tourists eager to explore its hidden treasures. Despite being home to 68 mammal species, the park lacks lions and elephants, allowing visitors to move closer to the wildlife for an intimate experience. Among the animals are zebras, giraffes, impalas, and buffaloes, while the park’s skies are filled with a variety of birds, including the rare shoebill, stork, African finfoot, pelican, and heron.

The park’s forests provide habitats for animals and play a crucial role in influencing rainfall, which sustains the park’s ecosystem. These forests, along with acacia trees, valleys, and grasslands, offer food and shelter for wildlife. Seasonal and permanent swamps, rich in papyrus, also contribute to the park’s ecosystem. The papyrus is used to craft various items that can be sold, supporting the local economy. With its rich biodiversity and natural beauty, Lake Mburo National Park offers a serene and unforgettable experience for visitors.

What to Do in Lake Mburo National Park

Game Drives in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park offers exciting morning and afternoon game drives in 4 pop-up safari vehicles, following tracks like Zebra Track, Kazuma Track, and Kigambira Loop. These drives provide scenic views and sightings of zebras, giraffes, hippos, buffalos, oribis, bushbucks, reedbucks, bush duikers, and various bird species such as black-bellied bustards and kingfishers.

For a unique experience, night game drives allow visitors to explore the park after dark with spotlight torches, offering a chance to see nocturnal animals like genet cats, bush pigs, white-tailed mongooses, and grazing hippos.

Boat Cruise in Lake Mburo National Park

A boat cruise is a must-do activity in Lake Mburo National Park, offering a serene way to explore the park’s wildlife and landscapes. Cruises are available in the morning (starting around 9:00 AM) and in the afternoon (starting around 2:00 PM), each lasting 2 to 3 hours.

During the boat ride, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the park’s scenery and spot a variety of wildlife, including hippos and crocodiles in the water, as well as buffaloes, waterbucks, and warthogs along the shores. The cruise is also ideal for birdwatching, with sightings of species such as cormorants, kingfishers, herons, pelicans, African fish eagles, the elusive shoebill stork, and African fin foots.

A boat cruise on Lake Mburo promises a relaxing and unforgettable safari experience.

Bird Watching in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is a birding haven, home to over 350 recorded bird species, including endemic, migratory, water, savannah, and forest birds. This diversity makes it a paradise for bird enthusiasts.

Bird watching can be enjoyed in various locations within the park, such as Rubanga Forest, the swampy valleys of Miriti and Warukiri, and along the roadsides near Rwonyo camp. Activities like game drives, boat cruises, and guided nature walks offer excellent opportunities to spot these fascinating birds.

Bird species you might encounter include the saddle-billed stork, African wattled lapwing, African fin foot, papyrus gonolek, red-faced barbet, brown-chested lapwing, blue-breasted kingfisher, grey-crowned cranes, Nubian woodpecker, Ross’s turaco, and many more.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a casual nature lover, bird watching in Lake Mburo National Park offers an unforgettable experience amidst Uganda’s stunning landscapes.

Nature Walks and Hiking in Lake Mburo National Park

Nature walks and hiking in Lake Mburo National Park offer a unique opportunity to explore the park on foot, accompanied by an armed park ranger and an experienced guide. These guided walks allow visitors to immerse themselves in the park’s natural beauty and experience wildlife up close.

You can follow various trails during the nature walks:

• Salt Lick Trail: Discover animals like buffaloes and waterbucks as they gather to lick natural salt deposits.
• Kazuma Hill Trail: Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the park and its surrounding lakes.
• Rubanga Forest Trail: Spot diverse bird species and enjoy the tranquil forest environment.

During the hike, you’ll encounter wildlife such as zebras, warthogs, hippos, and buffaloes. Bird enthusiasts can enjoy sightings of numerous bird species, while colorful butterflies add to the scenic experience. The guided nature walks also provide a chance to enjoy the cool breeze, hear the soothing sounds of birds, and connect with nature in its purest form.

This activity is ideal for those seeking a serene yet thrilling adventure in Uganda’s wilderness.

Sport Fishing in Lake Mburo National Park

Sport fishing is a popular activity in Lake Mburo National Park, offering visitors an exciting opportunity to engage with the park’s aquatic life. The activity takes place in designated areas such as Mazinga and requires a sport fishing permit, which can be obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Visitors are also advised to bring their own fishing equipment.

An experienced guide will assist you during the activity, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable fishing experience. The park is home to six fish species, including lungfish, mudfish, tilapia, catfish, and tigerfish, with tilapia being the most commonly caught species. The kind of fishing here that Uganda Wildlife Authority emphasizes is catch and release.

Sport fishing in Lake Mburo is not just about the catch but also about enjoying the serene environment, making it a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.

Horseback Riding in Lake Mburo National Park

Horseback riding is an exciting and adventurous way to explore Lake Mburo National Park. This unique safari activity allows you to interact with wildlife up close while riding across the park’s scenic savannah plains.

During the horseback safari, you’ll have the chance to encounter a variety of animals, including buffaloes, zebras, topis, warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks, elands, impalas, and duikers. Bird enthusiasts will also enjoy spotting a wide range of bird species along the way.

This intimate experience offers a peaceful and eco-friendly way to enjoy the park’s beauty and wildlife, making it an unforgettable adventure for visitors.

This experience is provided by Mihingo lodge, and the prices are shown below;

• 5 hr (Outside the National Park) $25(lodge guests) and $40 (non-Mihingo guests)
• 1 hr (Inside or outside the National Park) $50(Mihingo Guests) and $70(non-Mihingo guests)
• 2 hrs (Inside or outside the National Park) $80(Mihingo Guests) and $110 (non-Mihingo guests)
• 3 hrs (Inside the National Park) $100(Mihingi Guests) and $130 (non-Mihingo guests)
• 4 hrs (Inside the National Park) $120(Mihingi Guests) and $150 (non-Mihingo guests 4 hrs with 1 hr bush breakfast (Inside the NP) $170(Mihingi Guests) and $240 (non-Mihingo guests

Cycling in Lake Mburo National Park

Cycling in Lake Mburo National Park is a thrilling and adventurous activity that allows visitors to explore the park’s diverse landscapes on bicycles. Guided by experienced game rangers, cycling ensures both safety and an up-close experience with nature.

Cycling routes wind through the park’s open savannah plains, swampy valleys, and forested hills, offering incredible views and encounters with wildlife. Along the way, you may spot animals such as zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, warthogs, hippopotami, impalas, and elands, as well as a variety of bird species and unique vegetation types.

This eco-friendly activity combines adventure, exercise, and wildlife viewing, making it a memorable way to experience the beauty of Lake Mburo National Park.

The bikes are available for hire from Uganda Wildlife Authority at the park headquarters and Mihingo Lodge at $30 per person for about 1-3 hours.

Where to Stay on a Safari in lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park offers some of the best and most affordable accommodation options among Uganda’s national parks, catering to a wide range of budgets and preferences. Lodges are categorized into three levels: luxury, mid-range, and budget.

For budget-friendly options, Rwonyo Rest Camp, Hyena Hill Lodge, Mpogo Lodge, and Eagles Nest Lodge provide comfortable stays without breaking the bank. Mid-range accommodations include Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Mantana Tented Camp, and Arcadia Cottages, offering excellent services and amenities for travelers seeking a balance of quality and affordability.

For those desiring a more luxurious experience, Lake Mburo National Park boasts high-end lodges such as Mihingo Lodge, Kigarama Safari Lodge, and Lake Mburo Safari Lodge. These upscale lodges provide premium services, exceptional comfort, and stunning views of the park.

All the lodges are conveniently located near the park, ensuring easy access and a seamless safari experience for visitors. Regardless of your budget, Lake Mburo National Park has accommodations to suit every traveler’s needs.

Getting to Lake Mburo National Park

Reaching Lake Mburo National Park is quite convenient, as it is one of the closest national parks to Uganda’s capital, Kampala. The most common way to access the park is by road. A drive from Entebbe to Lake Mburo takes approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes, covering a distance of 290 kilometers. Alternatively, a drive from Kampala to the park takes about 4 hours over a distance of 245 kilometers.

For those seeking a quicker option, flying is available. You can take a domestic flight from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Mbarara Airstrip, which takes less than an hour. This is the fastest and most convenient mode of transport to the park.

Contact us for a safari to lake Mburo national Park. We’ll swiftly respond to your inquiry, and we’ll organize an unforgettable experience to the “Whispers of the Wild”.