Lake Mburo natioal park
LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest Savanna grassland National Park in Uganda that’s conveniently situated on the highway joining Kampala to Western Uganda in Nyabushozi county, Kiruhura District. Lake Mbura is set at an altitude between 1,220 metres to 1,828 meters in the rain shadows of Rwenzori mountains near to the Equator line covering 370 square kilometres of land area rich in bio-diversity, cultural experiences and scenic beauty. She lies in southern Ankole region approximately 228 km from Kampala Capital City in about 4 to 5 hours drive depending on the traffic. Lake Mburo National Park was officially gazetted as a national park in 1,983 after an upgrade to Game Reserve in 1,963 from a controlled hunting area in 1,933 that was occupied by the Banyankole Bahima pastoralists who largely depended on Ankole cattle keeping
LOCATION OF LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK:
Lake Mburo National Park lies on the highway joining Kampala to Western Uganda in Nyabushozi county, Kiruhura District within southern Ankole region bordered by other districts like Isingiro and Mbarara in the East approximately 228 km from Kampala Capital City in about 4 to 5 hours’ drive depending on the traffic. The short distance makes it the closest of all Uganda’s national park to Kampala capital city.
ATTRACTIONS IN LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK:
- WILDLIFE:
Lake Mburo in Uganda is a home to numerous wildlife species of over 63 mammal species, 350 bird species, and reptiles and others. The numerous mammal species include the medium-sized antelopes with reddish-brown coat and white chest known as Impala that are only found in this park, Eland, klipspringer around rocky outcrops, warthog, African buffaloes, bushbucks, spotted hyenas, leopards, Rothchild’s Giraffe, waterbucks and herds of Zebras among more as well as Reptiles such as Hippos and Nile crocodiles together with other wildlife like vervet monkeys and olive baboons among others. Lake Mburo supports over 350 bird species making it one of Uganda’s best birding destinations and these include giant shoebills, papyrus yellow warblers, white-winged warbler, African harrier hawk, and Red-faced barbet among more.
- BIRDS:
Lake Mburo supports over 350 bird species making it one of Uganda’s best birding destinations and these include giant shoebills, papyrus yellow warblers, white-winged warbler, African harrier hawk, purple herons, Southern ground hornbills, African Fish Eagle, Pelicans, blue quails, brown parrots, African Finfoot, blue-headed coucal, blue breasted kingfishers, yellow-rumped tinker bird, black crakes, common squacco, black-bellied bustard, and Red-faced barbet among more. Some of the bird check-list in Lake Mburo includes 8 of the 12 Lake Victoria Basin biome species which thrive in the park’s vast savannah grassland valleys, Egyptian goose, wetlands, woodlands and lake.
- LAKES:
Lake Mburo is largely dominated by lakes at 20% coverage made up of wetlands, most notably five lakes and Lake Mburo being the largest at 13 square kilometers with over six species of fish. These amazing lakes provide home to a variety of aquatic species especially the large number of hippos in the lakes, crocodiles and water bird species, among.
- BOAT CRUISE:
Lake Mburo Boat cruise gives an opportunity to tourists to encounter a variety of aquatic species such as large numbers of Hippos, crocodiles and birds among. The Boat cruise is done in shifts from 9am to 5pm and each cruise lasting for about 2 hours ride.
- GAME DRIVES:
Lake Mburo National Park Game Drive are basically categorised into day game drives and evening game drive or night game drives preferably by a ranger in about 2 to 3 hours with a pop-up vehicle roof. Some of the wildlife to spot on a game drive in Lake Mburo include medium-sized antelopes with reddish-brown coat and white chest known as Impala that are only found in this park, Eland, klipspringer around rocky outcrops, warthog, African buffaloes, bushbucks, spotted hyenas, leopards, Rothchild’s Giraffe, topis, waterbucks and herds of Zebras among more.
- BIRD WATCHING
Lake Mburo supports over 350 bird species making it one of Uganda’s best birding destinations and these include giant shoebills, papyrus yellow warblers, white-winged warbler, African harrier hawk, purple herons, Southern ground hornbills, African Fish Eagle, Pelicans, blue quails, brown parrots, African Finfoot, blue-headed coucal, blue-breasted kingfishers, yellow-rumped tinker bird, black crakes, common squacco, black-bellied bustard, and Red-faced barbet among more. Some of the bird check-list in Lake Mburo includes 8 of the 12 Lake Victoria Basin biome species which thrive in the park’s vast savannah grassland valleys, Egyptian goose, wetlands, woodlands and lake offering unmatched birding experience.
- NATURE WALKS
Lake Mburo offers a 2 hours nature walk time frame for tourists to explore her different parts viewing the wildlife on foot. The Nature walks in Lake Mburo guarantee exceptional views of wildlife like medium-sized antelopes with reddish-brown coat and white chest known as Impala that are only found in this park, Eland, klipspringer around rocky outcrops, warthog, African buffaloes, bushbucks, spotted hyenas, leopards, Rothchild’s Giraffe, topis, waterbucks and herds of Zebras among more.
- HORSE RIDING:
Horse riding in Lake Mburo National Park is one of the most amazing activity to carry-out while in Lake Mburo as it provides tourists a great experience to connect deeply with nature exploring the African wilderness while viewing wild animals. Horse Riding can be done around Mihingo Lodge taking the tourists into the park while viewing wild animals.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
- QUAD-BIKING:
This is one of the most enjoyable activity to be carried on in Lake Mburo offering views of the park’s magnificent terrains, and wildlife.
- CYCLING:
Lake Mburo offers a chance to tourists to view wildlife while on a bicycle.
- SPORT FISHING:
Lake Mburo is largely dominated by lakes at 20% coverage made up of wetlands, most notably five lakes and Lake Mburo being the largest at 13 square kilometres with over six species of fish including tilapia. Fishing adventures are best done at Mazinga.
BEST TIME TO VISIT LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK:
Lake Mburo National Park offers the best time to visit it in the dry season in Uganda. The Dry Season in Uganda is categorised into long dry season in the months of June, July, August and Early September as well short dry season in the months of December, January and February.
Though the park is available all year round for visitation.
DIRECTIONS TO THE PARK:
Lake Mburo is situated approximately 228 km from Kampala Capital City in about 4 to 5 hours’ drive depending on the traffic by road. The short distance makes it the closest of all Uganda’s national park to Kampala capital city. It lies on the highway along Kampala – Mbarara route and by air, a flight from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield and land in Mbarara Airstrip in about 1.5 hours then head to the park on road.
ACCOMODATIONS IN AND AROUND LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK:
Accommodations in Lake Mburo National Park are categorised into budget, mid-range and luxury stay in and around.
THE BUDGET ACCOMMODATIONS include Lake Mwamba safari, Leopard Rest Camp, Rangeland Mburo Lodge, and Rwonyo Rest Camp.
MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATIONS like Hyena Hill lodge, Rwakobo Rock, and Arcadia Cottages,
LUXURY ACCOMMODATION like Emburara Farm Lodge, Mihingo Lodge, Kigarama Wilderness Lodge, and Kigambira Safari Lodge.
