Lake Mburo National Park Uganda is located in Kiruhura District in the western Region of Uganda, about 30km (19mi) East of Mbarara and about 240 km (150 mi) by road west of Kampala. Lake Mburo national park covers an area of 260km2 (100 sq. mi), the park was gazetted in 1933 as a controlled hunting area and upgraded to a park in 1963.
Attractions in Lake Mburo National park.
Wildlife.
Lake Mburo national park hosts a variety of wildlife like the zebra, hippopotamus, impala, warthog, common eland, and African buffalo, with a number of predators like the lion, leopard, hyenas, genets, civets, jackals, serval cats and among others.
Bird species.
Lake Mburo National Park has got more than 315 different species of birds including the rare shoebill stork, paprus yellow warbler, African fin foot, saddle billed stork, brown chested wattled plover, carruther’s cisticola, tabora cisticola, great snipe, Abyssinian ground hornbill, African fish eagle, saddle billed stork and many others to thrill while on Uganda Safaris.
Lake Mburo.
Lake Mburo is a natural haven for biodiversity, with bird species, like the Malachite Kingfishers, African fish eagles, Blue-headed weavers, Green-necked Doves, Hammerkops, Pelicans, Heron and many more, as well you can observe crocodiles, hippopotamus on the banks of the lake.
Rubanga Forest.
Rubanga forest provides a taste of tropical high forest with a closed canopy and a viewing platform for visitors, in the forest a variety of bird species do reside like the Harrier Hawk, Narina Trogon, grey-backed Cameroptera and many more in Lake Mburo national Park.
Rwonyo Rest Camp.
Rwonyo Rest camp is situated inside in the center of the Lake Mburo national park basically for the tourism activities in the park as it starts with the nature hikes, quad biking, game drives, forest walks, bird watching, next there is a shop selling the handcraft and books in the park.
Game Spots.
There are number of game spots in the eastern hinterland of the park where a variety of animal and bird species can be viewed such as the hilltop view point offers the panoramic vistas of Lake Mburo national park and its five lakes.
Ankole Cultural Center.
The surrounding community around Lake Mburo National park is the Banyankole community. The cultural center is situated just outside the park near the Sanga gate, a visit to the center will introduce you to the traditional culture of the area and the local way of life as well the village houses can be visited and Ankole guides will explain their people’s history and lifestyle.
Activities done in Lake Mburo national park.
Game viewing.
Lake Mburo national park boasts with various game drive trails while on agame drive tourists can spot animal species such as the impalas, zebras, elands, Topi, antelopes, bush rat, slender mongoose, duiker, Oribis, Bogor reedbuck, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, Klipspringers.
Bird watching.
Bird watching in Lake Mburo national park is done in the best birding spots in the park including walking on platform near saltlick and forest, and some of the species to be spotted around are Bateleur, Rufous-bellied Heron, grey-crowned, Coqui Francolin, Black-bellied Bustard, Grey Crowned crane, Brown-chested lapwing and many others.
Boat cruise.
Boat cruise is another rewarding activity in the park, the activity is done on Lake Mburo one can be able to view amazing flora and fauna in Lake Mburo national park alongside the crocodiles, hippos and also the bird species while enjoying the water of the lake.
Nature walks.
Nature walks in Lake Mburo National park are the most nature experiencing activity while moving in the park on the foot, here the nature walks in the park are guided by the park ranger but during the activity one can be able to view various animal species in the park even by getting closer to them as well as the bird species.
Sport Fishing.
The main fishing sport at Lake Mburo national park is cat Mazinga and the tourists are advised not to cross the fishing boundaries, there is also a nearby restaurant near the lake where the tourists can relax and chill after fishing. Then the fish caught can be prepared at your respective lodges for dinner.
Horse Riding.
Lake Mburo national park is the only national park that offers horseback riding safari to visitors in Uganda, horseback riding is an exceptional and adventurous activity in Lake Mburo national park where the visitors explore the national park while on a horse back.
Best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park.
Lake Mburo national park is open year round, but the dry seasons from June to August and December to February are the best times for general wildlife viewing as animals gather around Lake Mburo and other water sources.
Where to stay in Lake Mburo national park.
Lake Mburo national park offers accommodation facilities to the guests who come to visit the park in that the accommodations are grouped into the Budget,Mid-range and Luxury accommodations like Mihingo lodge, Rwakobo Rock, Eagle’s Nest Lodge, Mantana Tented camp, Arcadia cottages, Lake Mburo Safari lodge, Rwonyo Rest camp, Hyena Hill Lodge, Kigambira safari lodge and many others.
Entrance fees of Lake Mburo National Park.
| Category | Foreign Non residents(USD) | Foreign Residents(USD) | East Africa Citizen (UGX) |
| Adults | 40 | 30 | 20,000 |
| Children | 20 | 10 | 5000 |
| Ugandan/Pupils and Students(Groups) | 3000 | ||
| Tertially, Institutions/Universities | 5000 | ||
| Uganda wildlife Clubs | 2000 |
How to get to Lake Mburo National park.
Lake Mburo National Park can be accessed by both road and air means of transport from Kampala to the park.
By Road transport.
The distance between the park and Kampala is about 228 kilometers, and the drive takes about 3 and a half to 4 hours depending on the road conditions of the day. The park can be accessed on the two gates from Mbarara the first one being Sanga gate and the next one being the Nshara gate.
By Air transport.
There are no currently domestic flights to the park, but the park can be accessed through using private charter through Aero link of Fly Uganda; the only two domestic flight operators in the country.
Lake Mburo national park is a very special place for a tour in Uganda, in that every part of it is alive with variety, interest and colour, the park contains an extensive area of wetland and also harbors several species of mammals and birds found nowhere else in Uganda.
