Uganda’s smallest savannah National Park at 370 square kilometers stands out for its bevy of breathtaking diversity of ecosystem. Its name was derived from Lake Mburo, the largest Lake in the area which together with 13 others in the area are part of the extensive 50 kilometers’ long wetland system connected by a swamp.
Lake Mburo National Park History
Before the area became to be known as “Lake Mburo National Park”, it used to be a free grazing and hunting area for the aboriginal Bahima Tribe. It was then made a Controlled Hunting Area in 1933 and a Game Reserve in 1963. This however didn’t deter the nearby communities (Bahima Pastoralists) from grazing their cattle inside the Game Reserve until strict measures were placed after it gained a “National Park” status in 1983.
Lake Mburo National Park continued to suffer encroachments and poaching thus affecting the wildlife diversity but with years of developing community-Park relations through sensitization and revenue sharing scheme, wildlife populations have drastically increased.
Lake Mburo National Park Location
Located in Kiruhura district, western Uganda is Lake Mburo National Park and is strategic near the Kampala-Mbarara highway, making it easy to connect to other safari destinations in west and south-west Uganda.
When to visit Lake Mburo National Park
While Lake Mburo National Park can be visited all year round, the dry months-January, February, June, July, August, September and December marked by sunny days and cooler nights favor most Park activities.
Much as the wet months-March, April and May as well as October and November are avoided for their heavy downpours, muddy trails and vegetation overgrowth, they come with birth of more animals as well as the dry and dusty landscapes changing into lush vegetation that create awe-inspiring backdrop for photos. Not only that, it is interesting to know that the wet season is a wonderful time for breeding.
Highlights
Lake Mburo National Park Flora and Fauna
Don’t underestimate Lake Mburo National Park because of its size because it is surprisingly a fusion of varying ecosystems and habitats that include dry hillsides, rocky outcrops, bushy thickets, Lakes and surrounding wetlands, grassy valleys, open and vast wooded savannah and the forest which offer shelter to diversity of flora and fauna.
Game drives
It is obvious that undertaking at least one game drive while in Lake Mburo National Park is an absolute must. This is the best way to see the Park’s unique wildlife species that include Olive baboons, Defassa waterbucks, Vervet monkeys, Topis, Zebras, Cape buffaloes, Impalas, Klipspringer, warthogs, Rothschild giraffes, common elands, Reedbucks, Oribis, as well as the beautiful landscapes and ecosystems.
Boat rides
Lake Mburo National Park is also popular for its sunrise and sunset boat rides, a wonderful opportunity for birders as well as photographers offering opportunity of seeing Cape buffaloes drinking at the Lake banks in addition to huge Hippo and Nile crocodile populations. Species such as African fish eagles, shoebill storks, saddle-billed storks, grey-crowned cranes, white-backed herons, African finfoot are common.
Quad biking
For traveller hopping to ride an ATV Quad bike in the wilderness, it is only possible in Lake Mburo National Park and to make the activity more interesting, there are a number of trails that include Eland guide trail, Ruroko Trail and Ankole trail where common warthogs, impalas, Cape elands, Burchell’s zebras, Rothschild giraffes, vervet monkeys, Klipspringer and Defassa waterbucks are common.
Guided bush walks
There is no perfect way to get up close and personal with the wilderness than undertaking a guided bush walk. Walks are commonly conducted around the salt lick, Lakeshores and around Rwonyo with some of the best wildlife sights and sounds, as well as hidden ecosystems.
Bird watching
Whether you undertake a game drive, bush walk or boat cruise, be sure of encountering Lake Mburo’s rich bird diversity. Sights and sounds of Grey-crowned cranes, African fish eagles, Papyrus yellow warblers, saddle-billed storks, Blue-breasted kingfishers, shoebill storks, Tabora (or long-tailed) Cisticola, Brown-chested lapwing, Yellow-warblers are unmissable.
Horseback rides
Only Mihingo Safari Lodge offers this exceptional and intimate wilderness activity in the spectacular Lake Mburo National Park. Whether you are a budding amateur or the seasoned pro, horseback rides in this Park will offer the satisfaction you look for. Ride with Cape buffaloes, Burchell’s zebras, common elands, warthogs, impalas giraffes and Defassa waterbucks.
Sport fishing
Lake Mburo is blessed with about 6 unique species of fish, Be prepared to catch different sizes of Tilapia from the Mazinga area and all you need is to acquire a fishing permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority, but don’t forget your own equipment.
Rubanga forest walks
For travellers looking for a slice of jungle life, undertaking forest walks in Rubanga will introduce you to a number of primate species especially black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys and red-tailed monkeys in addition to different forest birds species especially double-toothed barbets, Nubian woodpeckers, blue-breasted kingfishers Red-headed lovebirds, Ross Turaco, Hairy-breasted barbets, to mention but a few.
Cycling
Few Safari destinations can offer the opportunity to cycle with animals and Lake Mburo National Park is one of such places. Nothing is more adventurous than riding a bike Burchell’s zebras, Rothschild giraffes, elands, Topis, Cape buffaloes, Defassa waterbucks, Impalas and common warthogs and many others.
How do i get there ?
By Road
The spectacular Lake Mburo National Park is only 240 kilometers west of Kampala City and reachable via the Kampala-Masaka-Lyantonde to Nshara gate (50 kilometers to Mbarara City) or Kampala-Masaka-Sanga Town Council to Sanga gate (about 35 kilometers of Mbarara City).
By Flight
Take a chartered flight to Mbarara airstrip from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip, then connect to the Park by road.