Lake Mburo National Park – Whispers of the Wild
Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest savannah national park. It is the closest to Kampala City and Entebbe International Airport. The park was gazetted in 1933 as a controlled hunting area. Later, in 1963, it became a game reserve. This area was predominantly occupied by the Banyankole cattle keepers, who used to herd their cattle in the reserve.
In 1983, the reserve was granted national park status during Obote’s regime as a way to punish the Banyankole cattle farmers since they were Obote’s anti-rebels. These rebels were not compensated and had to lose their grazing grounds. When Obote’s regime declined in 1985, the former pastoralists within the park started destroying the park’s infrastructure, expelling the staff. They also started taking over part of the park’s land. Later, the remaining land of the park was gazetted by the current government, thus becoming Uganda’s smallest savannah national park.
Location and size
Lake Mburo National Park covers an area of 370 square kilometers, and wetlands occupy 20% of this land. The park is located on the Mbarara—Masaka—Kampala highway in the Kiruhura district. It is a 4-hour drive to the park from Kampala. Lake Mburo National Park is near the biggest town in western Uganda, Mbarara. The park is home to over 350 bird species, making it a birders’ haven with several bird species.
Additionally, the Park has a 50-kilometre wetland cover of 13 lakes inside, 5 of which are at the park’s border. Savannah-type vegetation is predominant within the park, home to a wide range of wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, and impalas. Twenty percent of the park’s revenue is usually given to the community as a corporate responsibility project to develop schools, hospitals, and other facilities.
What to see while on Safari
While on the Uganda safari to Lake Mburo National Park, there is a variety of attractions to see they including;
Wildlife
While on a safari to Lake Mburo National Park, the park has a variety of wildlife, and this wildlife creates a basic experience for a traveler on a Uganda safari. Some of the wildlife includes: impalas, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, and giraffes, to mention but a few. A safari game drive in this Park will introduce you to multiple animal species. A guided nature walk or horseback riding safari in Lake Mburo National Park is highly recommended for a more in-depth wildlife encounter. Following different trails during a game drive in this park will create a signature of memories. Some of these trails include: the Zebra Track, Kigambira Loop, Kazuma Track, and Lakeside Track.
Bird species
The park is home to a variety of bird species. Over 350 bird species can be spotted on a birding safari to Lake Mburo National Park. The Rwonyo area and Rubanga Forest are perfect birding areas in the Park. Some bird species in this park include: the mosque swallow, black-bellied bustard, rufous sterling, southern hornbill, and many others. These make Lake Mburo National Park a birder’s haven for travelers interested in safaris or birding tours.
Lake Mburo
The park‘s name originates from the lake within the park, Lake Mburo. During a safari to Lake Mburo National Park, the lake is a bucket list attraction that a traveler must see. During the visit to Lake Mburo, you can see various wildlife on the lake shores, like crocodiles, a school of hippos, and buffalo. The lake is also home to water birds like the American white ibis, the green heron, the great blue heron, the grey-crowned crested crane, and many more.
Rubanga forest
This tropical forest is found within the park in the western part of Lake Mburo. It has one of the interesting closed canopies and is a viewing point for travelers on a Uganda safari. During your visit to this forest, you will be able to see many forest bird species, such as green pigeons and narina trogons. A guided nature walk in Rubanga Forest is perfect for bird lovers. The walk has scenic views and a chance to enjoy the natural breeze on a Uganda safari.
Ankole culture
The Banyankole is one of the predominant tribes in the communities surrounding the park. These communities are predominantly known for their cattle-rearing activity near the Sanga gate. This community has a unique tradition and crafts that a traveler will encounter. On a safari to Lake Mburo National Park, travelers immerse themselves in the local communities. They learn about the history and traditions of the Banyankole, the ancient dwellers of the region. Book yourself a Uganda Cultural Safari and turn moments into memories.
What can you do on safari in Lake Mburo National Park?
On your Uganda safari to Lake Mburo National Park, you have a variety of activities. Some of the activities to do on safari in the Park include;
Game drives
On your Uganda safari, a game drive is one of the essential activities on the bucket list in Mburo. During this safari, you must use the 4×4 van to drive through designated tracks in an open van to ensure closeness to the wild. These tracks include: the Zebra Track, Kigambira Loop, Kazuma Track, and Lakeside Track. While on a game drive, you can see animals like buffalo, zebra, giraffes, and many others.
Boat cruise on Lake Mburo
A boat cruise in Lake Mburo National Park is usually carried out on Lake Mburo. During this boat cruise, you can see different wildlife, including large schools of hippos, buffalo, and zebras. Travelers spot multiple bird species along the shores of the lake, making it an experiential trip on a Uganda safari.
Horseback riding
While in Lake Mburo National Park, horseback riding should be on the bucket list. Horseback riding safaris in Lake Mburo National Park are done at the Mihingo Lodge. During this ride, you will encounter the wild on the back of the horses. The park rangers usually guide horse riding to ensure the safety of the travelers while on a Uganda safari. These provide an up-close encounter with birds and wildlife on a trip to Uganda. This is an opportunity to connect with nature and create memories that last a lifetime.
Birding
Are you planning a Uganda birding safari? Lake Mburo National Park is among the best places to add to your travel destinations list. Lake Mburo is a true haven for birders since it is home to multiple bird species. The majority of the birds in Lake Mburo are Rift Valley endemics. Additionally, the park receives large numbers of migratory birds. Taking a birding tour in this Park is a rewarding experience. The bird guides in the park are experienced and always ready to attend to all your birding concerns. You can book a Uganda Birding Tour now.
What is the best time to visit the Park?
Lake Mburo National Park is an open safari destination throughout the year. This implies that the park is open to travelers at all times. The Park is open on both weekends and public holidays. However, the dry season is usually the best time to visit the Park. The dry seasons run from June to September and December to February. During this period, there are fewer or no chances of rain. Hence, activities like game drives, nature walks, and boat cruises can be easily done. The rainy season has advantages, such as reduced accommodation prices since it is considered a low season for tourism in Uganda.
The best time to visit the Park depends entirely on the traveler’s needs and budget. Would you be willing to talk to a Uganda Tour Consultant now for more advice?
How to get there
Accessing Lake Mburo National Park is usually by either road or air transport. By road transport, you will have a 4-hour drive from Kampala City to the Park, which is about 228 kilometers away from Kampala City. The park is mainly accessed by road. While on the road, the park has two access points: Nshara and Sanga gates. While on the highway from Kampala, you will branch off 5 kilometers away from the Kampala highway to Nshara gate. The Sanga gate is 13 kilometers away from the Sanga trading center.
On the other hand, you can travel by air, taking a direct flight from Kajansi Airstrip or the Entebbe International Airport to Mbarara Airstrip. Since the park does not have airstrips, you can also book direct domestic flights.
Where to stay?
There are various accommodation facilities in Lake Mburo National Park, ranging from luxury to mid-range and budget facilities.
Luxury accommodation facilities offer high-end services to travelers. These services are usually quite expensive and desirable. The facilities in Lake Mburo include Mburo Safari Lodge, Mihingo Lodge, Montana’s Lake Mburo Lodge, and many others..
Midrange accommodation facilities include: the Mburo Safari Cottages, Arcadia Cottages, Rwakobo Rock Safari Lodge, Mpogo Lodge, and many others.
Budget accommodation facilities offer services to travelers on a tight budget. Since the budget is also low, the services offered are usually low-cost. These facilities include a leopard Rest Camp, Rwonyo Rest Camp, Mburo Eagles’ Nest, and many others.
On the Uganda safari, Lake Mburo National Park is usually the last or starting destination, so travelers are generally advised to choose and book in advance to ensure they have the best safari in Lake Mburo National Park.
