Lake Mburo National Park
Known as the Whispers of the Wild, Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest Savannah National Park in Uganda with a size of 370km2 and is located in Kiruhura district. Lake Mburo National Park is a compact gem in the wilderness and it’s home to 69 mammal species and 332 bird species.
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It contains much woodland and in the Western part of the park, the Savannah is inter spread with rocky ridges and forested gorges while patches of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line many lakes. Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50 km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders.
Flora And Fauna
Lake Mburo National Park is blessed with woodlands, forested gorges, lakes, swamps, thickets, rocky ridges and it’s home to numerous mammal and bird species.
It’s home to 69 mammal species and it’s the only National Park that contains impalas in Uganda.
It is also the only national park in western Uganda with the Burchell’s Zebras and the Eland.
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Other mammal species found in Lake Mburo National Park include Giraffes, Buffaloes, Uganda kobs, Waterbucks, Hippos, Crocodiles, Leopards, Jackson Hartebeest, Warthogs. It’s home to 332 bird species and it’s probably the best place to view the Acacia associated birds which are well presented at Rwonyo in the lightly wooded grasslands valleys East of Lake Mburo. The Shoebill Stork is also among the bird species that can be spotted in Lake Mburo National Park. Other bird species present in the park include the Southern Ground Hornbill, Black Throated Barbet, Mosque Swallow, Brown Parrot, Red Necked Spur, Nubian Woodpecker, Bare faced Go-away Bird, Black Bellied Bustard, Ruppell’s Starling among others.
Things To Do While In The Park
- Game Drive
A network of game tracks through the park, a Game Drive gives you an opportunity to spot many mammal species such as the Burchell’s Zebras, Giraffes, Elands, Warthogs, Buffaloes, Hippos,Impalas, Leopards, among others.
- Boat Cruise on Lake Mburo
The Eastern shores of Lake Mburo can be explored by boat, departing from a jetty at the lakeside campsite near Rwonyo Rest Camp. It’s a two hour voyage and you will be able to watch out for crocodiles and Hippos. You can also sight a variety of birds including pelicans, herons and fish eagle and the rare fin foot and shoebill.
- Night Game Drives
Night Game Drives with a ranger guide provide the chance to see the nocturnal animals such as the bush babys, pottos and even the leopard.
- Birding
Prime areas for birding in Lake Mburo National Park include the Acacia woodland along the Acacia and Research Tracks. It’s home to 332 bird species and one of the best places to sight birds for the bird enthusiasts. Examples of bird species include Southern Ground Hornbill, Black Throated Barbet, Mosque Swallow, Brown Parrot, Red Necked Spur, Nubian Woodpecker, Bare faced Go-away Bird, Black Bellied Bustard, Ruppell’s Starling among others.
- Salt Lick Walk
Guided walks explore the park around Rwonyo culminating into a visit to a natural salt lake where wildlife can be viewed from a timber observation platform.
- Horseback Riding Safaris
Lake Mburo National Park is the only national park that conducts horse riding safaris around the park and this activity is operated by Mihingo Lodge.
- Mountain Biking
Explore Lake Mburo National Park and its surroundings on a mountain bike with the guide of a Ranger Guide in the park. You will ride around the park and you will see many wild animals such as the giraffes, antelopes, and zebras on the bike.
- Forest Walk
This small tract of forest on the western side of Lake Mburo is home to a variety of forest bird species and can be explored with a ranger guide.
Where to stay
Lake Mburo National Park has a wide range of Accommodation options ranging from luxury( high end) to mid range to budget lodges to make sure every traveller is catered for. Examples of the lodges in Lake Mburo National Park include;
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Kigambira Safari Lodge,Rwakobo Rock,Mihingo Lodge,Mpogo Safari Lodge,Arcadia Cottages,Rwonyo Rest Camp,Eagles Nest Lodge,Mantana Tented Camp,Lake Mburo Camp,Leopard Tail Rest Camp
- Best Time to visit Lake Mburo National Park
Anytime of the year one can visit the park though the best time for viewing the game is in the two dry seasons from June to August and from December to February because of the tracks being passable and not slippery. In the wet season in the months of March and April, September and October the tracks become impassable and slippery.
How To Get To The Park
Lake Mburo National Park is located in Kiruhura district. It lies between the towns of Masaka and Mbarara close to the main, South Westerly Road that links Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kabale and the Rwandan Border.
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The 228km drive from Kampala takes approximately 3.5 hours to 4 hours. The park can also be reached from Kibale National Park via Ibanda and Rushere, from Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishaka and Mbarara. Three Gates enter the park which are Kyanyanshara Gate which lies close to the Mihingo lodge, is 18km south of Akagate Trading Center which is 14km west of Lyantonde. The 9km dirt road leading to Nshara Gate turns South from the Main Road, 500m west of Akagate. The 13km dirt road to Sanga Gate leaves the main road at Sanga Trading centre, 13km from Akagate and 27kms from Lyantonde.