Lake Mburo National Park

Home / Destinations / Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park

Elevation: (1219m-1828m)

Size: 260km Sq.

Location

Lake Mburo National Park is a driving distance of about 4 hrs. from Kampala city and is located in Western Uganda between Masaka and Mbarara cities along the highway that connects Kampala to the national parks of Western Uganda.

Lake Mburo National Park

Vegetation of Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park has a generally varied fauna in comparison to other wildlife reserves and is covered with different species of acacia woodland, it is also composed of a Savannah vegetation and has a gently undulating terrain covering about 260km sq. which encompasses a couple of Swamps that support a diversity of bird species.

Most tourists interested in a safari to Uganda usually visit this park en route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or for a short one-day tour while having a short stay in Uganda.

The Weather In Lake Mburo NP

The Rains in the park are somehow unreliable and unforeseen; it tends to rain in April as well as November and early December while the hottest months are July and August another point to note is that Lake Mburo National Park is situated in a rain shadow area between Lake Victoria and the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, and on average receives just 800mm of rainfall every year.

The park is found at an altitude between 1219 meters and 1828 meters above sea level.

The history of Lake Mburo National Park

There is a legend of 2 brothers, Mburo plus Kigarama who stayed in a huge valley. Kigarama daydreamed that both of them were in danger, so the following morning, he informed Mburo his younger brother of his dream and advised Mburo that they should relocate to another place.

Lake Mburo National Park

Mburo turned down this advice, but Kigarama wisely shifted higher into the hills. Sadly the valley flooded, and a lake that drowned Mburo was formed and named after Mburo, while the hills that adjusted to the lake were named after Kigarama the older brother.

Mburo is a word similar to “Mboro”, a Runyankole name of a cassine tree that has a strong aphrodisiac effect. One of these trees, showing indications of bark plus branch removal, might be seen near the Kigambira Loop crossroads.

Things to Do at Lake Mburo National Park:

Game drives:

Discover the wonders of Lake Mburo National Park on a game-drive adventure. With a network of tracks to explore, each drive offers a unique experience, influenced by the time of year and the park’s evolving landscape.

you’ll pass open savannah and acacia woodland, rock kopjes, seasonal and permanent swamps, and open water, as you search for the wealth of wildlife they support. While elephant sightings are rare, you’ll have a great chance of spotting:

– Impala
– Zebra
– Waterbuck
– Topi
– Buffalo

Giraffes are often seen from the Kazuma and Ruroko tracks. Keep an eye out for the elusive eland, with a growing population of over 100.

Take your experience to the next level with a 2-3 hour night game drive, starting at 6:30 pm. This is your chance to see:

– Nocturnal animals like bushbabies and potto
– Leopards and hyenas at their most active

Embrace the thrill of exploring the park in darkness and uncover its hidden secrets.”

Boat Cruise in Lake Mburo:

Lake Mburo National Park

Because you may not be able to see all the animals during the game drives, there is a boat ride that could offer better game views of animals like crocodiles, a school of hippos, and even birds including fish eagles, pelicans, cormorants, Black crake and Heron.

The duration of this boat ride is usually 2 hours however negotiable.

Guided walks:

You can enjoy nature walks led by armed parked rangers and guides with the trail that goes through the small but dense Rubanga Forest.

A well-positioned wooden Observation platform allows you to view at least four different animal species each time as they lick at the salty soil. Fortunately, you will enjoy all this without the animals noticing your presence.

Horse Riding

Explore Lake Mburo National Park on horseback, a one-of-a-kind experience in Uganda. Mihingo Lodge’s stable offers guided horse rides for all ages and skill levels, allowing you to immerse yourself in the wilderness like never before. Observe how buffalo and zebra behave differently towards a human on horseback, making for a fascinating wildlife encounter. Choose from various ride options, ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours, tailored to your budget. Enhance your experience with:

– Hill-top sundowners
– Bush breakfasts

Embark on a memorable horseback adventure in Lake Mburo National Park!

Bird watching in Lake Mburo NP.

First-timers to Lake Mburo will certainly be fascinated by the great diversity of birds which are approximately 313 different species among which is the crested crane found on the national emblem of Uganda, the beautiful Pink-backed pelican, the Greater Cormorant, the African Darter, the White-winged black tern, White pelican, Long-tailed cormorant, and Yellow-billed duck, many of which can be viewed in Rubanga Forest plus the papyrus swamps.

Fishing in Lake Mburo NP

There are 5 lakes in the National Park from which you can engage in sport fishing where you can catch approximately 6 different fish species with tilapia being the commonest of all and other fish species. Please remember to bring along your fishing gear for this fascinating activity.