Lake Mburo national park is one of the smallest national parks in Uganda located in the western region. It covers an area of approximately 370 square kilometers and is situated between the towns of Masaka and Mbarara. The park is named after Lake Mburo, which is one of the main attractions within the park.
The National Park is a diverse and scenic destination in Uganda with varied wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and range of activities; it offers visitors a unique and memorable safari experience.
Lake Mburo national park was established in 1983 and is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It was created with the aim of conserving the biodiversity of the area and protecting its unique ecosystems. Lake Mburo National Park is known for its rich wildlife, including over 350 bird species and a variety of mammals.
What to do and see in Lake Mburo national park
Lake Mburo National Park offers a range of other activities for visitors to enjoy such as Game drives, boat safaris on Lake Mburo, bird watching, guided nature walks, community tours among others;
Game drives
One of the highlights of visiting Lake Mburo National Park is the opportunity to go on game drives. These drives allow visitors to explore the park’s diverse landscapes and encounter its wildlife up close.
Some of the animals that can be seen during game drives around Lake Mburo national park include zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, hippos among others. 4×4 safari vehicles are used during these game drives which can be done in the morning and in the afternoon.
Boat rides on Lake Mburo
Another popular activity in Lake Mburo National Park is boat safaris on Lake Mburo. These boat rides provide a unique perspective of the park’s wildlife and offer opportunities for bird watching.
Boat rides in Lake Mburo National Park take about 2 hours and the best time to engage in a boat ride is either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when wildlife is most active.
Some of the commonly sighted animals during boat rides on Lake Mburo include hippos, crocodiles, buffalos, waterbucks, zebras, and various bird species such as African fish eagles, herons, cormorants, and kingfishers can also be seen.
Bird watching
Lake Mburo National Park offers excellent opportunities for bird watching, with numerous bird species that can be observed throughout the year.
Visitors can spot various bird species during safaris around Lake Mburo national park such as African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, African finfoot, Grey crowned crane, Crested Francolins among others.
Guided nature walks
For those interested in experiencing nature on foot, guided nature walks are available in Lake Mburo National Park.
These nature walks allow visitors to explore the park’s diverse habitats on foot while accompanied by an experienced guide. It is an excellent way to observe smaller wildlife species and learn about the park’s flora and fauna.
Horseback riding
Horse riding in Lake Mburo National Park allows visitors to have a closer and more intimate experience with nature while enjoying the thrill of riding.
The activity allows visitors to cover larger areas of Lake Mburo national park while still being able to observe wildlife up close such as zebras, impalas, elands, buffalos, warthogs, among others.
The horse rides take place through the grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands in Lake Mburo national park and provides an excellent opportunity to spot the animals in their natural habitat.
Community tours
Community tours around Lake Mburo national park offer visitors a chance to engage with local communities and learn about their way of life.
The activity also provides visitors with an authentic experience of rural Ugandan life which take place in nearby villages, where visitors can interact with locals, learn about their customs and traditions.
Attractions around Lake Mburo national park
Some of the attractions which can be seen during tours around Lake Mburo national park include the following;
Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo is a shallow surrounded by a diverse ecosystem that includes open savannahs, woodlands, and wetlands. The national park is also named after this lake.
The lake itself is home to several species of fish, including tilapia and lungfish and serves as a watering hole for various wildlife species.
Wildlife species
There are various wildlife species which are found around Lake Mburo national park and they include impalas, zebras, elands, buffalos, giraffes, hyenas, warthogs among others.
The varied habitats around Lake Mburo national park including grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands provide habitat that supports a wide range of wildlife species.
Bird species
Lake Mburo National Park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 350 bird species recorded within its boundaries. Some notable bird species include the African fish eagle, African finfoot, pied kingfisher among others.
Park entrance fees for Lake Mburo national park
The entrance fees for Lake Mburo National Park vary depending on the nationality and residency status of the visitor.
- Foreign non-residents are charged the entrance fee of $40 per person per day.
- Foreign residents are charged entrance fee of $30 per person per day
- East African citizens pay an entrance fee of 20,000 UGX to visit the national park
- Children are charged 20 USD for foreign nonresidents, 10 USD for foreign residents and 5,000 UGX for East Africans to visit Lake Mburo national park. Children below the age of 5 years are not charged park fees during Uganda safaris.
Best time to visit Lake Mburo national park
The best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park is during the dry season, which typically runs from June to August and December to February. The dry season offers excellent game viewing opportunities as animals tend to gather around water sources, making them easier to spot.
However, visiting during the wet season occurs from March to May and September to November can also provide unique experiences with lush landscapes and an abundance of wildlife.
How to get to Lake Mburo national park
Lake Mburo national park is the closest national park to Kampala city and the drive takes about 4 hours using the Kampala-Masaka route.
Lodges around Lake Mburo national park
In terms of accommodation, Lake Mburo National Park offers a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences including luxury, midrange and budget as well as camping options.
Some of the lodges found around Lake Mburo national park include Mihingo lodge, Arcadia lodge Mburo, Kigambira safari lodge, Eagles nest lodge, Mburo safari lodge among others.