Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is a compact gem, located conveniently close to the highway that connects Kampala to the Parks of Western Uganda. It is the smallest of Uganda’s Savannah National Parks and underlain by ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which date back more than 500 million years.
It is home to 350 bird species as well as Zebra, Impala, Eland, Buffalo, Oribi, Defassa Waterbuck, Leopard, Hippo, Hyena, Topi and Reedbuck.
Together with 13 other Lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a Swamp. Five of these Lakes lie within the Park’s borders. Once covered by open Savanna, Lake Mburo National Park now contains much Woodland as there are no Elephants to tame the Vegetation. In the Western part of the Park, the Savanna is interspersed with rocky ridges and Forested gorges while patches of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line many lakes.
Size: 370km2
Altitude: 1,220m – 1,828m above sea level
Wetland habitats comprise 20% of the park’s surface
The Parks’ precarious past has seen wildlife virtually eliminated several times: firstly in various attempts to rid the region of tsetse flies, then to make way for ranches, and finally as a result of subsistence poaching.
20% of the park’s entrance fee is used to fund local community projects such as building clinics and schools
When to Visit Mburo & Where to Stay
Tourists can visit the park any time throughout the year, although conditions in the park are more difficult during the rainy season. Available tourist accommodation includes lodges notably Mihingo Lodge, Mantana Tented Camp, Arcadia Cottages, Rwakobo Rock, Mburo Safari Lodge, Mpogo Lodge, Eagle’s Nest Lodge, Rwonyo Camp Site, and many other options in the nearby towns of Mbarara and Lyantonde. The Park is well situated on the Kampala – Mbarara highway and is a great stop over while connecting to the attractions of the further western part of Uganda.
Activities
Activities in Lake Mburo National Park include; Game drives in the rolling hills and open grasslands, Boat trip along Lake Mburo, Nature walk, sport fishing, Forest walk in Rubanga which offers an opportunity to view different bird species, as well as adventure activities like horseback riding and quad biking. Seek advice from your local Uganda safari operator on how best you can access the park and also how best to book a particular activity for some of these activities require prior booking.