Complete Guide to Lake Mburo National Park safaris : Lake Mburo National Park is located in the western part of Uganda in a district called Kiruhura which is next to Mbarara district. Lake Mburo was originally gazetted in 1933 and covers area covering 260 sq km hence making it the smallest Savannah Park in Uganda. This park is consisting of flat grasslands, rolling hills, forests, bush thickets, rocky outcrops, Lakes and swamps. This park is home to some of the unique and rare wildlife species such as Eland, Klipspringer, Impala, plain Zebra. More so, the park is over 315 bird species, making it one of Uganda’s best birdwatching locations. The park is renowned for acacia-associated birds, with some of the best viewing areas found around Rwonyo.
Attractions in Lake Mburo National Park
Animals
Lake Mburo National Park is home to over 68 different types of mammals, making it a unique place in Uganda. It’s the only park where you can find elands, impalas, plain zebras, and klipspringers. Other interesting animals in the park include, buffaloes, warthogs, leopards, bushbucks, jackals, topis, giraffes, hyenas, waterbucks, crocodiles, hippos, oribi and many more. While leopards are mostly seen at night, lions and elephants can roam freely throughout the park at any time.
Birdlife
Lake Mburo is one of the best destinations for birdwatching tours in Uganda. Birding in Lake Mburo is mainly done along the swamps of Warukiri and Miriti. Some of the bird found here includes shoebill stork, African grey hornbill, barefaced go-way bird, black-billed barbet, blue-napped mousebird, brown parrot, common quails, crested francolin, emerald spotted wood Dove, greenwood hoopoe, Lilac-breasted Roller, Nubian woodpecker, Red necked Spur, trilling cisticola and white-winged warbler among others.
Unique safari activities to do in Lake Mburo National Park
Game drives
Game drives are a unique and main activity in Lake Mburo National Park, offering a chance to discover the park’s rich wildlife while riding in a comfortable safari vehicle led by a skilled guide. These guided tours usually take place in the early morning or late afternoon when the animals are most lively. There are also special night drives that let you see animals that come out after dark, like leopards.
During a day game drive, you might spot animals such as buffalo, eland, hippos, impala, jackals, leopards, oribi, reedbuck, topi, warthog, waterbucks, zebras, hippos. you might also have an opportunity to sight different bird species such as brown parrot, common quails, crested francolin, emerald spotted wood Dove, greenwood hoopoe, Lilac-breasted Roller, Nubian woodpecker, Red necked Spur, trilling cisticola and more. The park boasts a network of well-kept roads that provide excellent wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.
Birdwatching
Lake Mburo national park is a top spot for birdwatching in Uganda boasting over 350 different bird species. The best places to see birds here are the swamps of Warukiri and Miriti. During your birdwatching tours, you’ll have the chance to spot various species, including crested crane, crested francolin, long tailed cisticola, Nubian woodpecker, white winged swamp warbler, hairy breasted barbet, emerald spotted wood- dove, African fish eagle, African grey hornbill, barefaced go-way bird, black-billed barbet, blue-napped mousebird, brown parrot, common quails, crested francolin, greenwood hoopoe, Lilac-breasted Roller, Nubian woodpecker and Red necked Spur among others. These birds can be even spotted during a boat ride, and guided nature walks as well.
Guided nature walks
Guided nature walks at Lake Mburo National Park are an enjoyable experience that allows you to explore the park while learning about its smaller inhabitants. You’re accompanied by a friendly park ranger and an experienced guide who will help you discover different trails. One popular path takes you to Kazuma Hill, where you can enjoy a stunning view of the park and its nearby lakes. Another trail leads to the Miriti swampy lowlands, where you can spot many different species of birds. There’s also a trail to the salt lick, where you can observe animals that come to enjoy the salty minerals.
During a guided nature walk, you’ll have the chance to see various animals up close, including antelopes, Zebras, buffaloes and giraffes grazing. You’ll also sights stunning butterflies and colorful birds too. During the morning walks, you might even encounter hyenas going to their dens after the nights hunt or hippos heading to the water after grazing on land.
Fishing
Another tourist activity in Lake Mburo National Park is sport fishing. Fishing in the park can be one in Mazinga and various lakes provides great chances to catch fish such as Tilapia, Haplochromes, mudfish, and lungfish. The Mazinga fishing area is a safe part of Lake Mburo, free from crocodiles and hippos. Visitors can enjoy sport fishing and can even find someone to help fry their catch back at their lodge. There are shaded spots by the fishing areas, perfect for relaxing between fishing sessions.
Boat trips
Taking a boat cruise in Lake Mburo National Park is also a fun adventure. The park is surrounded by five lakes, and you can enjoy boat rides on each of them. The cruises depart at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Each boat trip lasts for three hours and more rewarding during the dry season when most of the animals come for a drink. During the boat trip, you’ll have a great chance to spot various aquatic animals’ crocodiles, hippos, zebras, antelopes, otters and buffaloes. The commonest birds during the boat trip include African Fish Eagles, Blue-headed Weavers, Cormorants, Green-necked Doves, Hamerkops, Herons, Malachite Kingfishers, Pelicans, Pied Kingfishers, Rufous Long-tailed Starlings and Shoebill Storks. The duration of the boat cruise is not fixed and is open to negotiation. Usually, the boat trips in the park begin at the Rwonyo jetty.
Horseback riding
Horseback riding at Lake Mburo National Park is a thrilling experience. It allows you to explore the park while seeing and getting close to many different animals. As you ride through the open savannah, you might encounter buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, topis, bushbucks, waterbucks, duikers, and a variety of other creatures. Additionally, you could also catch sight of interesting bird species like the red-chested barbet, African fish eagle, African finfoot, red-chested warbler, and Nubian woodpecker, among others.
Visiting the Igongo Cultural Center
Visiting the Igongo Cultural Center is a great experience, located just 4 kilometers from the Sanga gate. This center is a place where the Banyakitara people proudly display their cultural heritage and traditions, which include the Bakiga, Banyoro, Batooro, and Banyankole tribes. Inside, there’s a small museum that features local arts and crafts, as well as items that highlight their ancient customs. When you visit, you can learn about the tribes’ histories and lifestyles with the help of friendly guides. You’ll also see traditional grass huts and have the chance to taste local food. Visitors can buy souvenirs like locally made crafts and other art pieces.
What is the ideal time to visit Lake Mburo National Park
The ideal time to visit Lake Mburo National Park is throughout the entire year. However, if you want to see a lot of animals in the open valleys, the wet seasons from March to May and September to November are the best. On the other hand, if you’re interested in spotting animals that are more likely to be near water, plan your trip during the dry season from June to August and December to February.
Where to stay while on a safari in Lake Mburo National Park
There is a variety of accommodations for you on your safari in Lake Mburo National Park. These accommodations ranges from luxury, mid-range to budget level accommodations. These includes Mantana tented camp, The Arcadia Cottages, Rwonyo Rest camp, Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Eagle’s Nest Lodge, Mihingo lodge and Rwakobo Rock among others.
