Horseback riding in Lake Mburo national park

Horseback riding in Lake Mburo national park : Lake Mburo National Park is a wonderful wildlife destination in Uganda and at a size of 290 kilometers it is the smallest national park in the country, the park is situated along the main highway to western 250 kilometers from Kampala the capital city. Lake Mburo National Park is a popular stopover to Bwindi impenetrable national park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park.

Lake Mburo National Park is the only national park in Uganda where you can spot the rare antelopes – the impalas and the second area where you can see the topi antelopes. Other wildlife species found in Lake Mburo National Park include Plains Zebras, Rothschild’s giraffes, Cape Buffaloes, Hippos, Nile crocodiles, Leopards, Spotted hyenas, Side-striped jackals, Impalas, Common Elands, Defassa Waterbucks, Bushbucks, Bohor reedbucks, Oribi, Sitatunga, Klipspringer, Warthogs, Bush pigs, White-tailed, Banded, Slender, and Dwarf Mongoose, Vervet monkeys, Olive baboons and Greater galago and more than 350 bird species

History of Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park was first gazette as a controlled hunting area in 1993 and in 1963 it was upgraded to a game drive and finally to a national park in 1983. The name of park is derived from a story about two brothers, Mburo and Kigarama who lived in the low-lying savannah plains, historically the region is known as Kaaro Karungi.

According to the legendary story, one-night Kigarama had a dream that they were going to have a lot of rain which would result into floods and destroy their properties and the area as well. Kigarama informed his brother about the dream but it was dismissed by Mburo, Kigarama decided to leave the area and resided at the overlooking hills leaving his brother behind.

The region was ravaged by rain resulting into floods and drowning of Mburo and his properties, thus the name Mburo and the hills were named Kigarama.

Horseback safaris/rides in Lake Mburo national park are operated by Mihingo Lodge which has a concession to run horseback safaris inside of the park, this eco-friendly experience is done under the guidance of trained staff in conjunction with the park’s ranger.

Horseback safaris in Lake Mburo National Park last for 1-3 hours while exploring the beautiful savannah landscape with close-up sightings of wildlife such as zebras, horseback riding in Lake Mburo national park can be done during day as well as overnight. In the night you will be amazed by the sounds of wildlife, for the night horse ride accommodations are offered to the participants in form of tents.

Horseback riding in Lake Mburo National Park is only sold by Mihingo Lodge, only to individuals staying at Mihingo Lodge while on their Lake Mburo Safari.

The more exhilarating horseback excursion in Lake Mburo National Park is a long horse ride which is recommended for more experienced riders, this excursion is 4 to 5 hours taking you through the grassy Warukiri ranges of hills situated in the middle of the park. From the top of the Warukiri ridge you are rewarded with stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding hills and valleys in the park. On the furthest point of the hill, you will find a waterhole where you will see buffaloes enjoying cool air and drinking water.

The landscape of Lake Mburo National Park is dotted with a chain of 12 lakes and during the horse ride you will see9 of them.

In addition to horseback riding, the are many other activities you can do in Lake Mburo National Park and these include

• Game drives
• Bird watching
• Guided nature walks
• Boat trips on Lake Mburo
• Sport fishing
• Cycling tours

Getting to Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park can be reached by and air transport means.

By road – the park is located in Mbarara district along the Kampala – Mbarara highway approximately 3.5-hour drive from Kampala City, from Mbarara, you take a turn left after 13 kilometers past Lyantonde and head to Sanga Gate. Both junctions are clearly labeled signpost to Lake Nakuru National Park. From Sanga Trading Center it is 13 kilometers to Sanga Gate and 5 kilometers from the main road to Nshara Gate and about 20 minutes drives from Rwonyo Park’s Head Quarters.

By Air – there are chartered and domestic flights from either Entebbe International Airport of Kajjansi Airstrip to Mbarara Airport then connect to the park by a vehicle. Flights to Lake Mburo National Park are operated by Bar Aviation and AeroLink.

Where to stay in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park has some of the best and affordable safari accommodations categorized as budget, midrange and luxury. These accommodations include

• Mihingo Lodge
• Mburo Safari Lodge
• Rwakobo Rock Lodge
• Arcadia Lodge
• Mpogo Safari Lodge
• Eagles Nest Mburo
• Leopard Rest Camp
• Rwonyo Rest Camp among others.