Boat Cruise Safari at Lake Mburo National Park

Boat Cruise Safari at Lake Mburo National Park : Lake Mburo National Park is the nearest Uganda safari destination/ national park close to the capital city Kampala, the park is the smallest savannah park in Uganda at a size of 370 square kilometers. Lake Mburo comprises of the greatest acacia woodland found in any park in Uganda and is dotted with 13 lakes which are part of a 50 kilometers long wetland system like a swamp, Five of the lakes are found inside the park with Lake Mburo being the largest one.

Lake Mburo National Park is located in western Uganda approximately 240 kilometers from Kampala and stretches through 4 districts of Mbarara, Lyantonde, Isingiro North and Kiruhura.

Lake Mburo National Park is a spectacular Uganda wildlife safari destination as it is the only safari park in Uganda where you can see impalas and the largest population of Zebras, the park is home for 68 species of mammals and over 350 species of birds. Wildlife found in the park include Elands, Giraffes, Topis, Oribis, Reedbucks, Warthogs, Hyenas, Klipspringer, Bush pigs, White-tailed, Banded, Slender, and Dwarf Mongoose, Vervet monkeys, Olive baboons, Greater galago, Leopards and cape buffaloes.

Birds found in Lake Mburo National Park include Arrow-marked Babler, Emerald-spotted Wood-dove, Brown Parrot, Barefaced Go-away-bird, Blue-napped and Speckled Mousebird, Lilac-breasted and Broad-billed Rollers, Green Wood-hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Northern Black Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Greater Blue-eared Starling, Marico sunbird among others.

Boat Cruise excursions in Lake Mburo National Park are operated by Uganda Wildlife Authority on a regular lasting for 2 hours and done the western side of Lake Mburo. boat excursions start from 08:00 am subject to demand and sets off from Rwonyo Jetty.

The cruise takes you on a soothing exploration ride along the western banks of Lake Mburo enjoying sightings of Nile crocodiles, African buffalo, hippos and many antelope species like the Bohor reedbuck, duiker, klipspringer, oribi and topi.

For birder, boat cruise on Lake Mburo is the perfect Uganda safari excursion to do as it provides you will excellent sightings of waterbirds like like the African fish eagle, jacana, kingfisher, cormorant, pelican, herons, Narina trogon, Ross’s turaco, African green-pigeon, the bare-faced go-away-bird, papyrus gonolek, and the blue-headed coucal.and the very rare shoebill stork thrilling the swampy areas.

How much is the boat cruise on Lake Mburo?

Boat cruise in Lake Mburo National Park lasts for 2 hours, this thrilling excursion is done in a small boat carrying 4-8 people costing US$ 20 per person for foreigners and UGX 30,000 per person for nationals and East African Community Citizens.

There is also a bigger boat costing US$ 30 per person

Note: Price of boat cruise at Lake Mburo National Park is subject to capacity. 

 Best time for boat cruise at Lake Mburo National Park

The best time of the day to do a boat cruise in Lake Mburo National Park is mid – morning cruise and evening cruise, however you can do the boat cruise at any time of the year except during heavy rainfall period.

Generally, the best time to do boat cruise On Lake Mburo is during Dry season from June to Septeber and December to February every year, this is the great time to see animals as they congregate around the shores of the lake to drink water and many birds.

What you need to know before boat cruise on Lake Mburo

• Boat cruise on Lake Mburo takes between 2-3 hours for a round trip
• Boat cruises are done in either small or big boats so the boat to be used depends on the number of passengers available for the excursion
• Advance booking is required
• Boat excursion in Lake Mburo is conducted in the morning, mid-morning and in the evening
• In case the number of passengers is few, the clients will pay for the maximum number for the board to depart.

How to get to Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park can be accessed by either road or Air depending on the choice of the traveler as well as their budget.

By Road: Lake Mburo National Park is approximately 3-4 hours’ drive from either Kampala or Entebbe and it can be accessed from various entry and exit gates which include Kyanyashara Gate linking to Mihingo Lodge , Akagate Gate and Sanga Gate leading to Rwakobo Rock Lodge.

By Air: There are domestic and chartered flights from Kajjansi Airstrip and Entebbe International Airport to Mbarara Airstrip then connect to Lake Mburo national park by road on a drive of 45 minutes.

Where to stay in Lake Mburo National Park

In Lake Mburo National Park, there is a variety of accommodation options to choose from during your safari, these accommodations range from luxury, midrange to budget lodges and the choice of the traveler depend on their budget. These accommodations include

• Emburara Lodge
• Mihingo Safari Lodge
• Montana Luxury Tented Camp
• Arcadia Llodge
• Mihingo Safari Lodge
• Lake Mburo Safari Lodge among others.