Lake Mburo national park

Lake Mburo national park is among the recently established national parks in Uganda located in the in the western Uganda in Mbarara district, this park is situated close to Kampala the capital city of Uganda lieing in a distance of 240 kilometers in a drive of about 3-4 hours. Lake Mburo national park is the smallest national park in Uganda stretching over an area of 370 kilometers which is dominated by a chain of 14 lakes with lake Mburo as the biggest lake, savannah plains, Rocky Ridges and forested gorges, narrow bands of lush, riparian woodland, rolling hills and valleys.

Lake Mburo national park owes its origin to a legendary story of 2 brothers Mburo and Kigarama who resided in the low- lying savannah plains of the area locally known as Kaaro Karungi, one fateful night kigarama had a dream where the area flooded from too much rainfall which led to destruction of their properties. Kigarama narrated the dream to his brother Mburo who took the dream for granted, as per African beliefs dreams are very respected as they manifest the future. As a result of the dream, kigarama left the area and migrated to the hills while Mburo remained.

The following day, the dream came true as the whole area was flooded as a result of too much rain, the floods destroyed everything and drown Mburo causing his death. After Mburo’s death, the hills around the area where they lived were named Mburo in his honor.

Lake Mburo national park was first gazetted as a controlled hunting area in 1993, in 1963 it was upgraded to a national reserve and in 1983 it was upgraded to a national park, the area today occupies by Lake Mburo national park was the Bahima (banyakole pastoralists) who also carried out grazing in the area. The gazetting of the area meant that these people had to leave both their residential area and grazing area for the cattle and livestock, this decision was seen as a punishment by the Obote regime to Banyokole who were believed to be anti- Obote rebels. The people who were evacuated from the area were unfortunately not compensated or even offered resettlement which caused protests against the formation of the park, as result the area around the park was divided into small pieces to accommodate peopled and their livestock.

Lake Mburo national park is a great habitat for wildlife habiting 68 mammal species, the park hosts no lions or elephants which gives animals in the park to move freely and multiple easily. Lake Mburo national park is apparently the only national park in Uganda habiting elands, impala and klipspringers, the park also inhabits the largest concentration of zebras in Uganda with over 5000 individuals and a highest concentration of leopards believed to be found nowhere else. Animals found in Lake Mburo national park include zebra, impala, topi, eland, bush buck, buffalo, warthog, leopard, hyena and jackal and many more.

Lake Mburo national park is a home to over 315 bird species inhabiting in the woody vegetation, swamps and patches of forests in the park, birds in Lake Mburo national park include the rare shoebill stork, other birds include papyrus yellow warbler, African fin foot, saddle billed stork, brown chested-wattled plover, Carruthers’s cisticola, tabora cisticola, great snipe, Abyssinian ground hornbill, African fish eagle, saddle billed stork, white winged warbler and many more.

Safari activities to do in Lake Mburo national park

Game drives

Lake Mburo national park is endowed a variety of wildlife species including a large population of zebras and leopards and it is the only home to impalas which make game viewing an exciting and entertaining experience. On top of a variety of animals, the park is composed of alluring sceneries such as rolling hills, valleys and lake which are sewn on game drive. Game drives are done on a 4X4 wheel car with open side widows and popup roof to give you views of the animals, two sessions of game drives are offered in Lake Mburo national park that is day game drive and night game drive for sights of nocturnal animals such as leopards, bush babies and porcupines. Animals sighted during game drive in this park include zebras, leopards, impalas, buffaloes, crocodiles, warthogs and many more.

Bird watching

Lake Mburo national park is very rewarding birding destination for birders, the park is a home to a huge population of bird species with over 135 bird species including water and forest bird species. Lake Mburo national park comprises of various birding site such salt licks area, Rwonyo camp, Lubanga forest, swampy valleys of Mariti and at the road sides. Some of the most not best for spotting birds. Bird watching offers an opportunity for spotting bird species such as  coqui Francolin, emerald spotted wood, rufous bellied heron, crowned cranes, bare faced go away birds, ross turaco, white headed barbet, Nubian wood pecker, white parrot, red-shouldered tit, black bellied bustard, yellow breasted apalis, long- tailed cisticola, king fisher, African fish eagles and so many more.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is a unique way of touring Lake Mburo national park done on a back of a horse, horseback riding in Lake Mburo national park is conducted by Mihingo lodge where horses to ride on this experience are offered. Horseback riding offers 1-3 hours of riding through the savannah plains of the park, this experience offers an opportunity of getting close views of the animals such as zebras, antelopes, giraffes, warthogs and many more from the back  of your horse you will be amazed by sights of rolling hills as you tide through the park, birds and views of the lakes crowded by animals which come to drink water. night horseback riding is also offered in Lake Mburo national park by Mihingo lodge.

Boat cruise

Boat cruise is a very rewarding safari experience in Lake Mburo national park done on Lake Mburo boat cruise on the calm waters of Lake Mburo offers amazing views of animals crowding the shores of the lake such as  crocodiles,  hippos, buffaloes, antelopes  and  bird species such as African fish eagles, pelican, king fishers, herons, cormorants, rare shoe bills and hammer kobs.

Guided nature walk

Guided nature walk is a fascinating activity offering an encounter with nature, this experience is done on foot on numerous trails running through the plains of Lake Mburo national park. This experience is conducted with a ranger guide, guide nature walk is done on trails such as one trail starting from Rwonyo park center. This trail leads to the Salk lick where you will spot many animals such as zebras, impalas, topi and many birds, another trail is a 2 hours’ walk running through the western part of Lake Mburo and offers sights of hippos paying in the pool of water and hyenas. Another nature walk trail runs through the forest patches of the park, savannah grasslands where you are to spot many animals and leads to the top of the hills on hike where scenic views of the park’s lakes and sections of the park are got.

Sport fishing

Sport fishing is an active safari experience carried out in one of the Lakes dotted around the park, lake Mburo national park consists of 14 lakes with 5 big lakes and Lake Mburo is the biggest of them all. Sport fishing in Lake Mburo national park is majorly carried out on Lake Mburo, there are many fish species inhabiting in lake Mburo and caught on sport fishing experience, these include Mazinga the most common fish caught in the lake, tilapia, cat fish, lung fish, Angara fish and barbell.

Best time to visit Lake Mburo national park for a safari

Game viewing is the main activity done in Lake Mburo national park though there are other amazing safari experiences offered in the park such as horseback riding, boat rides and many more. The best recommended time to go to Lake Mburo national park for a safari is in the dry season experienced in the months of June to September and December to February, in the period routes leading to the park are dry and many animals are seen gathering at the lakes to drink water.

How to get to lake Mburo national park

Lake Mburo national park is the closet protected are/national park situated close to Kampala the capital city of Uganda, the park is located in a distance of 240 kilometers from Kampala and about 30 kilometers from Mbarara the most developed city in Western Uganda. From Kampala Lake Mburo national park is accessed using Kampala -Mbarara route via Masaka.

Where to stay in Lake Mburo national park

Accommodation in Lake Mburo national park is offered from lodges and camps such as Mihingo lodge, Matana Luxury Tented camp, Rwakoba Rock lodge, Eagle’s Nest Lodge, Arcadia Cottages, Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Rwonyo Rest Camp, Mazinga Camp site and many more