This is the second smallest National Park in Uganda and the closest from Kampala, the Capital of Uganda. The park is situated in Mbarara district, covering an area of 260 square kilometers.
It is at an altitude range from of 1220m to 1828m above sea level and was named after the lake which lies in this territory, Lake Mburo. Wetland habitats of the Park, including Lake Mburo and other 4 small lakes comprise 20% of its area.
Map of Lake Mburo National Park
What to see in the Park
This little park hosts a variety of animals, with up to 68 mammal species, including a large number of impalas and other antelopes, Uganda Kobs, zebras, Ankole cattle, buffaloes, topis, leopards, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, warthogs, oribi, bushbucks, duikers. Besides Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo is the only other Ugandan park to inhabit the gigantic elands, also of the antelope family.
Despite the small size of the park, it hosts a number of birds of up to 332 species making it an ideal destination for bird watchers.
What to do?
There is a lot to do in Lake Mburo, since it offers novel means of game viewing; in a vehicle, on a mountain bike, by boat, on foot and on horseback.
Boat Cruise
The famous boat cruise on Lake Mburo takes you to see crocodiles, hippos, cormorants, fish eagle, pelicans, herons and many birds’ species along the river banks. The fringing swamps of the park hide the secretive wetland creatures such as the Sitatunga antelopes.
Game Watching
Game drives along the Park enables one to see animals such as the Impala that are found in no other park in Uganda, Burchell’s Zebras, and elands among others. In 2015, a number of Rthschild giraffes were relocated to the park from Murchison Falls National Park, expanding its wildlife variety. Lions, hyenas and lions are also claimed to be present after years of absence.
Night Game drives are also possible in the park with a guide to provide a chance to see nocturnal animals such as the bush babies, pottos and perhaps even a leopard.
Nature walks and Bird watching
Foot safaris enables one to spot a number of amazing wildlife as well as birds including red faced barbet, crested crane among others.
The bird list of the park also includes the swamp specials such as the papyrus gonolek, papyrus yellow warbler, white winged warbler and the shoe bill stork.
Communities and cultural Visits;
You can explore more of the way of life and culture of the local people around the park on cultural and community visits. Sites like the Igongo cultural centre also provide good stopover to tourists.
Salt Lick Walk
On a guided walk with a ranger guide, you can visit the natural salt lake around the Rwonyo region of the park. From here, you can also view more wildlife from a timber observation platform.
How to get there?
Lake Mburo National Park lies between the towns of Masaka and Mbarara in western Uganda, 228km from Kampala. This is about 3½ hrs drive. Two gates enter the park from the Mbarara road. Approaching from Kampala, the turning to Nshara gate is 13kms past Lyantonde.
The junction for Sanga gate is at Sanga trading centre, 27kms past Lyantonde. Both junctions are clearly signposted. It is about 20 minutes’ drive from either gate to Rwonyo.
Where to Sleep
There are several accommodation facilities for visitors to Lake Mburo National Park ranging from budget, mid-range to up-market.
- Mihingo lodge, Mantana camp – Luxury
- Mburo safari lodge, Rwakobo rock lodge, Arcadia cottages – Mid-range
- Rwonyo rest camp – Budget
The park also has a conservation education center that provides accommodation and an education hall for school groups, visitors, seminars and workshops.
People
The Banyakore tribe are the dominant tribe around the park, who are traditionally cattle keepers and cultivator. They are divided into two; The Bairu as the cultivators and the Bahima as herders.
Climate
The park lies in the rain shadow between Lake Victoria to the East and the Rwenzori mountains to the west, receiving an average of 800mm of rain per year. Being near the equator, rainfall distribution pattern is by modal and unpredictable with long rains occurring from February to June and short rains from September to December. However, it tends to be heaviest in the months of April and November.