Lake Mburo National Park 2025-2026
Lake Mburo National Park 2025-2026
Lake Mburo National Park is located in Kiruhura District in western Uganda. The national park covers an area of about 260 square kilometers, making it the smallest of Uganda’s Savannah national parks. Lake Mburo was originally gazetted in 1933 as a controlled hunting area and upgraded to a game reserve in 1963. This park encompasses rolling hillsides, rocky outcrops, open and wooded grassland, rich acacia tree valleys, forests, bushes, and thicket, together with permanent and seasonal swamps along the shores of the Lakes
The park has a variety of animals such as the newly introduced giraffes, zebras, impalas, buffaloes, topis, serval, elands, eland genets, hyenas, leopards. The park is also home to over 315 different bird species and some of which are not found elsewhere in Uganda. The species in this park include: Abyssinian ground hornbill, saddle-billed stork, African fish eagle, rufous-billed heron, white-winged warbler, great spipe, red papyrus gonolek, among others. More so, this park is surrounded by exciting tribes such as Banyankole, which is famously known for rearing long-horned cattle known as Ankole cattle.
Best Activities to Enjoy in Lake Mburo National Park (2025-2026)
Guided Game Drives
One of the best ways to see wildlife in Lake Mburo National Park is through guided game drives. These tours give you a chance to explore the park’s stunning landscapes while learning about the animals that call it home. Guided game drives in Lake Mburo National Park can be best early in the morning and at night, when the animals are still very active. While on a day game drive, this will allow you to see various savannah animals and birds, including Giraffes, Zebras, Elands, Topis, Impalas, elephants, and several antelopes roaming in their natural environment. Hippos and large crocodiles are also along the shores of the lake, basking in the sun. A night Game drive in the park also offers you the opportunity to see nocturnal animals such as bushbabies, pottos, and, depending on luck, a leopard, though this is very rare.
Nature Walks
Exploring Lake Mburo National Park on foot is a unique way to experience its beauty. Nature walks take you through diverse habitats, where you can see plants, insects, and smaller animals up close. The park has wide walking paths where you can choose to embark on this thrilling activity, such as along the Rwonyo. Here a guided walks will take you to the salt lick area. Here you can see animals such as Buchell’s Zebras, Buffaloes, and many antelopes, as well as hippos rushing back to the Lake after their early morning grazing activity. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, you’ll learn to identify tracks and signs left by animals. These exciting nature walks in this park take you about 2 – 3 hours, depending on your preferred section.
Birdwatching
Lake Mburo National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers. With over 300 species of birds, including some rare and unique varieties, it is one of the great places to go for birding in Uganda. The park’s landscape includes acacia, savanna grassland, woodland, and aquatic associates, which act as habitat for a variety of these colorful bird species. While on your birdwatching tour, you will be granted with the sight of different birds such as Abyssinian ground hornbill, saddle billed stork, African fish eagle, rufous-billed heron, white wingled warbler, great spipe, red papyrus gonolek, Africa finfoot, red-faced barbet, Tabora cisticola, black bellied bustard, brown chested wattled plover, emerald spotted wood, carruther’s cisticola, grey crown crane, papyrus yellow warbler, bare faced go away bird, cocui francolin among others.
Boat Cruises
One of the most delightful activities in Lake Mburo National Park is taking a boat cruise on the serene waters of the lake. This leisurely experience allows you to enjoy stunning views while spotting wildlife along the shores. Boat cruises in this park are conducted in sections, the morning, mid-morning, and evening cruises, all offer the best Uganda safaris. While on a boat cruise trip, you will have the chance to spot a variety of interesting wildlife species such as hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, Zebras, warthogs, and buffalo, among others. You’ll also have the chance to see a variety of water birds at the shores of the Lake, such as cormorant, fish eagle, pelican, heron, kingfishers, African Fish Eagles, among others.
Horseback riding
The park is the only national park in Uganda offering a horseback riding activity to tourists. The activity will enable you to closely encounter nature. The ride offers a unique, fabulous adventure in the savannah plains and other game track trails of Lake Mburo National Park. While marvelling at the park on Horseback, you will get a closer encounter with different wildlife species that call the park home, such as a large number of eland antelopes, buffaloes, topis, eland, bush buck, warthog, leopard, hyena, jackal, and many more. This safari activity lasts about 1-4 hours, and the rates are according to the hours.
Best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park
The best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park is during the dry season, from December to February and June to August. During this time, the weather is dry and mild, making it ideal for game drives and outdoor activities. One can visit the park during the wet season, from March to May and September to November.
Accommodation in Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets. From luxury safari lodges to budget-friendly bandas, you’ll find something that suits your style. Some popular options include Hyena gill lodge, Kigambira safari lodge, Leopard Rest Camp, Mburo Eagle’s nest, Mburo safari lodge, Mihingo lodge, Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Rwonyo rest camp, Rangeland Mburo lodge, Arcadia Cottages, and Mantana Tented Camp, among others.
How to get to Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is located about 240 kilometers west of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. The easiest way to get to the park is by driving or taking a taxi. The journey takes about 4-5 hours, depending on traffic conditions. Alternatively, you can take a bus or shuttle service from Kampala to Mbarara town, and then transfer to a taxi or private vehicle to get to the park.
