Located in south western region of the pearl of Africa, Lake Mburo national park sits on an area spanning 260 square kilometers. It is famous for being the only place in southern Uganda with zebras. Lake Mburo is one of the few national parks in Uganda with giant bush rats, impalas and mongoose. The park is continuously becoming a destination for almost all tourists on the western safari circuit.

The fact that Lake Mburo national park is dominated by the eponymous lake, made of forest-fringed shores helmed in by rolling green hills, the park has continuously been underrated yet it is a reliable safari gem. The park is scenically reminiscent of the Kenyan rift valley’s Lake Naivasha which is more celebrated. It has been suffering low numbers of tourists presumably because of its low count of the “big five” particularly lions and elephants irrespective of its strategic location.

Lake Mburo, together with other thirteen lakes form the fifty kilometer wetland system connected by mainly lush papyrus vegetation. The former open Savannah Lake Mburo national park is now covered by woodland due to the absence of elephants and other big mammals to tame the vegetation. The western wing of the park is covered by savanna interspersed with rocky ridges and lush forested gorges. The numerous lakes here are neighbored by large tracts of papyrus wetlands and narrow bands of riparian woodland.

Wildlife in Lake Mburo National Park.

Dominated by several animals and bird species some of which are restricted to the area, Lake Mburo national park is the only protected area where tourists can watch animals on a quad bike, horseback and on foot.

Like earlier stated, Lake Mburo national park is the only park in the country with impala and Burchell’s zebra populations. Bushbuck, common duiker, topi, Bohor reedbuck and Defassa waterbuck are some of antelope species visible in the park. The vegetation of the park supports large populations of bush pigs, hippopotamuses, warthog and buffaloes.

The once common roan antelope is now locally extinct however, a good number of majestic elands can be seen moving seasonally in some parts of the park. It is in the rocky areas and swamp interiors of the park that one can take a glance at the Klipspringer and sitatunga respectively.

The Vervet monkey and baboon are the only two diurnal primates found in Lake Mburo national park. Predators present in the park include among others leopards and side-striped jackal in addition to white-tailed mongoose usually visible at dusk and dawn.

Birdlife in Lake Mburo national park.

It has been proved beyond doubt that Lake Mburo national park is the best place in Uganda with acacia-associated birds. Records have it that the park is home to 315 bird species available for watching. Black-bellied bustard, Long-tailed starling, mosque swallow and the bare-faced go-away bird are some of the endemic species that can be seen at Rwonyo camp.

The 6 papyrus endemics are residents of swamps and these include; striking blue-headed coucal, brilliantly colored papyrus gonolek, localized white- winged and papyrus yellow warblers which are restricted to this area in the whole country.

Climate and vegetation of the park.

Covering an area of over 260 square kilometers (smallest national park in Uganda), Lake Mburo national park lies at an altitude ranging from 1,220m and 1828m above sea level. The area receives an annual rainfall of 800mm which is usually low; however, almost 20% of the park’s surface area is covered by swamps. River Rwizi supplies the park’s 14 lakes which form the chain boundary of the park. These lakes are connected by a number of seasonal and permanent swamps.

The other parts of the park are covered by open savannah and woodland, common trees include; acacia hockii, acacia sieberiana, acacia gerridii and acacia polyacantha.

Activities in Lake Mburo National Park.

1. Game drives.

It somehow may sound less fashionable but it is possible to tour the park using a safari vehicle in case you are not good at horse riding. Tourists use either Zebra track near Nshara gate which connects to Rwonyo Rest Camp or Impala track connecting to Sanga gate.

All the tracks are extraordinary in a way that they present a lot for your eyes to see. However, big numbers of zebras, waterbucks, buffaloes, topi and impalas converge a few kilometers away from Rwonyo and the junction of Impala and Warukiri tracks during wet seasons.

Long before, Kigambira loop and Lakeside track were the most productive tracks especially during dry seasons since animals would be converging at swamps and lakes unlike today when the roads no longer give clear views of animals due to continuous covering and distraction by shrubs and other unwanted vegetation. These routes can only be beneficial to those who are interested in bush-dwelling birds and spotting leopards.

Clear views of the four lakes of the park can be got after walking to the top of Kazuma hill. The 360⁰ panorama from Kigambira hill which used to provide clear views were thrown in the dustbin of history by shrubs.

2. Boat cruise.

A boat cruise at Lake Mburo is one of the best expeditions you can ever have since it introduces you to a multitude of animal species ranging from aquatic to on-land and these include; buffaloes, crocodiles, waterbucks hippopotamuses and bushbucks. It is a moment turned into memory by taking as many pictures as your camera can store.

Not only do you see animals while on the boat cruise but also water birds like the African fish eagle, pied kingfisher, egrets, marabou stork and Narina trogon.

3. Horseback safari.

Have you been passionate about watching game while at the back of a horse, here is an opportunity for you! The expedition was introduced in East Africa of recent and the first of its kind in a Ugandan protected area.

A thirty minute ride through the grassy valley from the lodge costs 25$ whereas a three hour ride to the top of the hill with an option of bush breakfasts or sundowners goes for 130$.

How to get to Lake Mburo national park?

Two roads connect Lake Mburo national park to Mbarara-Masaka highway. The better one branches at Sanga town just 37km from Mbarara city. In the event you are coming from Kampala, branch off the main road a few kilometers after Lyantonde town (about 20km).

It takes about four to five hours to drive from Kampala to Lake Mburo irrespective of stopovers. The best vehicle to use would be a 4WD.