Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo national park is situated in Kiruhura district about 240 km west of Kampala city along the Mbarara-Masaka highway, it is popularly known as the smallest savanna park in the Pearl of Africa gifted with unique stunning wildlife species that you might not spot elsewhere in other safari parks. The park covers a small area of only about 370 square kilometer featuring a wide range of impressive nature wonders including the mesmerizing savannah landscape. it is habitat to approximately 68 mammal species and up to 350 bird species.

Historical background

The park was originally gazette in 1933 as a controlled hunting ground for the Banyankole/ Bahima tribe of people in the west, but later it was upgraded to game reserve in 1963. However, due to continued grazing of cattle in the reserve by the Bahima, it was declared a national park in 1983 during the reign of President Obote thus evicting the Bahima cattle keeper out of the protected area. This never pleased the Bahima since they never liked Obote’s government, therefore they revenged by killing the wild animals and also cultivated part of the reserve. Fortunately after the coming of NRM government, it commanded the regazatting of the reserve, thus renamed the “Smallest Savannah National Park”

Lake Mburo national park features Lake Mburo and 13 other lakes forming a 50 km wetland system and 5 of the lakes can be found within the park. Since there are no elephants to tame the vegetation, most of Lake Mburo Park is dominated by woodland vegetation.

Wildlife in Lake Mburo National Park

The park is home to a few lions, zebra, hippos, impala, African buffalo, hyena, genets, jackals, Serval cats, warthog, common eland, oribi, reedbuck, waterbuck to mention but a few mammal species. It is habitat to approximately 68 mammal species and up to 350 bird species, Most notable birds in the park include red-faced barbet, African fin foot, shoebill, papyrus yellow warbler, African scops owl, Abyssinian ground hornbill, white winged warbler among others.

Attractions in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo

The lake is one of the top attractions in the park where boat ride is done; the boat cruise offers the perfect opportunity to encounter animals and colorful birds on the banks and in water including hippos & crocodiles. Popular birds on the lake include African fish eagles, blue-headed weavers, green-necked doves, Hammer kops, Pelicans, cormorants, shoebill to mention but a few.

Rwonyo rest camp

This is the tourism center in the park; it’s the starting point for most of the fascinating activities including game drives, nature guided hikes & quad biking among other activities.

Rubanga forest

The small forest is found on the western side of the park, Rubanga forest is home to several forest bird species which include harrier hawk, Narina trogon, grey-backed Cameroptera, double totthed barbet and many others.

Activities in Lake Mburo national park

• Boat Launch trips on Lake Mburo
• Game drives
• Bird watching
• Horseback riding (Mihingo lodge)
• Hiking
• Guided Nature walks

Accommodation in the Park

The park features a huge range of favorable accommodation options offering excellent services to all guests. Here are some of the accommodations you encounter in the park;

• Rwakobo rock lodge
• Mihingo lodge
• Mpogo Lodge
• Leopard rest Camp among other lodges and camps

How to get to Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is situated about 236 km west of Kampala city along the Masaka –Mbarara road that connects Kampala to other safari destinations in western Uganda. On a road trip from Kampala or Entebbe to the park takes you about 4 to 5 hours drive using the Masaka and Mbarara-Masaka Highway.

Are you a group or family planning dream life road trip to the park, we hope that the above guide can be of help to assist you achieve a unique experience in the park, for more further questions about the lake Mburo national park, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our travel experts by contacting us on info@gorillaugandasafaribookings.com or call us directly on +256-775630809 or +256-701343598 to speak directly to our reservations team.