Super User 05 September 2023

Best Travel Guide To Lake Mburo National Park Wildlife in Uganda

Lake Mburo National Park is a compact gem, located conveniently close to the highway that connects Uganda’s Capital Kampala to the various parks of western Uganda.

About Lake Mburo National Park:

Lake Mburo National Park is well known for the impala though it has a vast population of wildlife ranging from zebra, eland, buffalo, oribi, water back, leopard, hyena, hippo, and reed back. The park offers a lot of animals for the traveler to enjoy his/her safari.

Rwonyo Rest Camp in Lake Mburo National Park is the center of tourism activities in the park. It is the starting point for nature hikes, quad biking, game drives, and forest walks. There is also a small shop selling handicrafts and books.

Location of Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda:

Located about 200 kilometers from Kampala, Lake Mburo National Park, is convenient for visitors who would like to experience wildlife at the shortest distance possible. It allows for closer wildlife viewing and exceptional photography.

Lake Mburo National Park is ideally placed for an overnight break between Kampala and the protected areas of western Uganda.

Size of Lake Mburo National Park:

The Park covers an area of 370 square kilometers, and it’s Uganda’s smallest National Park, but one of the most interesting Parks. The sight of galloping Impalas in full sight can take your breath away. Visitors can cruise the lake for a spot of fishing or simply admire the shoreline which at certain hours teems with wildlife.

Wildlife in Lake Mburo National Park:

Though the Park is small compared to many Uganda and East African Parks, it contains an impressive diversity of wildlife with 69 mammal species and 332 bird species.

Lake Mburo National Park Animals:

You will find quite several wild animals around Lake Mburo, and a number of the Park’s herbivores are rarely if at all, found elsewhere in Uganda. Lake Mburo is the only Park that contains Impalas and the only one in western Uganda with zebra and eland. Other animals include topics, Rothschild’s giraffe, hyenas, leopards, buffaloes, lions, hippos, warthogs, sitatunga, and Nile crocodiles among others.

Lake Mburo National Park Birds:

The Park’s well-developed Acacia woodland harbors over 332 bird species including red-necked spurfowl, African Wattled Plover, Flappet Larks, Rufous-chested swallow, Rupells’ long-tailed starling, sacred ibis, and southern red bishop among others. The bird list also contains additional ‘swamp species’ such as papyrus Gonelek, papyrus yellow warbler, white-winged warbler, and shoebill.

Lake Mburo National Park Tourist Attractions and Activities:

Lake Mburo National Park Boat Trip:

The eastern shores of Lake Mburo can be explored by boat, departing from a jetty at the lakeside campsite near Rwonyo Rest Camp. Watch out for Crocodiles and hippos during the two-hour voyage. Visitors can also see a variety of birds including pelicans, herons, fish eagles, and the rare finfoot and shoebill.

Lake Mburo National Park Game drives:

A network of game tracks explores the eastern hinterland of Lake Mburo, providing the chance to see a variety of savanna animals and birds.

Lake Mburo National Park Night Drives:

Night drives with a ranger guide provide the chance to see nocturnal animals such as bush babies, pottos, and leopards.

Lake Mburo National Park Salt Lick Walk:

Guided walks explore the Park around Rwonyo, culminating in a visit to a natural salt lake where wildlife can be viewed from a timber observation platform.

Lake Mburo National Park Forest Walk:

This small tract of forest on the western side of Lake Mburo is home to a variety of forest bird species. Rubanga can be explored with a ranger guide.

Lake Mburo National Park Horseback Safaris:

The grassy ridges in the eastern part of Lake Mburo can be explored on horseback. This activity is operated by Mihingo Lodge.

Lake Mburo National Park Mountain Biking:

Rwakobo Rock and Leopard Tail Rest Camp both operate mountain biking trips into the National Park at Nshara Gate.

Lake Mburo National Park Birding:

Prime areas for birding in Lake Mburo include the acacia woodland along the Acacia and Research tracks, the wooded shores of Lake Mburo as seen from the Rwonyo launch are ideal territory for the African finfoot, and the Lake’s northern fringe of papyrus wetland.

Lake Mburo National Park ViewPoints:

South of Rwonyo, the Lakeside Track climbs onto Kigarama Hill which provides a panoramic view of Lake Mburo. This Lake and seven more can also be seen from the equally dramatic Kazuma lookout which lies at the top of a rather steep track accessed from the Ruroko Track near the Kazuma/Research track junction.

Lake Mburo National Park Lodges and Campsites:

There are designated campsites for campers, and lodges perched high on a cliff that overlooks the Park, giving visitors a unique and good view of the Park.

Access to Lake Mburo National Park:

The 228 km drive from Kampala, Uganda’s Capital takes 3 and half hours. The Park can also be accessed from Kibale National Park via Ibanda, and from Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishaka and Mbarara.

Book with Ultimate Wild Safaris for a unique safari experience in Lake Mburo National Uganda.

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