Location in Nyabushozi County, at Kiruhura district, the size of the park is 370sq km, the altitude ranges from 1,220m to 1,828m above sea level. The parks’ precarious past has seen wildlife virtually eliminated several times: firstly, in various attempts to rid the region of tsetse flies, then to make way for ranches, and finally as a result of
subsistence poaching. 20% of the park’s entrance fee is used to fund local community projects such as building clinics and schools.
Lake Mburo National Park is a compact gem, located conveniently close to the highway that connects Kampala to the parks of western Uganda. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks and underlain by ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which date back more than 500 million years. It’s a home to 350 bird species as well as zebras, impalas, elands, buffalos, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hippo, hyena, Topi and reedbuck.
Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders. Once covered by open savanna, this supports the healthy population of Buffalos, Wathhog, bushpig and hippopotamus. Lake Mburo National Park now contains much woodland as there are no elephants to tame the vegetation. In the western part of the park, the savanna is interspersed with rocky ridges and forested gorges while patches of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line many lakes.
Lake Mburo is notably blessed with over 315 bird species and probably the best place to view acacia- associated birds, Rwonyo is a good zone to see the mosque swallow, blackbellied bustard, bare-faced-go away bird and Ruppell’s starling. A handful of birds is recorded essentially the southern ground hornbill and black throated barbet.
Activities in Lake Mburo National Park.
Game drive: with pop-up roof 4×4 safari vehicle, in the morning and afternoon game drive is ideal to follow different wild animals such as Zebra, Oribi, Bushbucks Reedbucks etc and different species of birds, the park also offers a night game drive accompanied by park ranger to viewing nocturnal animals. Boat Cruise in Lake Mburo: it is another interesting activity that you shouldn’t miss during your Safari in Lake Mburo, there is different schedules for morning and afternoon boat cruise, morning start around 9am and the afternoon start around 2pm, cruise takes about 2-3 hours of enjoying great view of the beautiful scenery.
Bird Watching: Home of more than 350 recorded bird species, this activity is done in different areas such as Rubanga forest. Swampy valley, Miriti and Warukiri.
Nature Walk and Hiking: The exciting activity that gives you a chance to explore the park on foot accompanied by armed ranger, during the guided nature walk you will be able to get up close with wildlife animals includes buffaloes, zebras, hippos, and colorful butterflies and birds.
Sport Fishing: Another tourism activity carried out at this park at designated areas at Mazinga, visitors who want to take part in this activity must first obtain a sport fishing permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority and carry their own fishing equipment. You will be given an experience guide who will help you during the sport fishing process.
Horseback Riding: An adventure activity in lake Mburo that gives you an opportunity to view and interact with different animals cross the savannah plain on a horse. Cycling: this is interesting activity adventurous where you will get to explore the park on bicycles, guided by game ranger to protect you from dangerous animals, you will follow cycling routes which goes through open plains of savannah grassland.