Lake Mburo covers an area of 370 km² between 1220m –1828m above sea level. Wetland habitats comprise 20% of the park’s surface. Lake Mburo offers some novel means of game viewing; in a vehicle; on a mountain bike, by boat, on foot, and on horseback. The park can be regarded as a compact jewel of a park is ideally placed for an overnight break between Kampala and the protected areas of western Uganda.  A mosaic of habitats includes rock outcrops, savanna, acacia woodland, bush, forest, swamp and lakes that support a wealth of wildlife including species that are rare or absent from other parks in Uganda.  Birding is also rich with papyrus and acacia species being particularly well represented.

WILDLIFE

At only 370km², Lake Mburo National Park is small compared to many East African parks but it is home to a surprising diversity of wildlife with 69 mammal species and 332 bird species. 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 Burchell’s zebra and eland. Topi are only found elsewhere in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The species list was expanded in 2015 when a number of Rothschild’s giraffe were relocated to Lake Mburo from

Murchison Falls National Park. Leopards and hyenas are also present and, after years of absence, lions are once more sighted.  Hippos and crocodiles live in the park’s five lakes, while the fringing swamps hide secretive wetland creatures such as the sitatunga antelope.

The birdlist contains more ‘swamp specials’ such as the papyrus gonelek, papyrus yellow warbler, white-winged warbler and shoebill.  Acacia woodland bird species are well represented around the rest camp at Rwonyo and in the lightly wooded grassland valleys east of Lake Mburo.

LOCAL PEOPLE

The area around the park is sparsely settled, traditionally being cattle country that is ill suited to intensive cultivation. The Banyankole, the dominant tribe, is divided between Bairu cultivators and Bahima herders.

ACCESS

Lake Mburo National Park lies between the towns of Lyantonde and Mbarara close to the main, south-westerly road that links Kampala to Bwindi, Kabale and the Rwandan border. The 228km drive from Kampala takes 3.5 hours. The park can also be reached from Kibale National Park, via Ibanda and Rushere, and from Queen Elizabeth National Park, via Ishaka and Mbarara.

Three gates enter the park. Kyanyanshara Gate, which lies close to the upmarket Mihingo Lodge, is 18km south of Akagate trading centre, which is 14km west of Lyantonde.  The 9km dirt road leading to Nshara Gate turns south from the main road, 500m west of Akagate. The 13km dirt road to Sanga Gate leaves the main road at Sanga trading centre, 13km from Akagate and 27kms from Lyantonde. 

CLIMATE

Lake Mburo National Park lies in a rain shadow between Lake Victoria and the Rwenzori Mountains and receives an average of 800mm of rain a year. Being near the Equator, the rainfall pattern is bimodal with the long rains occurring from February to June and the short rains from September to December. Rainfall is rather erratic and unpredictable but tends to be heaviest in April and November.

WHEN TO VISIT

Any time of the year.

ACCOMMODATION

Mid-range cottages are available at Arcadia Cottages, 1km south of Rwonyo while 3km north, Lake Mburo Mantana Camp provides luxury tented accommodation. The renowned Mihingo Lodge, which extends across a large, rock kopje just outside the park, is accessed through the easterly Kyanyanshara Gate.

ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

GAME VIEWING

Lake Mburo 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 hippopotamus during the two-hour voyage. You can also sight a variety of birds including pelicans, herons and fish eagle and perhaps the rare fi nfoot and shoebill. Fishermen with their own equipment may fish in the lake from the campsite by arrangement.

Game drives

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

Night drives

Night drives with a ranger guide provide the chance to see nocturnal animals such as bushbabys, pottos and perhaps even a leopard.

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.

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.

Horseback safaris

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

Mountain biking

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

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 (ideal territory for the African finfoot) and the lake’s northern fringe of papyrus wetland.

LAUNCH TRIPS IN LAKE MBURO

The wildlife-rich eastern banks of Lake Mburo can be explored during a tranquil two-hour boat voyage. Keep an eye out for crocodiles, buffaloes and hippos as well as colorful Kingfishers, magnificent Fish Eagles, Hammerkops and their enormous nests and even the prehistoric-looking Shoebill. Voyages depart from Rwonyo jetty every two hours (subject to demand) starting at 8am.

SPORT FISHING IN LAKE MBURO

Lake Mburo contains around six species of fish, with tilapia being the most common. The designated fishing spot is at Mazinga; visitors planning to fish here should carry their own equipment and obtain a permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority.