Lake Mburo National Park is the closest national park to Kampala, it also doubles as the smallest national park. Situated between Masaka and Mbarara district   taking approximately 4 hours’ drive time to arrive. The park covers an area of 370km² including the lakes (5 lakes).  Lake Mburo  is endowed  with several  wildlife species  to mention  recently translocated giraffes,  buffaloes, elands, waters bucks, antelopes, zebras, oribis, topis , warthogs as you take a boat cruise on lake Mburo you will be in position to observe ,  hippos and crocodiles.  In addition, the park also is home a wide a ray of birds amounting to 350 species some which include water birds, forest and savanna birds.

Lake Mburo national park has got thrilling activities that keep its visitors always on the desire for more.  Some of the most common tourism activities at Lake Mburo include; Game drive in the park, boat cruise on Lake Mburo, birding/ bird watching, Nature walks, the unique horse riding to view wildlife, fishing , cultural tours and cycling among others.  Park Can be accessed in two gates, namely Sanga gate accessible when one is driving from Kampala side and Nshara gate accessible when one is coming from Mbarara side.

Getting there

Lake Mburo national park is located in western Uganda and certainly the nearest in accessibility/ distance from the capital city (Kampala), a drive distance of approximately 228km and 3-4 hours’ drive time.  The park is located in Kiruhuru District between Masaka and Mbarara district.

The Entebbe international airport which is the entry point to the country and you will be picked up by our representative who will transfer you to the hotel you booked by us or you. All this can be upon your request since some city hotel offer airport pick up services.

The park is accessible in two ways.  When you are getting the park from Kampala-Masaka, your access will be through the Sanga gate about 20km for lyantonde  a asmall district close the park and  if you are  driving from Mbarara, your entry to the park will be from the Nshara game  aproxiamaltey 50Kms  from Mbarara.

Activities at Lake Mburo National Park

Game drives

For any savannah African safari, it’s considered   safari or a rewarding one until game drives are conducted.  It’s therefore by all means that game drives are the prime activity one can ever carry out while on a wildlife safari.  Game drives guarantees one an amazing opportunity to see the parks constituents namely the bird and wildlife species.   Game drives at Lake Mburo are conducted by guides under close supervision of the UWA rangers who are designated to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Lake Mburo national park  is endowed with several wildlife and bird species species among which you may lay your eyes on, they include but not limited to Elands, antelopes, buffaloes, giraffes, topis, warthogs, zebras, water bucks and impalas. Besides the park is the only in Uganda that is home to the impalas. Other features to look at while at the park are the alluring beautiful sceneries, the parent rocks and savanna. Other unique wildlife can also be viewed when on decides to take a night game, such wildlife include the leopards, bush babies and porcupines.

Birding at Lake Mburo

Lake Mburo’s key birding spots include swampy valleys and viewing platforms near the salt licks and in the forest. Species found at these locations include the Rufous-bellied Heron, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin, Grey Crowned Crane, Black-bellied Bustard and Brown-chested Lapwing.

The best birding spots in Lake Mburo National Park include the swampy valleys of Warukiri and Miriti, and the roadsides between Rwonyo camp and the jetty. There are also ideally-situated viewing platforms at the salt lick, in Miriti Valley, and in Rubanga Forest. Species observed at these locations include the Rufous-bellied Heron, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin, Grey Crowned Crane, Black-bellied Bustard, Brown-chested Lapwing, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Brown Parrot, Red-headed Lovebird, Ross’s Turaco, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Green Wood-hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, White-headed Barbet, Red-faced Barbet, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Long-tailed Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis, White-winged Tit and Finfoot among others.

Rubanga Forest can be visited using a vehicle or on foot. This is a real draw for keen birders, and prior arrangement should be made with the warden. The rare Red-faced Barbet – only seen in Lake Mburo National Park – is one of the of the forest’s featured species.

Sport Fishing at 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.

Hiking and Nature walks in Lake Mburo

Unusually, the whole park is open to walkers as long as they are accompanied by a ranger guide. At Rwonyo, a guided walk leads to a salt lick where many animals are attracted to the salty rocks.

Walks on the western side of the lake begin at 7am and take two hours. At this time of day, you may encounter hyenas returning to their dens and hippos retreating to the lake. Hikes through the woodland provide an opportunity to sight forest birds and mammals, while the walk to the top of the hill rewards visitors with a spectacular view of 9 of the region’s 14 lakes.

Of particular interest to walkers and birders is Rubanga Forest, which may be visited by prior arrangement and in the company of a ranger.
All walks should be booked in advance.