Lake Mburo national Park is the smallest savannah park located along Kampala Mbarara high way covering a total surface area of 370km2. lying on the altitude between 1220m-1828m above the sea level. Lake Mburo forms part of the 50 km long wetland system linked by the swamp. Much of its surface cover is wetland habitat which comprises of 20% of the parks total surface area. It underlies the ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which date back more than 500 million years. Part of its vegetation is composed of Savannah wood land with a lot of acacia trees and papyrus
Lake Mburo national park is accessed by road from Kampala using Kampala-Mbarara High way located in the western Uganda which is approximately 228km from Kampala. The park is between Masaka and Mbarara with two entry gates that is Nshara gate which is 13kms from Lyantonde and Sanga gate which is 27kms from Lyantonde. The dominant community surrounding Lake Mburo practices animal rearing which threatens the existence of the park through encroachment especially for cattle grazing. The park used to be much bigger than its current size but the government established some cattle ranches around the parks and its corridors and this continues to threaten its existence because of encroachment and poaching.
The park is a transit park because it connects most of the national parks found in the western part of the country. Most of the trips going to Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi impenetrable national and Mgahinga gorilla national park have lake Mburo as part either on the way to either park or from them especially for and drives and boat cruise. Despite of its size, it guarantees clients a good game drive of it the abundance of animal numbers that harbor the national park. They include among others Zebras, Giraffes, impalas, Elands, buffaloes, Hippos, waterbuck, sitatungas antelopes, topi, reedbuck, oribi, defassa, hyena and leopard among others. It’s a home to over 350 species of birds which provides bird lovers an opportunity for a birding experience
Tourism Activities that can be carried in this park include;
Boat cruise:
This is one of the exciting activities you should never miss while in lake Mburo. It offers you an opportunity to sight animals and birds on the shores that were missed during the game drives. The Eastern shores of lake Mburo can be discovered by boat trip starting from the jetty at the lake side near Rwonyo rest camp. This activity lasts for 2 hours and while on the trip, you will be able to see schools of hippos in shallow waters and crocodiles along the shores. You are likely to sight a variety of bird species including pelicans, herons, fish eagles, the rare shoebill. Our professional guides will enrich you with stories regarding the formation of the lake and the gazettement of the park ad its trend of events since then. The boats can accommodate a minimum of 5 people ad maximum 40 people.
Game drives:
Games drives help you explore the park and sight most of the existing wild animals. These can be done either in the morning, or in the evening with our professional guides. Game drives can also be done at night from 7:30 PM to 9:00PM using sport lights. There are several trucks that can lead you to where you can sight a number of wild animals. Game drives were made more appealing after translocation of giraffes from Murchison falls national park to Lake Mburo national park. Other animals include: Zebras, leopards, hyenas, buffaloes, sitatunga antelopes, warthogs among others.
This is an UWA concession that is operated by Mihingo lodge. It helps you explore grassy ridges in the Eastern part of the national park.
Mountain biking:
This is also a UWA concession operated by Rwakobo rock and Leopard trail rest camp. This activity is suitable for well to do clients I terms of fitness normally starts from Nshara gate into the national park. The lake side track climbs into Kigarama hill which provides panoramic view of lake Mburo. This lake and seven more can equally be seen from dramatic Kazuma look out which lies at the top of a rather steep truck accessed from the Ruroko track
Guided nature walks.
Guided nature walks can be done along Rwonyo tourism center up to the lake shores. This helps you appreciate the park’s spectacular views especially the vegetation cover and the lake. You will be able to sight some birds along the way. It lasts between 3 to 4 hours.
Some of the Accommodation in the park
- Acardia cottages
- Rwakobo Rock lodge
- Kigambira safari lodge
- UWA Rwonyo camp
- Mihingo lodge
- Mburo safari lodge
- Hyena hill lodge
- Igongo Cultural resort
Some clients can stay in Mbarara town which is approximately 30km away. The following lodge in Mbarara include:
Asamah country resort, Cassia hotel, Rwizi Arch Hotel, Lake view hotel, Emburara Farm lodge, Hotel Triangle among others.
