LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Eyes will bring you to dry hillsides, rocky outcrops, bushy thickets, open and wooded savannas, forests, lakes, and swamps breathe catching the entire tropical setting. Lake Mburo is a few kilometers away from the Kampala-Mbarara highway ahead of Mbarara town. The park is one of the smallest conservation areas in the country but stunningly still one of the most spectacular gems of a park branched off as you head west of the country. At just 371sq km, the park is remarkably different from other national parks, the most appealing place to view the gigantic eland, impala, zebras, and acacia associated birds. It still homes quite a number of other stunning mammal species like the buffalos, Defassa, waterbucks, reedbucks, warthogs, name it.
The park is nearly half a waterscape, with piquant lake shores, forest galleries, seasonal and permanent swamps and grassy valleys holding 5 lakes that attract thousands of hippos and crocodiles while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists like the rare Sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek.
The park has an impressive bird list of up to 332 species recorded. All is a true diversity of nature.
HOW TO GET THERE
The park is situated between the towns of Masaka and Mbarara in western Uganda, 228km (4hrs drive) away from Kampala city. There are two gateways from Mbarara road.
Approaching from Kampala, then turning to the Nshara gate is 13kms past Lyantonde.
The junction for the Sanga gate is at Sanga trading center, 27kms past Lyantonde.
TOUR ACTIVITIES
A number of activities can be conducted in Lake Mburo national park, game drives topping the list, nature walks, boat cruise, quad biking and the most stunning horse riding which is conducted by Mihingo lodge inside the park.
ACCOMMODATION
There quite a number of all kinds of safari lodging in and around the park that includes but not limited to Eagle’s nest safari lodge, Mihingo Lodge, Rwakobo Rock lodge, Mpogo lodge, and many others.
- Area:
- 260 km²
- Location:
- Mbarara District, Uganda
- Tour Attractions:
- Igongo Cultural Center, Lake Mburo, Birds, Rubanga Forest, Wildlife, Equator, Horseback Riding, Bicycle riding, Visiting Salt Lick.
- Tour Activities:
- Game Drives, Boat Cruise, Birding, Guided Nature Walks Fishing, Bicycle Tours, Cultural Encounters, Horseback Riding, Salt Lick
- Accommoodations:
- Eagle’s nest safari lodge, Mihingo lodge, Rwakobo Rock lodge, Mpogo lodge and many others.
- Drive Distance:
- 3.5 hours drive from Kampala road
- Established:
- 1963