Lake Mburo National Park is in Western region in Kiruhura district and is approximately 240 kilometres from Kampala. It is the smallest savannah park in Uganda covering an area of 260 square kilometres and is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Lake Mburo National Park was first gazetted as a controlled hunting area in 1933 and upgraded to a game reserve in 1963. The Banyankole Bahima residents continued to graze their cattle in the reserve until it was upgraded to national park status in 1983. As the evicted pastoralists were not compensated for lost grazing land or assisted with resettling, many remained hostile to the upgrade. The rangeland outside the park was subsequently subdivided into small ranges and subsistence farming plots.
There are various things you can do and see while in the park;
Game drives: In Lake Mburo National Park, there are various trails that tourists follow as they for animals. The game drive will make you see the Park’s wildlife like Impala, and Burchell’s zebras which are among the rare and sought for species of wildlife in Uganda’s protected areas. Other famous Park animals you are likely to encounter are large number of Eland antelopes, Buffaloes, Topis, eland, Bush buck, Warthog, Leopard, Hyena and Jackal. Hippos and large crocodiles are also frequently seen along the shores of the Lake busking on sun. If you are lucky enough you may get to see elusive leopard among others as well as various savannah bird species living in the park.
Birding: The Park harbours over 315 different bird species including acacia, savanna grassland, woodland and aquatic associates and some of which are not found elsewhere in Uganda. The species in this Park includes; Abyssinian ground hornbill, Saddle billed stork, African fish eagle, Tabora cisticola, Black bellied bustard, Brown chested wattled plover, Emerald spotted wood, Carruther’s cisticola, Rufous-billied heron, White Wingled warbler, Great spipe, Red papyrus gonolek, Africa finfoot, Red-faced barbet, Grey crown crane, Papyrus yellow warbler, Bare faced go away bird, Cocui francolin, Olea species and Boscia species which are residents woody vegetation, and not forgetting the rare elusive shoebill among others. While on a birding trip to the park, you will expect to spot some of these. The Park’s birding sites include Rubanga forest area, Rwonyo areas like Wakukiri and Miriti. The activities normally go for more than two hours depending on the weather. You may also choose to do birding and bird watching along the shores of Lake Mburo and its Swamps.
Nature walks and Hiking: Walking in this Park is so rewarding and enjoyable. The absence of Elephants and Lions in the Park makes nature walks very easy because there is nothing to fear about. Choose to take a walk to the salt lick area and watch how Park animals continuously lick the ground because it’s salty. The animals you may encounter in this area are Burchell’s Zebras, Buffaloes, and many antelopes as well as hippos rushing back to the Lake after their early morning grazing activity. Your walk can also involve a little trek and hike to Kazuma hill to enjoy the stunning beauty of Park’s vegetation, incredible lakes within the Park including Lake Mburo, rolling hills marked by protruding ancient Precambrian rocks. The Nature walk may take you 2-4 hours depending on the weather and your target for the day.
Boat cruise: This is a wonderful way to take a closer look at the complex Park ecosystem without frightening them. Gliding on Lake Mburo is more than just viewing specular swampy vegetation that makeup shores of the Lake. It will make you have a very close encounter with wildlife. You will enjoy seeing numbers of animals coming to quench their thirst in the Lake especially during the dry season where the Lake seems to be the only permanent water source. The animals to expect include; Hippos, Crocodiles, Waterbucks, Zebras, Warthogs, and Buffaloes among others. You can also watch out for different water bird species like; Cormorants, African fish eagle, Pelican, Heron, King fishers, African jacana, marabou stork and many more.
Horseback ride: Lake Mburo National Park is the only Park in Uganda which offers the opportunity for horseback riding. The experience of Horseback riding is remarkable. The activity will enable you to closely encounter with wildlife. Exploring the Park through horseback riding is another way to enhance your holiday experience. The ride offers a unique based adventure in the savannah plains and other game track trails of Lake Mburo National Park. The Horseback riding take between 1-4 hours and the rates are according to the hours and is managed by Mihingo lodge.
This park is so close to Kampala and a day trip is so possible and you can do at least 2 of the above activities.
