Uganda's closest park - if you fail to visit the distant national parks of Uganda, then you can't fail to explore Lake Mburo national park.
Lake Mburo national park derives its name from the pristine lake Mburo. The park is located in the south western part of Uganda in Kiruhura district along Kampala- Masaka – Mbarara road. Visitors coming from Kampala take a distance of approximately 240km and 30km for those within Mbarara.
Lake Mburo is ranked as the closest and the smallest national park in Uganda covering an area of 370 sq.km which is between an altitude of 1220m-1828m above sea level.
Before in 1933, lake Mburo was first gazatted as a hunting grounds were controlled hunting was carried out and later made a game reserve in 1963. As years went by it was made a national park and the Banyankole Pastoralists (Bahima) were driven out. History says that the Obote government drove out the pastoralists from the park as a sigh of punishment for supporting anti-Obote rebels.
Beauty has its way of piling in one place and the moment you travel to Lake Mburo national park you will bear witness. The park consists of ancient beautiful Precambrian metamorphic rocks which provides the bedrock of the park. These have helped in dominating the surrounding because it contains, clay soil, roam soil and wetlands. The park is a home for approximately 69 mammals. Wildlife species at Lake Mburo national park include; leopards, topis, spotted hyena Burchell's zebra, elands, impala, Rothschild's giraffe and hippopotamus.
Lake Mburo national park is the closest park and can easily be accessed by road. Your start up point will determine the travel distance and time. Travellers from Kampala under self-drive can reach lake Mburo national park in a travel time of 4 hours and in a travel distance of 250km and 265km from Entebbe to Lake Mburo.
The travel route includes Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara. Visitors can opt to use any of the three gates at the park and these include:
Travel in comfort and tranquility as you access Lake Mburo national park by air. Air transport saves time and reduces tiresome. The flight will start from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Lake Mburo.
The park has no close airstrip but visitors use Mbarara airstrip and requires a domestic vehicle for pick up upon landing. Others can opt to use kasese airstrip or Kikiki airstrip which takes longer hours being distant.
Lake Mburo national park provides a diverse wildlife environment hence wildlife experience. It has over 69 mammals that captivate visitors during guided game drives.
Animals to encounter at Lake Mburo include; Elands, Impalas, Leopards, Burchell's Zebra, spotted hyena, hippos and crocodiles.
Lake Mburo national park is also among the best birders destination while on a Uganda safari. The park records over 350 bird species because of the diverse environment comprising of wetlands, savannah and woodlands.
Bird species such as shoe bill, African finfoot, crested Francolin, pelicans, herons among others.
The vegetation zones at lake Mburo is characterized by diverse tree species such as acacia trees, glass lands, riparian woodland and narrow bands of lush scattered in the western region. The vegetation in the rock ridges, valleys has greatly contributed to almost all the park habitants.
The forest has influenced the formation of rain which is pre-eminent to the thirsty wildlife species and the forest growth. The vegetation is a beauty of its own that lightens the park and creates fresh environment for its visitors.
Lake Mburo national park has a lot of activities for visitors to engage in during their Uganda safari to this tourist destination.
Boat cruise offers a sea breeze experience for those with passion of sailing. This activity enables travellers get rid of fatigue and have a clear mind. Get exposed to amazing aquatic life in their natural setting.
Aquatic life expected to see include; hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds like King Fisher, rare African fin foot, African fish eagles, hammerkop, cormorant, herons among others. The shores have regular visitors such as antelopes and buffaloes.
It takes 2-3 hours to get immersed whole in this nature land while on the boat with a platform for photography with a flora background.
Lake Mburo national park is a birding destination with recorded bird species over 350. The park provides a favorable environment for these flying colorful creatures and are usually spotted in Warukiri and Miriti swamp, Rubanga forest and forest valleys.
Bird species sighted include; papyrus yellow warbler, Abyssinian ground hornbill, tabora cisticola, great snipe, rare shoebill stork, African fin foot, saddle billed stork, brown chested wattled plover, carruther's cisticola, African fish eagle, saddle billed stork.
For morning, evening and night guided game drive, Lake Mburo national park is the right destination. There are numerous game trails to follow in search of these wild game in their natural habitat.
With the help of the ranger guide, the drive is rewarding and wildlife to spot includes; herd of Elands, antelopes, topis, oribis, buffaloes and many others.
A night game drive will expose visitors to a wide variety of nocturnal wildlife like leopard and missed out creatures during other game drives.
Meet and blend with the locals in their well-organized communities. It's a great opportunity to gather information about their traditional culture and beliefs. You will learn about the behaviors of the Bahima which includes making ghee while interacting with the local women.
You can get a chance of milking the Bahima cows as well as visit the Igongo culture museum to learn more about the Ankole culture.