Lake Mburo National Park

Discovering Lake Mburo National Park: A Haven for Wild Game Drives

Lake Mburo National Park, spanning 370 square kilometers, offers an exhilarating experience of African wildlife watching within easy reach of Uganda’s capital. Situated in the southwestern part of the country, it has become a popular stop on the safari circuit. This park distinguishes itself as the only one in the southern region where zebras, giraffes, impalas, slender mongooses, and giant bush rats coexist.

Lake Mburo, the heart of the park, sets a picturesque scene with its forest-fringed shores embraced by rolling green hills. Reminiscent of the renowned Lake Naivasha in the Kenyan Rift Valley, it creates a serene backdrop for the wildlife that thrives within its boundaries. Despite its scenic allure, Lake Mburo National Park has been historically overlooked by many travelers, possibly due to the limited count of the ‘big five,’ notably the absence of elephants and lions.

Despite the absence of certain heavyweight animals, Lake Mburo National Park provides excellent safari game viewing opportunities. Staying for two or more nights increases the chances of encountering a variety of large mammal species comparable to other Ugandan national parks. Recent developments, including the introduction of exemplary lodges like the luxury Mihingo Lodge, have contributed to raising the park’s profile.

Activities in Lake Mburo National Park

Wild Game in Lake Mburo

Wild-Viewing-in-Lake-Mburo-National-Park

Lake Mburo stands out as the only protected area among the top 10 destinations in Uganda where visitors can observe game animals on foot and horseback. The park hosts unique species not easily found elsewhere in Uganda. Notably, it is the sole reserve supporting a large population of impalas and one of the three areas where Burchell’s zebras are found in the country. Visitors can spot various antelope species, including topi, bushbuck, common duiker, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, and Bohor reedbuck. The lake and lush vegetation around it are home to buffalo, warthog, bushpig, and hippopotamus. Although roan antelope are locally extinct, large herds of elands still move seasonally through the park. Sitatunga antelope inhabit swampy areas, and the klipspringer is occasionally observed in rocky regions. Two diurnal primates, the vervet monkey and olive baboon, add to the park’s biodiversity.

Birding

Lake Mburo National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise with approximately 315 bird species recorded. It stands out as an excellent location in Uganda to observe acacia-associated birds. The park offers sightings of unique birds, including mosque swallow, black-bellied bustard, bare-faced go-away bird, and Ruppell’s long-tailed starling. Additionally, the swamps within the park are home to six papyrus endemics, such as the vibrant papyrus gonolek, blue-headed coucal, white-winged, and papyrus yellow warblers, found nowhere else in Uganda.

Best Time to Visit Lake Mburo National Park.

The short dry season from December to February is considered the optimal time to visit Lake Mburo National Park. During these months, the weather is cool and dry, making it more comfortable for visitors. Fewer bugs, like mosquitoes, are present, and the sparse undergrowth enhances visibility. Another favorable period is during the dry seasons of June to September and December to February when animals gather around water points, particularly the lake and swamps, facilitating easier wildlife observation.