Best stopover to upcountry National Parks
Lake Mburo National Park is situated in the south western part of Uganda covering a total expanse of 370 sq kilometers. It is named after Lake Mburo within the park and home to animal species that are only unique to this area. The park is recognized as the finest place in Uganda that you can find the Zebra, Impala, Eland. Other animals include Buffalo, Oribi, Defassa waterbuck, Leopard, Hippo, Hyena, Topi ,crocodiles and Reedbuck.
Bird Watching
It is also a habitat of about 350 bird species, making it an attractive place for birders. The acacia resident birds that are frequently seen include; African Fish Eagle, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill and White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler. Other birds include Saddle-billed Stork, Brown-chested Lapwing, African-wattled Lapwing, Carruther’s Cisticola, Tabora Cisticola, African Scops Owl. The forest species of Rubanga include Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Hairy-breasted Barbet. The African Finfoot is the bird highly sought for despite its rarity.
A boat ride on Lake Mburo gets you close to the hippos, crocodiles.
Lake Mburo is now home to Rothschild’s giraffes translocated by Uganda Wildlife Authority from the Murchison Falls National Park thus boosting the wildlife menu of the Park.
Other activities available at Lake Mburo National park include a guided nature walking safari, horse riding and sport fishing. Along the nature walks the guides will tell about which animal foot print and dung was left behind by the animals.
It is such an exciting experience to get close to the animals in the wild on a nature walk and horse ride.
The Park is surrounded by the Ankole Pastoralist community that is centred around the cow. They rear cattle commonly known as Ankole long-horned cattle.
Getting there: It is a 3 to 4 hours drive from Kampala.
When to visit: Anytime during the year.
Accommodation: Rwonyo Rest camp, Mantana Tented Camp, Arcadia Cottages, Mihingo Lodge and Lake Mburo Safari Lodge. Other accommodations include Rwakobo Rock close to the park.