Lake Mburo National Park is a very special place; every part of it is alive with variety, interest and color. It contains an extensive area of wetland. It harbors several species of mammals; zebras, impalas, buffaloes, and birds comprising of bill stocks, which are found nowhere else in the country. Its sculptured landscape with rolling grassy hills and idyllic lake shore has a varied mosaic of habitats, forest galleries, seasonal and permanent swamps and rich acacia wood valleys which all support wealthy wildlife. The park is only 260 square kilometers the smallest in Uganda’s savannah national parks. Its mosaic habitat; dry hillside, rocky outcrops bushes, thickets, open and wooded savannah, forests, lakes, and swamps are home to a surprising diversity of plants and animals.
Flora and Fauna
Lake Mburo National park is famous for its richness in biodiversity. It has about 68 different species of mammals. The common ones are zebras, impalas, buffaloes, topis, elands as herbivores not to leave out the rare sighting of Roan antelopes and leopards, hyenas, and jackals as predators. The park also has about b313 different species of birds including the rare shoebill stork and white-winged warbler. The woody vegetation of Lake Mburo is dominated by Acacia spp, Olea spp, and Boscia spp.
Activities to do in Lake Mburo National Park
Game drives
The park has a number of tourist tracks that are used when viewing wildlife. Impala track exposes the visitor the visitor to a diverse species of animals. Named after the track, impala is the commonest species viewed along this track although one may not miss to sight a number of waterbucks, warthogs, topis and zebras.
Buffaloes
Other tracks include zebra and Warukiri tracks where harems of burchell’s zebra (Equus burchelli) are common along with other species like bushbucks, oribi and reedbucks. The zebra track leads one to the junction to Ruroko track, a drive through wetlands basin and thick acacia scrub and woodland, with commonly oliv trees and ephorbia species. The kopjes are home elusive klipspringers that believe the rock offers the best habitat.
The Kazuma track takes you through wooded grassland where you cannot miss black-bellied bustards often patrolling the area. For visitors to experience a real exposure of lake Mburo national park, one must climb kazuma hill, which is high enough to enable them see, what they could have missed. The five lakes within the park and the rolling hills become more visible and attractive. Its better seen than read or heard.
Hippos at the lake
Kigambira loop takes you through a wooded country with scattered thicket, while here look out for bushbucks and bush duikers. The lakeside track is specially designed to facilitate viewing of aquatic and other water- loving plants and animals. The park has a diversity of water birds, woodland birds that can be sighted along these tracks.
Rubanga forest
This forest offers a variety conducive habitat for birds’ therefore very attractive place for bird watchers. There are over 40 species of birds recorded in Rubanga forest; with 5 species are the harrier hawk, green pegion, narina’s, trogon, grey backed cameroptera and double toothed barbet. The forest is small but true forest with closed canopy in places. A common tree is Markhamia platycalyx, Sapium, Eythrina and Acacia spp
Boat trips
The presence of Lake Mburo within the Park is a blessing worth mentioning. The lake rich with a diversity of animal and plant species which can only be viewed clearly if you take a boat trip. The crocodiles, hippopotamuses and birds like pelicans, black crake, heron, cormorant, fish eagle and you may also see the rare shoebill stork and all these will furnish your visit with pride. The duration of each boat cruise is negotiable with the park management.
Guide walks and Nature Trail
The nature trail offers visitor a chance to admire nature insitu. Visitors have the opportunity to walk in the circuit at their pace in company of an armed guide. Information on trials is also available.
Salt lick
A walk to the nearby salt lick is a summary of it all. Strategically located wooden hide (observation point) offers a chance to see at least 4 different species of animals at any one time while they lick the salty soil. Most interesting to note is that this is done without the animal’s conscience. Visitors may walk to areas of their own choice.
Note: walks inside the park must be in company of an armed park official.
Fishing
Lake Mburo has about 6 species of fish, the common one being tilapia (oreoclcroomis leacosti) but others include Lungfish, Mudfish, Haplochromes. Using hooks visitors can spend time catching fish. A shade is provided at a campsite to ensure maximum relaxation for visitors while at the lake.
Birding
Lake Mburo has a variety of bird species. A lot of savannah woodland and water logged species will be viewed. Taking a boat ride on one of the lakes will help to spot different species.
How to get to Lake Mburo National Park|Traveling to Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is situated in Mbarara district. It is about a 3.5hr drive from Kampala. From Masaka-Mbarara road, turn left at 50km (Akageti 13 km past Lyandonde), which brings you through the Sanga gate. Both junctions have clearly labeled signposts. It is about 13km from Sanga trading center to Sanga gate, 5km from the main road to the Nshara gate and about a 20minute drive from either gate to Rwonyo park headquarters.
Uganda Safari itineraries that cover Lake Mburo National Park
6 Days Safari Tour in Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks
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8 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Holiday
8 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tour
10 Days Uganda Holiday Tour
10 Days Best of Uganda Safari Tour
12 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tour
12 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour
15 Days Best of Uganda Wildlife Safari Trip
16 Days Adventure Uganda Vacation Safari Tour
18 Days Uganda Holiday Safari
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Tailor-Made Birding 20 days: Uganda Tour – The Pearl of Africa
Uganda Rwanda Relax Safari 22 Days