+256-784-164384
info@jokuntoursandtravels.com
Lake Mburo National Park is situated approximately 240 kilometers from Kampala (it is the closest park to Kampala) and 30 km from Mbarara and 290km from Entebbe International Airport. It is the smallest park of all the savanna national parks in Uganda.
In 1933, Lake Mburo was gazetted off as a controlled hunting area and later upgraded to a game reserve in 1936. Mbarara district is predominately occupied by the Banyakole tribe who are known cattle keepers and they used Lake Mburo game reserve as a grazing area for their cattle to punish the Banyakole, the then president of Uganda, Sir Milton Obote decided to grant Lake Mburo a National Park status in 1983 to punish and oust out the Banyakole out of the national park whom he believed that they supported the rebels and they ended up as squatters around the park since they weren’t compensated for their lost land.
Lake Mburo national park is covered in metamorphic rocks which are believed to have lasted more than 500 million years and create very beautiful scenery alongside the greatest highlights of Lake Mburo National Park.
Lake Mburo National Park is famous for the zebras, Impalas, elands, buffaloes, oribi, Waterbucks, Leopard, hippos, hyenas, and reedbucks among others. It is also considered among the best birding spots for viewing the acacia-associated birds in Uganda like the bare-faced go-away bird, Ruppell’s starling, black-bellied, mosque swallow, and more different species.
Nature walks in Lake Mburo National Park begin at 0630hrs and 0730hrs but could last longer than 2 hours based on your preference. The clients are led by one of the professional guides to either one of the different trails like the walk towards the salt lick at Rwonyo trail, Rubanga forest trail, along the shores of the lake and it is a foot activity that brings you closer to the wild which is a unique experience as compared to the drive. Expect to see zebras, Impalas, elands, buffaloes, oribi, Waterbucks, Leopard, hippos, hyenas, and reedbucks among others.
The game drive tracks are specifically designed to bring you closer to the calm wilderness. You will be able to enjoy the park’s scenery views of the different landscapes and vegetation. Some of the game you expect to see are the zebras, Impalas, elands, buffaloes, oribi, Waterbucks, Leopard, hippos, hyenas and reedbucks, acacia-associated birds in Uganda like the bare-faced go-away bird, Ruppell’s starling, black-bellied, mosque swallow and more different species.
Night Game drives can only be done in a few parks and Lake Mburo is among them. Some of the most sought-after wildlife can only be seen after the sun hides behind the clouds. The night game drive lasts for 3 hours and it is only done in accompaniment of the range guide starting at 0700pm. Some of the nocturnal animals you could expect to see on your walk include leopards, spotted hyenas, genets, porcupines, bush babies and so much more. For better views and sightings, the guide will use the spotlight.
Lake Mburo boat cruises set off at scheduled times of a 2 hours duration after each boat launches. The cruise offers the best views of some of the wildlife that can be seen relaxing on the shores of the lake like the hippos, and crocodiles, plus bird species like many kinds of kingfishers and also a home to the only African fin foot.
Lake Mburo National Park is home to over 350 bird species which makes it one of the best birding places in Uganda. The birding adventure in Lake Mburo National Park can be enjoyed on foot, in a safari car, or by boat any preference will give you a great adventure satisfaction. Due to the bird population, the birds are easily sighted and the commonest to see are the papyrus gonolek, Red-faced Barbet, Abyssinian ground hornbill, and Verreaux’s eagle not forgetting to mention that it is the only home to the African finfoot9.
One of the best ways to experience the safari adventure is on the back of the horse. The horses are well-trained to give you an incredible experience in the African savanna, ride one of the horses past the herds of buffaloes, antelopes and zebras, and other wildlife in the accompaniment of the two professional guides.
Lake Mburo offers the best chance to catch the tilapia fish species which is the commonest fish species in all the five lakes of the park but the anglers are not only limited to this species as there are other fish species with the help of professional fishing guides you will track the best fishing spots.
Tourists need to come with their fishing equipment like trolling lures, rain suits, life jackets, first aid box, fire extinguisher, cool box for cold drinks and picnic lunch, etc.
The cycling tours come with lots of options and customizations for various levels of riders based on one’s ability and capability. The trip goes for 1 hour and more and it is best done in the morning hours when the weather is cooler. Clients are secure enough as they are accompanied by a ranger and the cycling is done in the flat landscape making it less straining and much more fun.
Lake Mburo National Park is in the middle of the Ankole region which is the home of the Banyakole tribe who will take you through the local farms surrounding the park. Optional activities include visits to traditional homes, local orphanages or schools, banana brewing demonstrations and even meeting traditional medicinal healers plus milking the traditional long-horned cattle. The three to four-hour walk is easily tailored to your schedule and interests.
