
LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Whispers of the Wild.
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest and closest national park to Kampala. This national park is very cozy with animals so near, especially zebras. The park is 370 km2 with a Height of 1220–1828 m Above Sea level. The vegetation is embodied by taller mixed woodland, Moist Acacia Savannah, and aquatic habitats including lakes and papyrus swamps, grassland, and rocky ridges. It will take you about 4 hours to reach from Kampala. With over 350 species of birds, we are not shy to say animals like oribis, topis, warthog giraffes, waterbucks, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, zebras, and buffaloes, also call this their beloved home. While here, you have a relatively long list to choose from of activities for example fishing, Game driving, bird watching, boat cruise cycling, and cultural encounters.
Things to do in Lake Mburo National Park
Game Drives
Apart from Queen Elizabeth safaris, Lake Mburo also rewards travelers with not just amazing scenery but also game views usually done in the mornings and evenings, Impalas and zebras are to be looked out for, and other numerous animals like oribis, topis, warthog giraffes, waters bucks, hippos and crocodiles antelopes, zebras and buffaloes for those that love night animals the night game drives start at about 7 a.m. and end around 1 p.m with an armed game ranger. Bush babies, porcupines, and even leopards may be seen so why not try it out?
Birding
Viewing birds in Lake Mburo National Park will wow you, Starting from the Rwonyo camp licks area, and swampy valleys you may see Emerald spotted wood Dove, the Crested Francolin, Arrow marked Babler, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Ross’s Turaco, Green Wood-hoopoe, Brown Parrot, African Finfoot, Black-bellied Bustard, Long-tailed Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis Red-necked Spurfowl headed barbet, Yellow-throated Longclaw and Southern Red Bishop, African fish eagle white Nubian woodpecker and so many others so do not hesitate to include a birding safari to this park of 317 bird species to experience the water birds ( wetland birds), Savannah birds, and Some of the forest bird species.
Horse Back Riding
Game viewing can also be done on a horse something unique and only seen and done in Lake Mburo among all national parks in Uganda. This can take about 1-3 hours and is done while residing at mihingo lodge this experience has been preferred by most travelers that come to the park because they enjoy views of animals while riding on that house with the supervision of an expert guide animals to see are topis, warthog, zebras, impalas, elands, giraffes, waters bucks may be seen among others Therefore you can go up for the challenge or choose to go for a horse ride on a Jinja safari.
Guided Nature walks
Taking a guided nature walk which runs for 2 hours at Lake Mburo National Park is highly recommended and conducted with a ranger guide under the Uganda wildlife authority. After relatively long hours of sitting you may want to do this and have a close view of animals parading themselves to enjoy the taste of the salty licks made up of water and soil, hyenas around or returning to their dens if lucky, birds and hikes to the hill offers a viewing point of the 14 lakes around the park. The Rubanga forest is interesting for any birding and view of nature. Rubanga forest is home to about 40 bird species usually referred to as forest birds while here, you may see birds like; green pigeons, harrier hawks, and the grey-backed cameroptera. The forest also consists of several tree species like palm and acacia among many others.
Bicycle tours
Morning or afternoon cycling is the way to go, I mean you don’t get this experience in most national parks. While cycling can be done in and out of the national park, all experiences are unique. Due to the nature of the terrain; some areas are hilly while others are sloppy which makes it a little challenging but you can do it! zebras, elands, antelopes, bushbucks, and buffaloes can be guaranteed during this ride, and as for the community cycle your way through local villages, beautiful bushy trails seeing locals, herds of long-horned cattle, and stumbling on some wild animals every once in a while if lucky which is so amazing. Here we also use a game ranger within the park and outside the park can be done by expert locals.
Where to stay
Bwindi has a variety of accommodations located just outside the park or near the park, therefore depending on your budget you may consider our various classifications that is budget, Midrange, and high-end/luxury. Feel free to work with your operator on which type of accommodation works best for you but be also concerned about making payments in advance, especially during the peak season when availability may be questionable due to high guest turns, this makes it easy to have a smooth customized safari as all are pre-arranged.
Luxury
Mihingo Lodge: Mihingo Lodge is composed of 12 luxury, private tented rooms which are each special in its own unique charm and character, whether it is nestled in the forest, overlooking the lake, perched on a rocky outcrop or down by the water hole. Although no two rooms are the same they have been designed to complement the local environment with great attention to detail and provide guests with a light and airy sanctuary and a feeling of being alone in the bush. Each spacious canvas tent is equipped with en-suite bathrooms, showers, and flush toilets, hot and cold running water.
Midrange
Rwakobo Rock Lodge: The lodge sits beside Lake Mburo National Park, offering private thatched cottages, with solar lighting, solar heated showers, and flush toilets, which blend into the natural landscape. The cottages are dotted around the hill taking advantage of rocky ledges and secluded corners.
The full board rate is $130 per person (based on two people sharing). We have discounts for residents and citizens of East Africa.
Budget
Eagles Nest: Eagle’s Nest consists of 10 African safari tents with verandas overlooking Lake Mburo National Park. The view is stunning the rooms are all furnished with twin beds. Seated from your own veranda, you may be able to view some animals grazing if lucky. Enjoy an amazing quiet time with nature and a good experience of the wilderness. The start price is $70 pp per night.
