Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda and the nearest park to both Kampala and Entebbe. For those contemplating wildlife safaris in Uganda, birdwatching excursions, or game viewing, Lake Mburo National Park should be considered as a potential destination. The majority of our Uganda safaris, vacation packages, and tours curated by our expert tour operators include this national park in the itinerary, particularly for tourists interested in birding safaris in Uganda. Lake Mburo National Park is situated roughly 240 kilometers from Kampala and merely 30 kilometers from Mbarara, the largest town in Western Uganda.
The distance from Entebbe Airport to Lake Mburo National Park is roughly 290 kilometers. The national park is adjacent to four major districts of Uganda: Mbarara, Lyantonde, Isingiro North, and Kiruhura. Lake Mburo National Park is the closest national park in Uganda to the President’s hometown in Kiruhura District. One can drive around 99 km in about 2 hours from Lake Mburo to reach the president’s residence in Nyabushozi, Kiruhura District.
The park is readily accessible by road, requiring approximately three to three and a half hours of driving for individuals seeking Lake Mburo safaris, Uganda safaris, or Uganda tours from Kampala or Entebbe, respectively. The coordinates are: 00°36’S, 30°57’E (Latitude: 0.6000; Longitude: 30.9500).It encompasses an area of 260 square kilometers, making it the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks, characterized by old Precambrian metamorphic rocks that date back significantly.
What is presently Lake Mburo National Park was initially designated as a regulated hunting area in 1933 and subsequently elevated to a game reserve in 1963. The region was mostly inhabited by the Banyankore pastoralists, referred to as Bahima, who persisted in herding their cattle and other livestock within the reserve until it was designated as a National Park in 1983 by the Obote administration. The decision to elevate Lake Mburo reserve to National Park status was partially aimed at penalizing the Banyankore, who were perceived to be aiding the anti-Obote insurgents. The displaced pastoralists received no compensation for the forfeited grazing ground, nor were they assisted with resettlement, prompting many to protest the establishment of the park. This occurred during the Operation Bonanza slaughter, which resulted in the deaths of 300,000 individuals, leading to the fragmentation of the rangeland beyond the park into small parcels and subsistence plots.
Origin of lake mburo national park
The park’s genesis is rooted in the tale of two brothers, Mburo and Kigarama, who resided in the low-lying savannah plains, hence rendering the area historically known as Kaaro Karungi. One night, Kigarama dreamt of receiving a considerable amount of rain that would result in floods and the destruction of their property. Kigarama shared the dream with his brother, but Mburo dismissed it. Due to the reverence for dreams in African civilization, Kigarama chose to depart from the location and ascended the overlooking hills, leaving his brother behind. Ultimately, the aspiration was realized, resulting in a deluge that led to floods and the submersion of Mburo along with his possessions, thereby bestowing his name upon the hills in honor of his brother.This narrative might be conveyed to you during the Lake Mburo safaris or your visit to Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda
Ecological system
Lake Mburo National Park, a unique location, boasts a large ecosystem where nature predominates in its western portion. It contains rocky ridges, forested gorges, and narrow strips of verdant riparian woods, among other features. Similar to several lakes, this has contributed to the creation of picturesque landscapes, hence drawing many travelers to explore the park’s hidden gems. Lake Mburo National Park is a unique location that hosts 68 species of mammals, albeit it lacks elephants and lions. The absence of lions allows tourists to approach the animals freely and engage with them closely. The park features a diverse array of birds soaring in the skies, readily observable to visitors. Among the avian species observed in this park are the uncommon shoebill, stork, African finfoot, pelican, and heron, among others.
Lake Mburo National Park is endowed with trees that serve as habitats for the park’s fauna and contribute to the influence and production of rainfall, which supplies water. This facilitates the completion of chores requiring water in the park, serving as drinking water for the animals, so enhancing their well-being and appearance. The park is abundant in acacia trees, valleys, and grasslands featuring many grass species that sustain the wildlife. It contains both seasonal and permanent marshes where papyrus flourishes, which is utilized to produce various goods that may be marketed to enhance the government’s income.
Accommodation in Lake Mburo National Park
Lake MburoLake Mburo offers some of the finest and most economical accommodations among all the national parks in Uganda. The lodges are classified into categories of Luxury, Mid-Range, and Budget. Rwonyo Rest Camp and Eagles Nest Lodge are among the inexpensive accommodations in Lake Mburo. Mid-tier accommodations comprise Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Mantana Tented Camp, and Arcadia Cottages. Lake Mburo National Park has luxury hotels, such as Mihingo Lodge and Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, for individuals seeking uniqueness. All the lodges provide exemplary services, and access to Lake Mburo National Park is convenient due to their proximity to the park.
Recreational Pursuits in the Park
Lake Mburo National Park Activities
Lake Mburo Activities undertaken by a traveler during a safari to Lake Mburo National Park include a boat tour, which provides an opportunity to observe various bird species and wildlife, such as crocodiles and hippos. Game drives and wildlife observation are essential activities that you will not overlook during your trip. Game drives are classified as either day or night excursions. Night game drives are offered for individuals who may have missed the daytime excursions. Another activity that may pique your interest is sport fishing. Travelers who fish relish this activity, often accompanied by locals to observe local practices. They have the opportunity to acquire knowledge from the indigenous population. Travelers can participate in cultural tours to learn from and interact with the locals. The indigenous people of Lake Mburo are the Bahima, who demonstrate to tourists their methods of rearing the renowned Ankole cow, processing milk and yogurt, their lifestyle, and share narratives about the national park. Travelers visit the Igongo Cultural Centre to gain insights into the culture of Western Uganda. Additional activities that will captivate travelers include hiking and nature excursions, bird watching, and horseback riding, among others.
Lake Mburo National Park wildlife
Lake Mburo National Park is renowned for its impala, however it also boasts a diverse array of animals, including zebra, eland, buffalo, oribi, defassa waterbuck, leopard, hyena, hippo, and reedbuck. The park provides numerous creatures for travelers to appreciate throughout their safari. The park is home to various bird species, including the renowned shoebill, stork, African finfoot, pelican, heron, and Crested Crane, among others. A traveler cannot overlook observing various bird species and animals due to the park’s advantageous location and optimal orientation.
Cultural Excursions/Safaris
In addition to the animals and primary features of Lake Mburo National Park, the surrounding region provides numerous opportunities for cultural visits. Lake Mburo National Park is situated in the Ankole sub-region, recognized for its cattle herders and agriculturalists. Travelers seeking to understand the culture will be introduced to the Igongo Cultural Centre. Igongo Cultural Centre: The renowned Igongo Cultural Centre is situated 4 kilometers from the Sanga Gate of Lake Mburo National Park. The center is a historical site occupied by the Banyakitara, which includes the Bakiga, Banyankole, Batooro, and Banyoro. The Centre is a cultural museum commonly referred to as Erijukiro. At the Ingongo Cultural Center, you will acquire extensive knowledge about Ankole culture, including attire, cuisine, Ankole cattle, and further aspects. Travelers must not overlook this cultural trip.
Accessing Lake Mburo National Park
Accessing Lake Mburo National Park is straightforward, as it is one of the closest national parks to the capital city, Kampala. The predominant method of visiting the park is via vehicle transportation. The journey from Entebbe to Lake Mburo takes around 4 hours and 20 minutes, covering a distance of 290 kilometers. One can travel from Kampala to Lake Mburo in approximately four hours, covering a distance of 245 kilometers.
Another individual may choose to fly from Entebbe-Kajjansi to Mbarara airport, a journey that will last less than one hour. This is the most convenient and rapid mode of transportation.