Lake Mburo National Park is located in the Kiruhura district in the western region of Uganda. The park was founded in 1986, covering 370 square kilometers. Lake Mburo National Park hosts over 300 bird species and can be accessed using the Masaka–Mbarara road for about 4 hours with a distance of 253km. The park is known as a home for zebras and has well-developed acacia woodland.
Lake Mburo National Park AREAS OF INTEREST
Lake Mburo: This is a home mostly for crocodiles and hippopotamuses; however , there are other different animals and birds on its shores, like the buffaloes, pied kingfishers, African fish eagles , blue-headed weavers, and shoebills, among others, that come to feed.
Rubanga forest; This is found in the western part of the park with a closed canopy and is a good sighting area for the visitors as they are having a nature walk. In addition, there are varieties of forest birds that are found here, like the double-toothed barbet, Harrier hawk, green pigeon, and narina trogon.
Rwonyo Rest Camp: This is a starting point for the nature walks, game drives, and quad biking, as well as shops that sell handicrafts and books. Also, tourists are being briefed from the center, and those who desire to camp are also directed to great campsites.
Game tracks: There are various tracks on the eastern part of the park where a variety of animals and birds can be seen in the savannah and grassy valley, such as the impala track and the zebra track, which connects to the Ruroko track. In the southern part of the park, there is the lakeside track that mostly has the bushbuck and bush duikers.
ANIMALS FOUND IN LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
The park is a home to 68 mammals and 350 bird species. Burchell’s zebra, hippopotamus, impala, warthog, African buffalo, hyenas, common eland, leopards, lions, genets, civets, jackals, impalas, antelopes, bushbuck, crocodiles, oribis, and reedbuck.
Birds.
Shoebill stork, African grey hornbill, red-faced barbet, African scops owl, saddle-billed stork, papyrus yellow warbler, African finfoot, brown-chested lapwing, African wattled lapwing
ACTIVITIES;
Game driving. The park has different trails that are allocated and followed while on a game drive where varieties of animals are viewed, like the impalas, zebras, antelopes, and bushbucks, to mention a few, like the Ruroko Track on the eastern side of the park and the Lakeside Track in the south. The park also has night game drives.
Birding. These can be viewed on Lake Mburo when they come to feed on the fish in the water, like kingfishers and shoebill storks.
Launch trips. This can be done for two hours on a boat in the eastern part of the park when the animals are feeding, like the crocodiles, fish eagles, hippopotamuses, and buffaloes.
Sport fishing. This is found at Mazinga, where visitors plan for fishing and come with their equipment to catch fish like tilapia, Nile perch, mudfish, and catfish, among others. The lake has 6 fish species that are commonly caught.
Horseback safaris: This activity is arranged at Mihingo Lodge, where the horse is exciting while viewing the animals like buffalo, warthog, topi, impala, waterbuck, and others with the help of park rangers for about 1-3 hours.
Guided nature walks. At the Rwonyo center, a guided walk with the ranger can lead you to the salty rocks where animals are attracted to go and lick the salt on them. The walk can also be carried out in the Rubanga forest, exploring the different ecosystems.
Boat cruise. The cruise takes place on Lake Mburo, which gives an amazing view of the flora and fauna of the park alongside the wildlife, such as crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and bird species like pelicans and kingfishers.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Muhingo Lodge. This is a luxury lodge located in the eastern part of the park. There are various activities that are carried out around the lodge, which include game drives and boat trips. It takes 4 hours to reach the lodge from Kampala. The lodge offers horseback safaris, has a restaurant, a well-stocked bar with various beverages, and bikes that are used for bush biking.
Matana tented camp. This is a luxury lodge found within the park in the Mbarara district. It has 9 tents and a restaurant that serves different meals to the guests.
Lake Mburo Safari Lodge. This is a luxury found within the park premises with 9 cottages that are self-contained and one honeymoon cottage. This place is visited by animals like elands, impalas, and zebras.
Rwakobo rocks. This is a mid-range accommodation facility that is 1km from Nshara Gate. The lodge has 8 cottages and some activities that can be carried out while staying there, such as night game drives, nature walks, and biking.
Arcadia Cottages. These are mid-range, 2km away from the Rwonyo Park headquarters, and are within the park. They have 8 self-contained cottages, including the family cottages and double and single rooms. They have existing facilities that comprise a restaurant that prepares both international and local cuisine for the guests, a bar, and organized lunch boat cruises.
Rwonyo Rest Camp. This is a budget accommodation facility located in the park in Mbarara district near Nshara Gate, which is 2km from the park headquarters. They have bandas, tented rooms that are self-contained.