Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park travel Guide
Lake Mburo national park was named so because of the presence of Lake Mburo. The adorableness of this park is compressed on 260km2 close to the highway that joins Kampala to western Uganda via Masaka. 20% of this park is occupied by wetland habitats. Lake Mburo national park is a natural habitat for 350 species of birds and mammals for example impalas, eland, buffalo, zebra, oribi, leopard, hippo, reedbuck, topi, defassa waterbuck among others.
It is about 228 km from Kampala city to the park and would take approximately four and a h alf hours by road transport if you make stopovers at the equator at Kayabwe and to the drum makers at Mpambire trading centre. The park has two main gates; Sanga gate which can be accessed through Sanga trading centre, from Mbarara and the second gate is Nshara . Both gates are about 2km far from the park headquarters in Rwonyo. You are required to pay US$40,US$30 and UGX20,000 if you are foreign nonresident, foreign resident and East African citizen respectively and gain an entrance permit to the park. This permit is valid for a day.
Activities done in Lake Mburo national park
Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
This park is a natural habitat for about 313 bird species. Birding is more exciting around the swampy valleys of Miriti and Warukiri plus the Rwonyo camp roadsides and at the jetty. Rubanga forest also keeps a population of about 40 species of birds. Common bird species are Brown-chested lapwing, Grey crowned crane, Red-faced barbet, Coqui francolin, Emerald-spotted wood, Common quails, Greenwood Hoopoe, Nubian woodpecker, Black bellied bustard, Red-necked spur fowl, Brown parrot, African grey hornbill, Finfoot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird and much more.
Birding is done at a fixed fee of US$30 for foreign nonresidents and foreign residents and UGX10,000 for East African citizens and an expert ranger in birding is provided.
Nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park
Having a nature walk at Rwonya with the guidance of a ranger to the salt lick enables you to see various animals that attracted by the salty rocks. Walking to the western edge of the lake for about 2 hours in the morning increases chances of meeting animals like hyenas and hippos as they get back to relax after feeding. When you reach the peak of the hill, here you dramatically watch 9 of the 14 great lakes in the region. There are chances of also seeing giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, eland, topi and zebras.
It is advisable to have boots, long trousers and long sleeved shirts to be safe against thorns and bites against snakes, tse tse flies, mosquitoes, ants and other insects. It is also necessary to pack at least two litres of water and some food or snacks to cater for lunch when relaxing at the hill while viewing the magnificent beauty of the park.
The nature walk in Lake Mburo national park goes for US$15 for foreign non residents and foreign residents and UGX10,000 for East African citizens.
Game drives in Lake Mburo National Park
Participating in game drives an Lake Mburo national park aims at spotting animals like lions, Burchell Zebras, eland, giraffes, and impalas which are not in any other park in Uganda. The day time game drive permit costs US$20 for foreign residents and non residents and UGX20,000 for East African citizens. There is an alternative game drive that can be conducted at night at a fee of US$30 per person for the foreign residents and non residents and UGX50,000 for East African citizens. The night game drive hikes the chances of sighting nocturnal in this park such as lions, bush babies among others.
Boat cruise on Lake Mburo
A lot of interesting animals are definitely seen around the lake if you go for the boat ride. Expect to see crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, buffalos, otters and birds such as African fish eagles, blue headed weavers, malachite kingfishers, blue headed weavers, Herons, pelicans, Red-necked spur, African grey hornbill, Temminck’s courser, Black-bellied bustard.
Boat ride has a fixed fee of US$30 for foreign non residents and residents and UGX30,000 for East African citizens.
Cycling in Lake Mburo National Park travel Guide
The experience of riding around the park with bicycles is even more spectacular. You are guided to ride around closer to animals like antelopes, zebras, waterbucks, topi. The bikes provided are of high quality and strong enough to handle the area. If the day comes with luck and animals like hyenas and elands are sighted while cycling, it creates remarkable wild experiences. Before going for the activity, you need to carry water and snacks. A permit of US$30 is secured for foreign residents and nonresidents and UGX30,000 for East African citizens interested in cycling around the park.
Fishing in Lake Mburo National Park
This is one of the most exciting activities to do in Lake Mburo national park. The park has five lakes within its boundaries and Lake Mburo is the largest and fishermen from the surrounding communities come to it for fishing. However, here sport fishing is mainly done at Mazinga and tourists who plan to engage in the activity have to seek permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority and will carry their own fishing equipment. There are six species of fish and the common one is tilapia.
A permit for sport fishing in Lake Mburo national park costs US$15 valid for 1 day and US$25 for 4 days.
Horseback riding in Lake Mburo National Park travel Guide
In Uganda, horseback riding is only limited to Lake Mburo national park. It gives a better view of the game and other features in the park. This activity is pushed by Mihingo lodge, one of the safari lodges in the park that set the rates of this experience depending on the amount you will spend with the horse.
The Igongo cultural centre
This cultural centre is just 4km from Sanga gate, and 12km from Mbarara town along Kampala road. It is a historical place for a group of people traditionally known as the Banyakitara; Banyankole, Batooro, Bakiga and Banyoro. It has amuseum that is positioned on the former palace of the king of the Banyankole. Most premises here are grass thatched and there is guide to take you through the museum and inform you about the ancient lifestyle of their ancestors. There is also a restaurant which prepares one of the tastiest local foods and roasted goat.
Adventure in the wild safaris is tour operator specializing in Bwindi Gorilla and Uganda wildlife safaris. We offer a wide range of Gorilla trekking and wildlife safari packages at affordable rates with a focus on delivering high quality services for all travelers who book their trips with us.
