The small but lovely Lake Mburo National Park is conveniently adjacent to the road that links Kampala to the western Ugandan parks. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks and is surrounded by more than 500 million year old Precambrian metamorphic rocks. In addition to zebras, impalas, elands, buffalo, Oribi, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hippo, hyena, topi, and reedbuck, lake Mburo national park is home to 350 different kinds of birds good for Uganda Bird watching .
Lake Mburo is one of 14 lakes in the region that make up a 50 km long wetland system that is connected by a marsh. Within the boundaries of the park are five of these lakes. This sustains a healthy population of buffalo, warthogs, bush pigs, and hippopotamuses, which were once covered by open savanna. Due to the absence of elephants to control the growth, Lake Mburo National Park today has a significant amount of wood. In the western portion of the park, papyrus swamps and slender bands of luxuriant riparian woodland flank several of the lakes, while the savanna is broken up by steep peaks and forested gorges.
Wildlife in Lake Mburo National Park
Despite recent absences of elephant and lion sightings, the park still has a robust population of wildlife, including a sizable topi, bushbuck, Oribi, duiker, Defassa waterbuck, buffalo, warthog, and hippos in the lakes. Aside from the isolated northern parks, Lake Mburo is the only area in Uganda to view Burchell’s zebra, eland, and the only population of impala in Uganda.
Birdlife in Lake Mburo national park
Lake Mburo is home to over 300 different bird species, making it the finest location in Uganda for avian species that are related to acacias. The papyrus gonolek, the blue-headed coucal, the white-winged and papyrus yellow warblers, as well as other unique papyrus bird species, call the permanent and seasonal wetland areas that connect the lakes home.
Weather and Climate in Lake Mburo national park
Between Lake Victoria and the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Mburo National Park receives an average of 800 mm of rain annually. Due to its proximity to the equator, the area experiences a bimodal rainfall pattern, with the long rains taking place from March to June and the short rains from September to December.
Although the rains are sporadic and unpredictable, they typically occur between April and November. The start of the rainy season in March or September is actually the ideal time to visit the park. The daily range ranges from 14° C to 32° C, with the average temperature reported being 26° C. The hottest months are July and August, but December and January can still be very warm.
No matter what time of year it is, it can get fairly chilly in the evenings or on rainy days. On a bright day, however, it will always be hot and will feel even hotter during the rainy season due to the increased humidity. The weather in Lake Mburo is generally close to ideal, with warm but not oppressively hot days and slightly cooler evenings.
Topography in Lake Mburo national park
Between 1219 and 1828 meters above sea level, the park is located. Tall hills and rugged, eroded ridges characterize the park’s western region; vast valleys support a forest found nowhere else. The vast, flat-bottomed valleys that cut through the rolling, forested hills in the eastern section are periodically flooded and empty into the swamps and lakes. Part of the western boundary of the park is formed by the south-east-flowing Ruizi River. The adjoining marshes and Lake Mburo eventually empty into Lake Victoria.
Geology in Lake Mburo national park
The Precambrian metamorphic rocks that make up the “basement system” are exceedingly old (more than 500 million years old) and are found beneath the park. Heavy clay and loam soils make up the majority of Lake Mburo’s soils. Despite being surrounded by lakes, Lake Mburo National Park has very little ground water because the heavy clay soils prevent any water from penetrating very far into the earth.
Tourist activities in Lake Mburo national park
Several activities can be carried out in Lake Mburo National Park to make your time there warm and memorable. A few of these activities include:
Walk through the Rubanga Forest
With over 40 bird species documented, this forest provides a variety of habitats that are favorable for birds, making it a particularly popular location for bird watching. You can go for a walk in the forest and see a variety of plants and animals.
Horseback riding
A great way to explore the animals inside the lake Mburo national park is through horse safari. You can hear so much more without engine noise, and you truly feel a part of nature. When riding a horse, you frequently have the opportunity to observe the more reticent animals. If you’re extremely lucky, buffalo and eland may be visible. Additionally, you might encounter some cats, like leopards. This was a rather uncommon sighting, nevertheless. Warthog, topi, impala, duiker, bushbuck, waterbuck, and zebra are almost always present in combination. The quantity and diversity of animals you observe depend on the season and the weather, as they graze in the areas with the best grass.
As opposed to a game drive, viewing wildlife from a horse is far more tranquil and offers a whole new perspective. Zebras approach you to inspect the unusual relative with no stripes. Even the elands, which are often quite timid, give the horses a curious glance without scurrying away. You decide your own route, and you can even dismount and go for a walk while viewing the wildlife up close.
Canoeing and boating safari
Only a boat ride can give you a clear picture of the lake’s diverse array of animal and plant species. Hippopotamuses, crocodiles, pelicans, black crabs, herons, cormorants, and fish eagles are some of the wildlife that can be seen in Lake Mburo boat riding. The length of each boat tour is a matter for discussion with the park administration. Countless warthogs, elephants, and buffalo can also be seen when out on a boat ride along the lake’s edge. You can choose from a variety of boat experiences, including sunrise to midday, afternoon to sunset cruises.
Nature trail
This allows tourists to appreciate nature while also giving them the option of touring the circuit at their leisure with an armed guide. You are welcome to stroll in the park or jog with a ranger’s assistance. It’s incredible that you encountered several animals while on a safari.
Fishing safaris
One of the most popular activities at Lake Mburo is spot fishing. On Lake Mburo, there are about six different species of fish. Tilapia (Oreoclcroomisleacosti) is the most prevalent, but there are also lung fish, mud fish, and haplochromes. Visitors can spend some time fishing with hooks at the lake, and a shade structure is available at the campsite to further promote relaxation.
Dame drives
You want to spend more time getting to know the park? Try going on a game drive in this wonderful park. You may go on both day and night game drives, which will give you the chance to view buffalo wallowing in the mud, as well as zebra, impala, topi, bush buck, reed buck, Oribi, warthog, and a variety of birds. If your park entry has expired and you’d want to take a short drive, a game drive outside the park is helpful.
Accommodations: where to stay
There are a variety of accommodation options available in the park, including hotels, tent camping, and three public campsites. The Mantana Luxury Tented Camp offers a more opulent lodging option; the semi-luxury lodge has nice amenities; and the Mihingo Lodge is a high-end lodging option because it has excellent standards. You can also stay at a moderately priced establishment like Arcadia Lodges or Mburo Safari Lodge. One of the affordable options is Eagle’s Nest Lodge, which offers tented cottages with bathrooms. The Uganda Wildlife Authority-run Rwonyo Rest Camp also has affordable lodging options.
How to Get There
From Kampala, The Park is 228 kilometers (142 meters) west of Kampala and is situated in the country’s western region. The distance is also about 3 to 4 hours. The distance between Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, and Entebbe International Airport is 46 kilometers (29 meters). This is most likely where you will enter Uganda.
