Lake Mburo National Park in Kiruhura District – Uganda

Lake Mburo National Park is one of the many parks/nature preserves in Uganda. Its beautiful scenery and diverse wildlife have turned it into one of the most visited sites in Africa.

Location and How to Get to This Specific Site

The park is located 19 mi (30 km) to the east of Mbarara. This is the biggest city in the region. The distance is about 240 kilometers (150 mi) to the west of Kampala. These distances are by road. You can get there by car or taxi.

What to See There

The park covers an area of 100 sq mi. It is the smallest of the Savannah parks, but its features make up for the small size. The wildlife is incredibly varied. There are more than 300 types of birds in the site.

There are numerous mammals in the area too. These include buffaloes, impala and zebras. The park is also famous for its tent facilities. There are also camping grounds for outdoor enthusiasts.

The park management will let you explore the forest with a ranger. The Rubanga Forest is not large, but it is a genuine forest. Different types of plants, trees and shrubs can be seen there.

History

During the 1890s, the area around the Lake Mburo National Park was called Nshara. Very few people settled there due to the presence of dangerous animals. It also used to be the hunting ground of the king of Ankole.

Over time however, the site would become widely known for the diverse animals that frequented it. As tourism in Uganda grew, the government decided to preserve the land.

Cost

A one day/night stay costs $30 for adults and $15 for children (5 to 15). The vehicle fees are 20,000 Ushs (registered Ugandan Saloon cars). The fee is 30,000 Ushs for minibuses, 4WDs and pickups.

Other Info

The Kimbla-Mantana African Safaris have luxury tent camps in the park. This is at the Lake Mburo Tented Camp. There is also balloon tourism available. There are also boat rides in the park. Cruising the lakes will give you a better perspective of the surroundings and the wildlife.

There are trails you can explore with a guide. You may go through the circuit in your own pace. Exploring the forest will let you see unique animal species.

Visitors to Lake Mburo National Park should not miss the lakes in it. This is the best place to see water birds, crocodiles and other creatures.