Lake Mburo National Park is a very special place; every part of it is alive with variety, interest and colour. It contains an extensive area of wetland and also harbours several species of mammals and birds found nowhere else in Uganda.
Its sculptured landscape, with rolling hills and idyllic lake shores has a varied mosaic of habitats; forest galleries, seasonal and permanent swamps, rich acacia-woodland and grassy valleys which all support a wealth of wildlife.
At 370 square km, Lake Mburo National Park is small in comparison with many other East African parks, but with its rich variety of habitats; dry hillsides, rocky outcrops, bushy thickets, open and wooded savannah, forest, lakes and swamps, it is home to a surprising diversity of plants and animals.
Lake Mburo is the only park in Uganda with eland, impala and klipspringer. It is also home to the largest population of zebra in Uganda estimated at about 5,000 and probably contains the highest concentration of leopard found anywhere in Uganda. Buffalo, water-buck, topi and warthog are also very common.
Reed-buck and oribi can also be spotted in the open valleys. Hyena, genet, bush pigs and white tailed mongoose are often seen on night game drives.
At the centre of the Park is Lake Mburo, which together with 14 other lakes in the area, forms part of a wetland system. This system is linked by a swamp some 50 km long, fed by the Ruzizi River on the western side. Five lakes, of which the largest is Lake Mburo, occur within the Park’s boundary.
Lake Mburo is also home to a huge number of African fish eagles. There is a large variety of savannah and water birds including some spectacular species like Narina trogon, Ross’s turaco, African green-pigeon and the bare-faced go-away-bird often seen around Mihingo Lodge.
If you ask one of our guides you can try and track one of the Narina trogon’s. When you hear their calls a guide can take you close to the area it is calling and with a bit of luck you can spot this very elusive and beautiful little bird. With a recorded bird call it is quite easy to see them as they will come to see who has invaded their territory.
Forest walk – Rubanga Forest
This forest offer a variety of conducive habitat for birds therefore a very attractive place for bird watchers with over 40 bird species recorded.
Boat trips
The lake is rich with a diversity of animal and plant species which can only be viewed clearly if you take a boat trip the crocodiles, Hippopotamuses and birds like Pelicans, Black Crake, Heron, Cormorant, and Fish Eagle. The duration of each boat cruise is negotiable with the park management.
Nature trail
Offers the visitor a chance to admire nature they have opportunity to walk in the circuit at their pace in company of an armed guide.
Fishing
About six species of fish are found on Lake Mburo the common one being Tilapia (Oreoclcroomisleacosti) but others include lung fish, mud fish, Haplochromes.
Using hooks visitors can spend some time catching fish, a shade is provided at the campsite to ensure maximum relaxation for visitors while at the lake.
The park has accommodation facilities there are tents at Rwonyo park headquarters, there are also three public campsites. A more luxury accommodation is provided at the Mantana Luxury Tented Camp and an upmarket place to stay is Mihingo Lodge.