DESTINATION GUIDE // UGANDA
Lake Mburo National Park
Uganda smallest savanna park, the only one with zebra and impala and close enough to Kampala for a first night stop.
370 km2
PARK AREA
Zebra
ONLY UGANDAN PARK
Walking
SAFARIS ALLOWED
240 km
FROM KAMPALA
350+
BIRD SPECIES
GENERAL OVERVIEW
About Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo is Uganda’s smallest savannah park at 370 square kilometres, sitting in the west of the country about four hours from Kampala on the main road to Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth. That position is why most people stop here: it breaks a long drive and it does so with something genuinely different.
Fourteen lakes lie within and around the park, five of them inside the boundary, fed by wetlands rather than a single river. Between them run acacia woodland, rocky ridges and open valley grassland.
Two things set it apart from the larger Ugandan parks. It is the only place in the country with a substantial zebra population, and it is the only Ugandan park where impala occur, which is how the nearby city of Mbarara takes its name. It is also the easiest park in Uganda to leave the vehicle: walking safaris, horseback riding and night drives are all permitted here.
WILDLIFE
What You Will Actually See
Zebra. Burchell’s zebra in large, easily found herds. This is the main reason to come and they are not present in Murchison or Queen Elizabeth.
Impala. The only Ugandan park where they occur.
Antelope. Topi, eland, which is Africa’s largest antelope, defassa waterbuck, bushbuck, oribi, klipspringer on the rocky outcrops and reedbuck in the wetlands.
Buffalo, warthog and hippo. All common, with hippo pods and crocodile in Lake Mburo itself.
Predators. Leopard and hyena are present but seldom seen. Lion were absent for decades and a small number have returned naturally, though sightings remain rare. There are no elephant, though individuals have begun moving back into the area.
Birds. Around 350 species. The wetlands are the best place in Uganda for the papyrus specialists after the Nile delta, with shoebill occasionally recorded, plus red faced barbet, which is found nowhere else in the country.
ACTIVITIES
What You Can Do Here
Walking safaris. Guided walks with an armed ranger, two to three hours, generally on the Rwonyo ridge or towards the salt lick. This is the single best reason to stop here, since walking is not permitted in the larger savannah parks.
Horseback safaris. Run by Mihingo Lodge, from one hour to a full day. Riding among zebra and eland is an unusual thing to be able to do in East Africa and works for both novices and experienced riders.
Boat trips on Lake Mburo. Two hours among hippo, crocodile and waterbirds, with a good chance of African finfoot and malachite kingfisher.
Night drives. Leaving after dark with a spotlight for leopard, hyena, bushbaby, genet and porcupine. One of the few Ugandan parks that permits them.
Cycling. Guided mountain bike routes through the acacia woodland, again unusual for an African park.
Rubanga Forest. A small tract of closed canopy forest on the western shore, worth a guided walk for forest birds.
Igongo Cultural Centre. On the main road just outside the park, covering Ankole history and the long horned cattle the region is known for.
WHY VISIT
What Lake Mburo Is Known For
Lake Mburo earns its place by being the opposite of the big parks. It is small enough to cover in a day, and the activities put you outside the vehicle, on foot or on a horse, which changes the experience entirely.
It is also the only place in Uganda to see zebra and impala, so for travellers building a country wide itinerary it fills two obvious gaps.
And it is where it is. Almost everyone driving between Entebbe and the western parks passes the gate, so a night here converts eight hours of road into two shorter days with a game drive in between.
What it is not is a Big Five destination. There are no elephant and lion sightings are rare, so it works as a supporting stop rather than a headline one.
ENTRY FEES
Park Fees And Practicalities
Park entry for foreign non-residents is 40 US dollars per person per day, set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Children aged five to fifteen pay a reduced rate and under fives enter free. Tickets are valid 24 hours from entry.
Guided walking safaris are around 30 dollars per person, boat trips about 30 dollars and night drives about 40. Horseback riding is run privately by Mihingo Lodge and priced by the hour, from around 45 dollars.
Vehicle entry fees apply on top for foreign registered vehicles. Everything is booked and itemised in advance so nothing is settled at the gate.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
When To Go
June to August and December to February, the dry seasons. Animals concentrate at the lakes, grass is short and the tracks are firm. Best for game viewing and walking.
March to May, the long rains. Green and quiet, with excellent birding as migrants arrive. Some tracks become slippery but the park is small enough that this rarely spoils a stop.
September to November, the short rains. Afternoon showers with clear mornings and good value.
Because most visits are a single night on the way west, the practical answer is that Lake Mburo works in any season. The activities that make it worthwhile, walking and riding, are comfortable year round.
GETTING THERE
How To Reach The Park
By road from Entebbe or Kampala. Around 240 km to the Nshara or Sanga gate, three and a half to four hours on good tarmac. The park entrance is only a short distance off the main Mbarara highway.
From Bwindi. Four to five hours, which is why Lake Mburo is the standard overnight on the drive back to Entebbe.
From Queen Elizabeth. Three to four hours via Mbarara.
Access inside the park. Tracks are graded and a 4×4 is advisable but not essential in the dry season.
The Igongo Cultural Centre and the Equator crossing at Kayabwe both sit on this route and are the usual stops on the drive.
WHERE TO STAY
Lodges And Camps
Mihingo Lodge. Ten tented rooms on a rocky outcrop above the plains, with an infinity pool overlooking a waterhole and the only horse riding operation in the park. The standout property.
Mburo Safari Lodge. Comfortable cottages near the Nshara gate, mid to upper range.
Rwakobo Rock. Built into a granite outcrop just outside the park, relaxed and consistently well reviewed.
Eagle’s Nest. Simple tents on a hill with wide views, good value.
Rwonyo Rest Camp. Basic bandas and camping run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority inside the park.
One night is the norm here. Two makes sense if you want to ride, walk and take the boat without rushing.
TRAVEL TIPS
What To Know Before You Go
Set expectations. This is a small park with no elephant and rare lion. Travellers who arrive expecting the Serengeti are disappointed, and those who come for a walk among zebra are not.
Walking safety. Walks go with an armed ranger. Buffalo and hippo are the animals to respect and the ranger sets the pace and distance.
Ticks. The acacia woodland carries them. Long trousers tucked into socks and a check at the end of a walk.
Tsetse flies. Present in places. Avoid dark blue and black clothing.
Malaria. Prophylaxis is necessary and a yellow fever certificate is required for entry to Uganda.
Riding. Mihingo takes both beginners and experienced riders, but book ahead since horse numbers are limited.
TOURS WITH US
Safaris With Sola Safari Travels
We use Lake Mburo as the pivot on western Uganda itineraries, one night on the way out or the way back, which turns a nine hour drive into two comfortable days. An afternoon game drive, a morning walk or ride, and you are on the road again by mid morning.
For travellers with more time, two nights lets you add the boat and a night drive. Walks, rides and boat departures are all booked before you arrive, and the drive runs in a private 4×4 with one driver guide throughout.
SAFARI PACKAGES
Safaris That Include Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo breaks the long drive west, which is why it appears on most Uganda itineraries. All departures are private.
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
4 Days Uganda Gorilla Trek
Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, with a night at Lake Mburo on the drive in from Entebbe.
From $1,890 per person
6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS
6 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees Uganda
Gorillas in Bwindi and chimpanzees in Kibale, with Queen Elizabeth in between.
From $2,650 per person
10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS
10 Days Ultimate East Africa
Amboseli, the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater at an unhurried pace.
From $2,300 per person
KEY QUESTIONS
Lake Mburo Safari, Key Questions
Yes, as a break on the drive between Entebbe and the western parks. It is the only place in Uganda to see zebra and impala, and the only savannah park where you can walk, ride a horse or cycle. It is not a Big Five destination and does not try to be.
No elephant, though individuals have begun moving back into the area. A small number of lions have returned naturally but sightings are rare. Leopard and hyena are present and seldom seen. The draw here is zebra, eland, impala and the activities rather than predators.
40 US dollars per person per day for foreign non-residents, with reduced rates for children five to fifteen and free entry under five. Walking safaris are around 30 dollars, boat trips about 30 and night drives about 40.
Yes. Guided walking safaris with an armed ranger run two to three hours, and Mihingo Lodge operates horseback safaris from one hour to a full day. Both are unusual in East Africa and are the main reason to stay rather than just drive through.
One night is the norm and it works. Two nights lets you fit a walk, a ride, the boat and a night drive without compressing them into a single afternoon.
Around 240 km, three and a half to four hours on tarmac, with the gate a short distance off the main Mbarara road. From Bwindi it is four to five hours.
EXPLORE MORE
Pair Lake Mburo With Other Destinations
The park sits on the main road west, with the savannah and gorilla parks a few hours further on.
Your Lake Mburo Safari Starts Here
Tell us your dates and group size. We will reply within 24 hours with a tailor made proposal and a clear price.
TAILOR MADE SAFARI
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Phone: +254 736 992 608
Email: info@solasafaritravels.com
