Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest Savannah Park in Uganda covering the surface area of 370km .Its lies on the altitude between 1220m-1828 above the sea level. It forms part of the 50 km long wetland system linked by the swamp and actually its wetland habitat comprises of 20% of the parks total surface area. It underlies the ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which date back more than 500 million years.
Its located on the main high way of Kampala Mbarara in the western Uganda which is approximately 228km from Kampala. The park is between Masaka and Mbarara with two entry gates that is Nshara gate which is 13kms from Lyantonde and Sanga gate which is 27kms from Lyantonde. The park used to be much bigger than its current size but the government established some cattle ranches around the parks and its corridors and this continues to threaten its existence because of encroachment and poaching.
It’s a home to over 350 species of birds and papyrus which hides sitatunga antelope, red, black and yellow papyrus gonolek, and mammals including Zebras, Giraffes, impalas, Elands, buffaloes, Hippos, water buck, topi, reed buck, oribi, defassa, hyena and leopard among others.
Lake Mburo national park is a transit park because it connects most of the national parks found in the western part of the country
Activities that can be carried in this park
Boat cruise: The Eastern shores of lake Mburo can be discovered by boat trip starting from the jetty at the lake side near Rwonyo rest camp. This activity lasts for 2 hours and while on the trip, you will be able to see schools of hippos in shallow waters and crocodiles along the shores. You are likely to sight a variety of bird species including pelicans, herons, fish eagles, the rare shoe bill
Game drives: These can be done in the morning, evening and a night using sport lights. There are several trucks that can lead you to where you can sight a number of wild animals. Game drives were made more appealing after translocation of giraffes from Murchison falls national park to Lake Mburo national park. Other animals include; leopards, hyenas, buffaloes, sitatunga antelopes among others.
Horseback safaris: This activity is operated by Mihingo lodge to explore grassy ridges in the Eastern part of the park.
Mountain biking: This is normally done from Nshara gate into the national park and its operated by Rwakobo rock and Leopard trail rest camp.
The lake side track climbs into Kigarama hill which provides panoramic view of Lake Mburo. This lake and seven more can equally be seen from dramatic Kazuma look out which lies at the top of a rather steep truck accessed from the Ruroko track.
