What animals can I see in Lake Mburo National Park?

Lake Mburo is home to 69 mammal species and 332 bird species, including zebras, giraffes, elands, buffaloes and several antelope species. It is the only park in Uganda with impalas, and the only one in western Uganda with Burchell's zebra and eland. Leopards and hyenas are present, and lions have recently been sighted again after years of absence.

How do I get to Lake Mburo National Park from Kampala?

Lake Mburo is about 228 km (roughly 3.5 hours by road) west of Kampala, on the main road toward Bwindi and the Rwandan border. The park has three entrance gates: Nshara Gate, Sanga Gate, and Kyanyanshara Gate.

Is Lake Mburo National Park worth visiting?

Yes. It is one of the few places in Uganda where you can safari on horseback or by boat, not just by vehicle, and its smaller size means closer, more intimate wildlife encounters than in larger parks.

What is the best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park?

The dry months (June-August and December-February) offer the best wildlife viewing, as animals gather near water sources. The wetter months (March-May and September-November) are better for birdwatching and come with discounted lodge rates.

Can I combine Lake Mburo with gorilla trekking in Bwindi?

Yes. Lake Mburo is commonly combined with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, or with Queen Elizabeth National Park for a longer wildlife circuit.

Is Lake Mburo National Park safe for tourists?

Yes. All game drives, nature walks, and forest walks are led by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger, and walking alone in the park is not permitted for safety reasons.

What activities are available in Lake Mburo National Park?

Game drives, boat cruises, guided nature walks, birdwatching, cultural visits with the local Banyankole community, and, through partner lodges, horseback safaris and mountain biking.

Facts about Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) stands as one of Uganda’s premier wildlife destinations, encompassing approximately 1,978 square kilometers. Situated in the Western Rift Valley, the park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, diverse ecosystems, and unique geological features. Established in 1952 and named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II following her visit in 1954, QENP offers an unparalleled safari experience.

The park is renowned as the second largest and one of the oldest national parks. It was declared a national park in 1952 together with Murchison falls national park which is the largest among all parks in Uganda and it is popular due to the mesmerizing Murchison falls. Queen Elizabeth national park occupies an area of approximately 78 square Kilometers. The park hosts unique, impressive diversities of wildlife animals, such as populations of antelopes, herds of African Cape buffaloes, huge numbers of elephants, Nile crocodiles, and hippos, colorful bird species, and wonderful numbers of butterfly species.

The first European to visit the park was known as Sir Henry Morton Stanley, who traveled to Queen Elizabeth national park in 1889. However, by the time he visited the park, there were few settlements in the place; therefore, Stanley did not recognize the presence of human settlement since it was a small population. He ended up calling the park a vast, empty land. On this note, the statement by Stanley marked the starting point for protecting the park.

Originally, before Queen Elizabeth National Park was designated as a national park, the land was occupied by the Basongola, who were African pastoralists. Unfortunately, the indigenous people relocated from the place due to the epidemic diseases of smallpox and sleeping sickness that forced them to vacate the place. However, both the Bunyoro and Buganda kingdoms used to raid the basongola cattle which was one of the reasons they had to leave this place.

The few people that remained behind resorted to fishing on Lake George; thus, they formed fishing villages like Katunguru, Kasenyi and Busonga. After the basongola tribe vacated this area, the opportunity for vegetation growth arose, leading to an increase in the animal population. In 1952, Uganda declared the place a national park.

Tour Activities to do at Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game drives

Queen Elizabeth offers undoubtedly the most captivating game drives for the visitors; it is home to the tree-climbing lions, large herds of elephants, buffaloes, Giraffes, Impalas, Uganda kobs, leopards, and predators like hyenas and wild dogs, among others. a game drive through this park with an experienced guide will paint lasting memories in your mind.

Boat cruise

You can have a wonderful boat cruise to the famous Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes Edward and George to catch up with the Hippos and Nile Crocodiles as they devour the helpless animals coming to drink water on the river banks. As you navigate through the channel on a boat, you’ll also spot numerous water birds actively hunting for fish.

Chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge

Kyambura gorge is one of the few places where one can easily find the Chimpanzees and track them at the lowest cost. Queen Elizabeth National Park specifically reserves the gorge for the habituated chimpanzees.

Birdwatching

Queen Elizabeth can also be described as a birders’ haven for the bird lovers; it has a recorded number of over 600 bird species found in this park. The bird is like the African broadbill, African skimmer, Chapin’s flycatcher, swamp flycatcher, brown snake eagle, blue-naped mousebird, pink-backed pelican, red-chested sunbird, grey-headed Kingfisher, papyrus Gonolek and blue-throated roller, among others.

Diverse Ecosystems and Wildlife

QENP boasts a remarkable variety of habitats, including savannah, wetlands, forests, and lakes. This ecological diversity supports over 600 bird species and 95 mammal species, making it one of Uganda’s most biodiverse parks. Notable mammals include elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos, and various antelope species. The park’s avian population features species such as the African fish eagle, shoebill stork, and flamingos.

Most of Queen Elizabeth comprises open grassland and savannah, which tends to be more moist and woody in the west than in the eastern part. Thorny Acacia dominates this savannah habitat, with the high concentration of candelabra shrub, a cactus that grows along the Kazinga channel and on the kasenyi plains.

The Kazinga Channel

The Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometer-long waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. It serves as a vital habitat for numerous species, including one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos and numerous Nile crocodiles. Boat cruises along the channel offer visitors close encounters with these animals and various bird species.

Kazinga Channel Boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Originally, about 1000 years ago, Queen Elizabeth national park never had any crocodiles within the Kazinga Channel canal. The crocodiles left the park as a result of volcanic eruptions that occurred in the enormous western rift valley. Their departure is believed to have filled Lake Albert with ash, which made the water toxic and resulted in the absence of all life in the lake, including crocodiles. However, after a while, crocodiles came back to the canal via the River Mubuku, and apparently they are one of the amazing tourist attractions in the park. The crocodiles play an important role in the ecosystem resilience in the park.

Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha

The Ishasha sector of QENP is famed for its tree-climbing lions. Unlike most lions, these have adapted to climbing fig trees, a behavior believed to help them avoid ground-level heat and insects. This unique trait makes Ishasha a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts.

Volcanic Landscapes and Crater Lakes

The park’s landscape is dotted with volcanic craters, remnants of past geological activity. The Katwe-Kikorongo explosion craters, formed by violent volcanic explosions over the last million years, are notable features. Some of these craters have evolved into saltwater lakes, such as Lake Katwe, where salt mining activities continue to this day.

Conclusion

Queen Elizabeth National Park stands as a testament to Uganda’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Its diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and unique geological features make it a premier destination for nature enthusiasts and travelers seeking an authentic Ugandan safari experience. By supporting sustainable tourism and conservation efforts, visitors contribute to the preservation of this invaluable national treasure.