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.

Walking safaris in Lake Mburo

Walking safaris in Lake Mburo.

The general opinion is that the safaris are about sitting in a car with a camera in hand and watching the wildlife pass by. However, how about going outside of the car and into the wild, to feel the grass under your feet, the animals rustling around, and nature as it is?

It is precisely what a walking safari at Lake Mburo National Park will provide. This park is located on the western side of Uganda and is one of the few sites in East Africa where one can comfortably walk through the wild. It is a crude, personal experience that can get you in touch with nature in a manner that has never been experienced during the game drive.

Lake Mburo is the ideal choice in case you are about to organise your next Uganda tour, or you just want something more thrilling than the common Uganda safaris.

Things to See and Do on a Walking Safari in Lake Mburo.

Encounter Wildlife Up Close

Lake Mburo is probably the smallest of all national parks in Uganda, but it is full of life. When walking, you are not a spectator; you are a constituent of the scenery. With the help of armed rangers, you can creep close to the zebras, impalas and elands in the open plains, as well as to the grazing warthogs.

You may even have the good luck to see giraffes with their necks stretched out to graze or buffalo wallowing at the edge of the water. Since the park does not have lions, it is safe to walk, and you will still have the excitement of being in the wild.

It is not like vehicle safaris, and each track, each footprint, and even each snapped twig has a story to tell. Guides read these signs and tell you about the secrets of the bush that you otherwise would have never known.

Exploration of Lake Mburo shores.

The lake that gives this park its name is a totally different view after passing through the plains. In this part, the speed becomes much slower due to the walk-through papyrus-lined shores where you observe the hippo bobbing in the water and the kingfishers flying over the water.

More than 350 species of birds are found in Lake Mburo, and this makes the lake a haven for birdwatchers. Watch out for the African finfoot, which is an endangered and difficult-to-find species commonly found in this area. When you are more of a photographer, the light of the morning and evening bouncing off the lake is a beautiful phenomenon worth capturing.

The Salt Lick Observation Point.

A walking safari in Lake Mburo includes a visit to a natural mineral deposit called the Rwonyo Salt Lick, where all kinds of animals are likely to be found. You may look on silently as great herds of antelope, buffalo, and, still further away, bushbucks come to take their daily intake of salt. It is one of the most favourable places to see wildlife in the park, particularly at sunrise, when the light is golden and soft, or at sunset.

Guided horseback or mountain biking safaris.

In case you are tired of the same old, you can also try horseback safari and mountain biking in Lake Mburo. These are guided by professional leaders who keep you safe and at the same time free to explore the savannah. Can you imagine riding zebras or riding past impalas on a bicycle? It is an exciting change of pace in the classic safari adventure.

Local culture around Lake Mburo.

Wildlife is not all that a walking safari is; it also introduces you to the people and culture of Uganda. The park is encircled by the communities of the Banyankole people, who have their Ankole long-horned cattle that are a source of pride and tradition in the area.

The Banyankole Cattle Herders.

Culturally, for the cultural tours, the tours would visit the homesteads nearby, and on these tours, you get to learn how the locals live harmoniously with nature. You will observe how they take proper care of their magnificent long-horned cattle whose horns measure as much as two metres. Most of Uganda’s tours combine these cultural experiences with Uganda walking safaris, which offer the tourist a balanced experience of wildlife and local culture.

Learn Traditional Practices.

There is also information about milk processing, ghee making and the traditional songs that are celebratory of the cattle culture. The Banyankole people are warm and very accommodating, making these visits very memorable and enriching.

Historical Context

There is also a very interesting story of Lake Mburo National Park. It is one that used to be a part of the ancestral grazing land and was subsequently gazetted as a controlled area. Current conservation activities are trying to find a balance between the protection of wildlife and the livelihood of the locals, a factor you will also value more when you are walking in the land.

Travel Tips.

Best Time to Visit

A walking safari is best done in Lake Mburo during the dry seasons, between June and August and between December and February. Pathways are less difficult to pass, and animals are likely to congregate at the water points, thus making it easier to see them.

Besides, the park is available throughout the year, and when it rains, the landscapes are made to become lush and green – the best place to be for photography and watching birds.

What to Pack

Neutral-coloured, light, breathable clothing.
A sunscreen and a wide hat.
Good hiking boots
Binoculars and a camera
A lot of water and insect repellent.

A small daypack would be handy to carry with you the necessities; you can also bring a light jacket, as it can be pretty cold in the mornings.

Budget and Accommodation

Lake Mburo accommodates each of the budgets with luxury lodges such as Mihingo Lodge (which has a famous infinity pool that overlooks the valley), mid-range tented lodges and low-end Bandas around Rwonyo.

The charges to enter parks are fair, and a walking safari is usually an additional charge, but it is worth the money since it is a unique experience. Several tour and travel companies in Uganda are able to offer tailor-made packages that involve transportation, guides and accommodation.

Hidden gems.

There is much more than walking safaris in Lake Mburo:

Crocodiles and hippos are close to the boat cruises available on Lake Mburo.

The nocturnal species that are seen during night game drives include bush babies and leopards.

Slower fishing trips can be taken to fish for tilapia.

To have the panoramic view of the park, hike to Kazuma Hill, which is an ideal location to capture the sunrise.

Getting There

Lake Mburo National Park falls within a reasonable distance of 240 km, taking about four hours by the Masaka-Mbarara highway located between Kampala and Lake Mburo National Park. It is a convenient rest spot among the tourists coming and going to Bwindi Safari Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, and so it will be a perfect addition to your wider Uganda safari schedule.

Conclusion.

Walking safaris in Lake Mburo are not a place on your list of things to do, but rather an experience that will take you to the core of Uganda. It is a place where adventure is discovered and every move is a story.