LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Lake Mburo National park is located in the southern part of Uganda in the present Kiruhura district. It covers an area of 260 sq km. Named after the famous Lake Mburo found inside the park harbours several markedly different faunal species which cannot be easily found elsewhere in Uganda. These include Zebras, common duikers, Impala, Bohor reedbuck, Buffaloes, and birds. Lake Mburo has been recorded as the best place in the country to see the gigantic eland antelope, as well as zebra, topi, impala, and several acacia-associated birds. The sitatunga antelope is confined to swamp interiors and the Klipspringer is occasionally observed in rocky areas. Only two diurnal primates occur at Lake Mburo; the Vervet monkey and olive baboon.
Birds
The park is blessed with 313 different bird species which include the rare Shoebill stork, White-winged Warblers, Black-billed Barbet, Crested Francolin, Brown Parrot, Red necked Spur, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Temminck’s Courser, common Quails, Greenwood Hoopoe, Blue-napped Mouse bird, Barefaced Go-away bird, African-grey Hornbill, Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola, Lilac-breasted Roller, Coqui Francolin, Red necked spur fowl, Black Bellied Bustard, African-wattled Plover Rufous napped and Flappet larks, Rufous chested Swallow , Southern Red Bishop and Yellow-throated Long claw among others. The fringing swamps in the park also hide secretive papyrus specialists such as the red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek.
Lake Mburo and other lakes
The lake together with other four lakes found within the park attracts hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds. These lakes provide great opportunities for the development of different recreation activities such as swimming, boat riding, and sport fishing.
Accessibility
The Park can be accessed by road transport. The drive from Kampala to Lake Mburo usually takes 3.5 hours drive on the Mbarara Kampala highway.
Safari activities
Game Viewing
This is the major tourist activity in this Park. A game drive enhances you to see the famous biodiversity of the park. The park has got about 68 different species of mammals with the common ones being Zebras, Impalas, Buffaloes, Topis, and Elands, Roan antelopes, leopard, Hyenas and jackals among others.
Guided foot safaris
In the park there are different nature trail which offers the visitor a chance to walk through different parts of the park while admiring the scenery and animals seen on the trail. Foot safaris are guided by an armed guide to enhance your safety while on the safari.
Forest walks
These are organized in Rubanga forest where a variety of trees and birds can be seen. In Rubanga forest alone, over 40 bird species have been recorded.
Boat trips
These are taken on Lake Mburo National park. While on the trip a diversity of animals and plant species can be seen. These include crocodiles, hippopotamuses and birds such as Cormorant, Black Crake, Heron, Pelicans, and Fish Eagle among others.
Fishing
The existence of five lakes in the park gives a great opportunity to those who would like to carry out fishing during their holiday in the park. In the Lake Mburo about six species of fish can be easily caught. These include Tilapia, lung fish, mud fish, Haplochromes among others.
Salt Lick
This is the most interesting economic activity Lake Mburo National Park. From a wooden platform visitors have got the chance to see at least 4 different species of animals at any one time as they lick the salty soil. This is done without the animal's conscience give that the wooden platform acts ac a hideaway.
Birding
Lake Mburo National park is blessed with a number of birds which vary from wetland birds, savanna birds and forest birds. First time visitors are always delighted with colorful birds found in the park. In the Rabongo forest there are 5 species of bird, which are found only in the forest, while the fringing swamps, lakes and wetlands poses over 60 specialist water birds. Therefore visitors interested in bird watching should not forget their birding equipments.
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