Lake Mburo National Park
Only in Lake Mburo National Park can you mountain bike past zebra herds or ride a horse through buffalo country. It’s Uganda’s smallest savanna park—but don’t let the size fool you.
With over 315 bird species, 68 types of mammals, and a compact, easily navigable landscape, Mburo punches well above its weight.
Located between Entebbe and Bwindi, this underrated gem is the perfect stopover on a longer safari circuit.
Whether you’re into walking safaris, boat cruises, or tracking eland on horseback, Lake Mburo offers safari experiences you won’t find anywhere else in Uganda. Especially for first-timers or families—it’s wild, but not overwhelming.
Top Things To Do in Lake Mburo National Park
1. Game Drives (Day & Night)
Game drives in Mburo are wonderfully intimate. The absence of elephants has allowed thick scrub to return, but tracks lead you straight into action.
Expect reliable sightings of impala, topi, zebra, buffalo, and waterbuck. Giraffes have been reintroduced and are often spotted along the Kazuma and Ruroko tracks.
Night drives—starting around 6:30 pm—are among the best in Uganda. You might catch elusive species like leopards on the prowl, hyenas in packs, or wide-eyed bushbabies in trees.
This is one of the few parks where night game drives are allowed.
Pro Tip: Bring binoculars. The bush can be thick in places.
2. Walking Safaris
Lake Mburo is one of Uganda’s few parks where you can walk freely with a ranger—no vehicles needed.
From the Rwonyo salt lick to Rubanga Forest or hilltop viewpoints, each trail offers close-up encounters with animals and birds. Expect the unexpected. You might track a warthog family or come across fresh leopard prints.
Birders especially love this format—it’s the best way to hear calls and spot shy species.
Want more walking adventures? Check out Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where walking is also the heart of the experience.
3. Boat Cruises on Lake Mburo
Forget the dusty tracks—this is safari, unplugged. Hop on a boat and drift into Mburo’s watery wilds, where the action is slow, stealthy, and up close.
Every cruise brings the park to life in a way that no game drive ever could. From the cool breeze off the lake to the echo of a fish eagle’s cry, it’s a mood.
Cruises depart every two hours between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Look out for:
Hippos bobbing just beneath the surface.
Crocodiles sunbathing on the rocks like prehistoric royalty.
Buffalo wading in for a drink.
Hammerkops and kingfishers on serious fishing missions.
This is where the park exhales—quietly, beautifully.
4. Bird Watching
Over 315 bird species. One park. One pair of binoculars. That’s Lake Mburo. The park’s wetlands, savannas, and woodlands make it a goldmine for both casual birders and hardcore twitchers.
Whether you’re stalking the elusive Red-faced Barbet (only found here!) or tuning in to the calls of papyrus gonoleks, the variety is electric. Every step on a birding walk brings a fresh sound, a fresh flutter.
Where to go:
Waruki & Miriti wetlands (especially good for water birds)
The jetty road (great for mixed species sightings)
Viewing platforms in Rubanga Forest
Want forest birds and chimp sounds with your checklist? Pair Mburo with a stop at Kibale Forest National Park for a wildly different birding experience.
5. Horseback Safaris
You’ve seen game drives. Now try one without the engine. Saddle up for one of Uganda’s most exclusive experiences—a horseback safari through the open savanna.
Run by Mihingo Lodge, these rides are surprisingly smooth and magical. Wildlife doesn’t spook. Zebras might even trot alongside.
And when you’re high in the saddle with nothing but hoofbeats and bird calls, the connection to nature is next-level.
Options range from a gentle 1-hour ride to a 4-hour odyssey complete with bush brunches or sundowners on a scenic hilltop. Absolute bucket-list material.
6. Mountain Biking
Want to feel the park in your legs? Pedal into the wild with a guided mountain biking trip, courtesy of Rwakobo Rock.
These rides skirt the park’s edge, cutting through savanna trails and hidden bush paths where wildlife roams free.
Expect surprise impala sprints, warthogs crossing your path, and moments of pure adrenaline as the trail dips and climbs. It’s a real workout, but the freedom and raw immersion make it unforgettable.
You’ll meet locals along the way, pass herds of Ankole cattle, and stop for those all-important photo ops. Pro tip: ride in the cooler hours of the morning or late afternoon.
Best Time to Visit Lake Mburo National Park
Mburo is a year-round park, but wildlife visibility improves in the dry seasons:
June to August
December to February
During these months, grass is lower and animals gather around water sources. The wet seasons (March–May and September–November) bring beautiful green landscapes and fewer tourists, though some roads can get muddy.
Lodges & Camps in Lake Mburo
Mburo has options for all budgets, often with sweeping views and easy access to activities.
Platinum
- Mihingo Lodge – Hilltop luxury, pool, and horseback safaris.
Gold
Rwakobo Rock – Eco-lodge with great views and biking options.
Arcadia Cottages Mburo – Simple and scenic.
Silver
Eagle’s Nest – Basic but comfortable, perched above the park.
Rwonyo Rest Camp – UWA’s affordable, government-run accommodation.
You can combine a night here with trips to Queen Elizabeth National Park or Lake Bunyonyi for a rich western Uganda safari circuit.
How to Get to Lake Mburo National Park
Mburo is located near Lyantonde town, just off the main highway, making it one of the most accessible parks in the country.
From Kampala/Entebbe: ~4–5 hours by car (230 km via Masaka-Mbarara Road).
From Bwindi (Buhoma): ~5 hours by road.
From Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha): ~4 hours.
Entry Fees & Activity Permits
Below is a breakdown of current UWA fees (as of 2025). Prices are per person, per day, unless stated otherwise:
| Category | Foreign Non-Residents (USD) | Foreign Residents (USD) | East Africans (UGX) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Entry – Adults | 40 | 30 | 20,000 |
| Park Entry – Children (5–15 yrs) | 20 | 10 | 5,000 |
| Vehicle Entry (per day) | 30 (foreign plate) | 10–20 (local plate) | 10,000–20,000 |
| Night Game Drive (UWA vehicle) | 40 | 40 | 40,000 |
| Nature Walk / Walking Safari | 30 | 15 | 10,000 |
| Boat Cruise | 30 | 30 | 30,000 |
| Horseback Safari (1 hour via lodge) | 40–80 | 40–80 | 150,000+ |
| Biking Safari (via lodge) | 30–50 | 30–50 | 100,000+ |
| Camping Fee (UWA campsite) | 10 | 10 | 15,000 |
Note: Prices vary slightly depending on service providers (e.g., lodges). Always confirm ahead of time.
Notes and Booking Details
You’ve got two options when it comes to booking activities like game drives, boat trips, and nature walks in Lake Mburo National Park:
Go through UWA at Rwonyo HQ or their main website.
Let us handle it for you. Just head to our Request a Quote page, fill out the form, and we’ll hit you back with a tailored itinerary—no fluff, just facts.
Some lodges like Mihingo Lodge and Rwakobo Rock offer private horseback safaris, mountain biking, and night drives.
These are not included in standard UWA packages and must be booked ahead of time, either through us or the lodge directly.
Need help figuring it out? We’re happy to walk you through it. Just drop us a line.
Pro tip: Arrive early for sunrise walks and game drives. Some activities fill up fast—especially in peak months.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
Combine it: Lake Mburo is perfect for breaking up a long journey. Combine it with Bwindi Gorilla Trekking or Kibale Forest chimp tracking for variety.
Stay 2 nights: One night feels rushed. Two gives you time for a morning walk, afternoon boat cruise, and night game drive.
Fuel up before: There’s no fuel station inside the park. Top up in Lyantonde or Mbarara.
Cash is king: Some activities require cash (UGX or USD), especially at UWA points. Card payment is not always guaranteed.
Don’t forget gear: Bring walking shoes, sunscreen, bug repellent, and a good pair of binoculars.
Travel with a guide: For context, safety, and wildlife tracking, local guides elevate the experience dramatically.
Geography, Climate & Ecosystems
Lake Mburo National Park covers 370 square kilometers in western Uganda. It sits in the Ankole subregion, nestled between Masaka and Mbarara.
Unlike Uganda’s wetter tropical parks, Mburo lies in a savanna-woodland zone with acacia thickets, open grasslands, wetlands, rocky outcrops, and five lakes—Lake Mburo being the largest.
The terrain is gently rolling, making it ideal for biking, walking, and riding.
Climate:
Altitude: 1,220–1,828m above sea level
Temperature: Averages 27°C (day), 15°C (night)
Rainy Seasons: March–May & Sept–Nov (expect afternoon showers)
Dry Seasons: Dec–Feb & June–August (cooler nights, better game viewing)
Mburo’s ecosystems support a wide variety of life, especially grazers.
Notably, it’s the only Ugandan park with impala antelope and one of only two (along with Kidepo) that host eland, Africa’s largest antelope.
Why Choose Lake Mburo National Park?
Unique safari experiences like horseback riding and walking with wildlife
Superb location between central and southwestern Uganda—it breaks up long drives
Intimate feel: Smaller park = less crowded, more personal
Budget-friendly: Lower entry fees, more accessible accommodation
Birdwatching paradise with lake, wetland, forest, and savanna species all in one compact area
Child-friendly activities and short drive times make it perfect for family safaris
It’s not the Big Five, but it’s the real wild Uganda—accessible, peaceful, and rich in variety.
For travelers en route to the gorillas or coming from Queen Elizabeth National Park, it’s a refreshing pause full of unexpected beauty.
