Lake Mburo National Park
Tucked between Kampala and western Uganda’s great parks, Lake Mburo National Park is often underestimated—but those who stop here are always glad they did. This intimate, scenic park is a mosaic of rolling hills, open savannah, woodlands, and sparkling lakes—perfect for slow, soulful safaris and outdoor adventures that let you feel the rhythm of nature up close.
It’s the only park in Uganda where you can walk among wildlife, cycle past zebras, and glide silently through papyrus wetlands on a boat safari—all in a single day. Lake Mburo offers something truly special: a peaceful, uncrowded, and immersive connection with the wild.
The Best Place to Walk with Wildlife
One of the most unique things about Lake Mburo is that you don’t need to stay in a vehicle to enjoy the wildlife. Guided walking safaris let you step directly into the landscape—where you might track zebra, impala, or warthogs on foot, hear the soft calls of bushbuck, and spot giraffes from ground level. It’s quiet, thrilling, and refreshingly close to nature.
For a more exhilarating twist, you can even explore the park by mountain bike or horseback, with trained guides leading you through open plains and forest trails.
The Lake Life
Lake Mburo is dotted with 13 lakes, five of which lie inside the park. A boat safari is the perfect way to explore its tranquil waters, where you’ll see hippos, crocodiles, and a wide range of waterbirds, including the African finfoot, fish eagles, herons, and papyrus gonolek. The shoreline is alive with life—and the reflections at sunset are pure magic.
A Birdwatcher’s Delight
With over 350 bird species, including both savannah and wetland birds, Lake Mburo is a favourite stop for birders. Look out for red-faced barbet (found only here in Uganda), Narina trogon, black-bellied bustard, and many others that make the park a compact birding haven.
Activities in Lake Mburo National Park
Walking safaris with a guide
Game drives
Boat safaris on Lake Mburo
Horseback safaris
Mountain biking in the wild
Birdwatching
Night game drives
Cultural visits to Ankole homesteads
Fishing and canoeing (by arrangement)
Photography and landscape viewing
How to get there
By road: Just 3.5 to 4 hours from Kampala, it’s the most easily accessible park in Uganda—ideal for short stays or as a scenic stop en route to the southwest.
By Air: While there is no airport within the park, travelers can fly from Entebbe International Airport to Mbarara Airport, which is about 40 km from the park.
Climate
Lake Mburo has a moderate climate, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 30°C. Rain can fall any time, but the drier months (June–August, December–February) are best for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities.
Best Time To Visit
You can visit year-round, but the dry seasons are ideal for walks, game drives, and boat trips. Because it’s so close to Kampala, Lake Mburo makes a great first or last stop on your Ugandan adventure.
Facts
Lake Mburo National Park may be Uganda’s smallest savannah park, but it delivers big when it comes to variety, access, and charm. It’s perfect for those who want something a little different—wildlife without crowds, activity without stress, and scenery without limits.
Established in 1983 – Originally a controlled hunting area, it was upgraded to national park status to protect the region’s unique savannah and wetland ecosystems.
Size: 260 square kilometres (100 square miles)
Landscape: Rolling hills, lakes, savannah, wetlands, and patches of forest
Unique selling point: Uganda’s only park with impala, and the best place for walking safaris
Top experiences: Walks, boat trips, cycling, horseback safaris, and lakeside sundowners
Most Common Animals
- Zebra
- Impala (only found here in Uganda)
- Eland (Africa’s largest antelope)
- Rothschild’s giraffe
- Warthog
- Bushbuck
- Topi
- Waterbuck
- Hippo
- Crocodile
- Leopard (often seen on night drives)
- Over 350 bird species including African finfoot, red-faced barbet, and papyrus gonolek
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