Uganda wildlife tours are most popular when featuring mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. The country is a leading primate safari destination with 3 major primate national parks. They include Kibale National Park famous for chimpanzees, Bwindi Impenetrable & Mgahinga Gorilla Parks home to mountain gorillas. Uganda has several other national parks including Lake Mburo National Park that is pretty outstanding. The park is among the most underrated Uganda wildlife tours and safari destinations.
Lake Mburo National Park is located in western Uganda in the Kiruhura district. With a land area of 370 square kilometers, it is among the smallest national parks in Uganda. The park is home to diverse wildlife species including those that do not occur in other safari destinations in Uganda. It was named after Lake Mburo, an iconic attraction within the park. Several other lakes within the park form a 50-kilometer wetland that is home to a number of wildlife species.
Wildlife in Lake Mburo National Park
Zebras are among the notable safari animals you will see while on Uganda wildlife tours in Lake Mburo National Park. This and Kidepo Valley National Park are the only two Uganda Safari destinations with zebras. Lake Mburo and Pian Upe are also the only places in Uganda where you can see the Elands.
Other major antelopes including Impalas, bushbucks, and sitatungas, are also present here. Hippos, buffaloes, and giraffes are also seen while on game drives in the park. For birders, Lake Mburo National Park is home to over 300 bird species and the best place in Uganda to see acacia-dwelling birds.
Safari Activities in Lake Mburo National Park
Game drives
Game drives are the leading activities done in Lake Mburo National Park. The park is one of the best places to see the various antelope species including the Oribi. It has the highest population of Elands which are the biggest antelope species. An early morning and evening game drive will reward you with sightings of the major safari animals the park has.
Lake Mburo National Park is also among the 3 destinations in Uganda with Giraffes, the land’s tallest animals. These are often seen towering over the park and offer enjoyable experiences. There are many trails in the park with safari specials that you can follow depending on your interest.
You can also opt for night game drives to see nocturnal animals. Night game drives here give you more chances of seeing the leopards as they are most active at night. They start at 7:00 pm and last up to 3 hours. Other notable animal species you can spot here include porcupines, genets, and bush babies among others. Night game drives are rewarding and with the size of Lake Mburo National Park, you get to explore a lot.
Nature Walks
Nature walks are top-rated safari activities on Uganda wildlife tours to Lake Mburo National Park. These bring you closer to the wildlife as you get to see a variety of animals nearby. The park is safe for nature walks as there are few predators here. Leopards are the only major predators present but are rarely seen. This has allowed the antelopes and other major grazers to thrive as they have no serious threat.
The best time for nature walks in Lake Mburo is early morning as you get to see the animals start their day. They start between 6:30 to 7:00 am and last for 2 Hours or more depending on one’s interests. Evening times are great for photography as well and if lucky you can see the beautiful sunset over the horizon.
Birding
Lake Mburo National Park is a great birding safari destination. On top of the many bird species the park has, the period from November to May has migratory birds visiting from the area. Some of these come from as far as Europe and can be sighted while on birding tours in the park.
Notable birds to look out for while in the park include African finfoot, Papyrus gonolok, the rare shoebill stork, Saddle-billed Stork, Black-billed bustard, and African wattled lapwing among others. Birding safaris in Lake Mburo are more enjoyable with the sighting of the different open savanna and wetland wildlife species the park has.
Ankole Cultural Experience
Several Ankole communities around the park are predominantly cattle keepers. On a visit to the Ankole community, you will get to know more about cattle keeping as you are taken through the major practices and activities done to ensure the safety and wellness of cattle. You also get to participate if you like by milking a cow.
The Ankole Long-horned cattle breed is native and reared by the Ankole people. It was named after the long distinctive horns that the Ankole cows have. There are also other breeds with shorter horns but the Long-horned cattle is more impressive.
Boat Cruise
A boat cruise along Lake Mburo is among the most anticipated activities while on Uganda Wildlife Tours in the park. The lake is an attraction in itself and offers views of several animal species along the lake shores. You also get to see several bird species including Kingfishers, African Finfoot, and fish eagles among others. The 2-hour boat cruise on Lake Mburo is an added adventure and is highly recommended.
Lake Mburo National Park is not visited by many people making it an exclusive Uganda wildlife tour destination. Every activity you do here is done exclusively with no crowds and interference from other people.
Horse Riding
Horse riding is an adventurous safari activity done in the park. This is the only national park in Uganda where you will enjoy horse riding alongside savanna wildlife species. The horse riding trails are within the park and allow you to see the different wildlife species. Horse riding is organized by Mihingo Lodge, a luxury lodge just outside the park. It is advisable to book this in advance as it is highly demanded and priority is given to guests at Mihingo Lodge.
Sport Fishing
The presence of Five Lakes in Lake Mburo National Park makes it a great destination for sport fishing. This adventure sport is enjoyed with great scenic views of the surrounding. It is also important to pre-book this and have your own fishing equipment.
Cycling
Cycling is another incredible adventure you can enjoy in Lake Mburo National Park. These feature trails where you can see several wildlife. Cycling adventures are led by park rangers who share more knowledge about the national park. Cycling through the savannas amidst the sighting of safari animals is incredible and creates beautiful safari memories.
Lake Mburo National Park lies along the western tourism circuit. It is an ideal stopover when going for or coming from mountain gorilla trekking adventures in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We usually recommend 2 nights here to fully explore the park but a night is also good enough.
Uganda wildlife tours here can be enjoyed any time of the year. The dry season from June to September offers great wildlife viewing and photography opportunities. The wet season on the other hand favors the growth of lush vegetation and you do not have to drive long distances to see the major safari animals.
Other Uganda Wildlife Tour Destinations
Other Uganda wildlife tour destinations include Kibale National Park located in western Uganda. It is popularly known as the primate capital of the world because of its primate diversity. The Park is home to 13 primates including chimpanzees and it is the best chimpanzee trekking destination in East Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park located in southwestern Uganda is home to mountain gorillas with four sectors each with habituated mountain gorilla families.
Mgahinga Gorilla Park also located in southwestern Uganda is the third primate national park. It has one mountain gorilla family called Nyakagezi. Several Uganda wildlife tours often feature these three national parks and other savanna parks like Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
For a more adventurous Uganda wildlife tour, you can book a 7 or 10-day Uganda Safari featuring Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and Murchison Falls National Parks. We tailor-make our safari itineraries and you can always choose to add or remove any safari activities depending on your preference.
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