Lake Mburo is an underrated gem of a park, dominated by the eponymous lake which –with its forest-fringed shores hemmed in by rolling green hills – is scenically reminiscent of the more celebrated lake Naivasha in the Kenyan Rift valley. Lake Mburo has long been promoted with some desperation as an ideal overnight stop along the long drive between Kampala and the national parks along the country’s western border. It harbours several species not easily observed elsewhere in Uganda.
This park is probably the best place in Uganda to see acacia-associated birds, and Rwonyo Camp is as good a place as any to look for the likes of mosque swallow, black-bellied bustard, bare-faced go-away bird and Ruppell’s long tailed starling birds recorded at Lake Mburo are essentially southern ground hornbill, black-collared, black-throated barbets and green-capped eremomela.
It is the only reserve in the country to support a population of impala, the handsome antelope for which Kampala is named and one of only three protected areas countrywide where Burchell’s zebra occurs and others two being the far less accessible kidepo and Pian Upe. The park offers some excellent game viewing during game drives and your are likely to see as many different large mammal species that is antelopes like the topi, common duiker, oribi and Bohor reedbuck. The most frequently used roads are the impala and Zebra tracks, which respectively connect
Quad biking is one of the most exciting activities carried out from the park. It is run by all Terrain Adventures, it’s a fantastic fun and everyone who has tried it has loved the experience and it is allowed to a maximum of five people. Mihingo lodge has introduced Horseback safaris in the east of the park. The horse experience is heightened by the absence of engine noise. Boat trips are also carried out whereby a motorboat trip on the lake leaves from jetty at the main campsite 1km from Rwonyo camp. The lake and lush fringing vegetation support healthy populations of hippo, crocodile, buffalo, warthog and bush pig while on a boat trip which reliably produces good sightings. One of the major attractions of lake Mburo is that you are permitted to walk anywhere in the park in the company of an armed ranger.
For anyone to reach the park, Mbarara is a major route focus, situated at the junction of the surfaced roads east to Kampala via Masaka, southwest to Kabale and Kisoro, and northwest to fort portal via Kasese. Coming from Kampala, it’s easier to use the road branching south from the 50km marker for Mbarara past Lyantonde. There are a number of accommodation facilities around the park where tourists can stay during their activities; lake view Regency Hotel, Agip Motel, Oxford Inn and Hotel classic