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  • Hippos, Uganda

Highlights and main attractions of Lake Mburo National Park

Highlights and main attractions of Lake Mburo National Park

With a varied topography of marshland, acacia woodland, sweeping valleys, rock Kopjes and rolling hills, Lake Mburo National Park supports an impressive variety of flora and fauna, including some unique wildlife. Covering just 260 square kilometres, the park is one of Uganda’s smallest, but this makes for some easy and exciting explorations into its unusual and diverse terrains. The five lakes for which the park is also renowned create an area of abundant birdlife and some of Uganda’s finest scenery. 

Once a game reserve set up to protect wildlife from returning humans displaced by the tsetse fly, Lake Mburo subsequently gained park status in 1983 and has since welcomed visitors to its vast range of habitats. The park’s headquarters of Rwonyo are a good starting point for game walks or boat trips. 

lake mburo national park Quick Facts

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Wildlife spotting opportunities: it is possible to see buffalo, impala and zebra.
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Did you know: there are 5 lakes within the park- Lake Mburo is the biggest.
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Unique for: the only place in Uganda to see giant bush rats.
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Activities: you can take boat trips to see pelicans, hippos, crocodiles and many other types of fauna which cannot be seen on foot.
Shoebill, Uganda

what can i see here?

Some of the more unique wildlife in this park includes grazing animals such as the impala, and Lake Mburo is the only park in Uganda that supports this ecotone species. It is also home to the last Ugandan population of eland, the largest African antelope. Hyenas, leopards, buffalo, hippo, Burchell’s Zebra and warthog are all found in the acacia woods and grasslands that surround the lakes of the park. There is a good chance you will see crocodile, hippo, reedbuck and waterbuck here too, as well as some of the 315-strong bird species that have been recorded to date, including the elusive African finfoot. The wildlife is best enjoyed on a game drive or a guided walk and the guides are experience and knowledgeable at taking you to the best spots. There is also the opportunity here for boat safaris down Lake Mburo, horse-back safaris and night drives, for the chance to see the more nocturnal animals, such as leopard, hyena, civet and porcupine.

The best end to the day is, of course, sundowners in the park, as the sun settles itself neatly below the horizon.

Lake Mburo National Park Accommodation Options

Mhingo Lodge is located just 15 kilometres, or 30 minutes’ drive, from the park headquarters and, with just 10 traditional thatch bungalows, it blends effortlessly into the savannah and rock outcrops. From your base here you can enjoy plenty of activities, including drives, walks and boat safaris, as well as making the most out of the relaxing pool. Horse-back safaris have been a speciality here since 2008 and they are great at making sure the ride is just right for the skill levels of the group. These rides take place just outside of the reserve, making this a relaxing and peaceful way of seeing the game of the area.

BOOK YOUR UGANDA SAFARI

Contact one of our Destination Specialists to start planning your journey to Uganda. Please note we recommend a budget of from £7,000 / $10,000 USD per person for our style of trip to this destination.

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