Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo at a Glance

Wildlife at Lake Mburo

Lake Mburo is the best place in southern Uganda for zebra, and it has the country’s largest population of impala, along with eland, topi, buffalo, warthogs, waterbuck and bushbuck. Rothschild’s giraffes were brought here in 2015 and are now part of the park’s wildlife. Leopards and spotted hyenas live in the park and are most often seen at night; lions are rare visitors. The lakes hold hippos and crocodiles. See zebra at Lake Mburo and the salt lick, where animals gather.

About 350 bird species have been recorded, from savannah birds to waterbirds. The African finfoot, hard to see elsewhere, is a realistic target on the boat cruise, and the Rubanga Forest is good for forest species. See birding at Lake Mburo and Rubanga Forest.

Things to Do at Lake Mburo

Walking safaris

Guided walks with an armed ranger, usually early in the morning, take you quietly among zebra, impala and eland, with a chance to read tracks and spot smaller wildlife you miss from a vehicle. See walking safaris at Lake Mburo.

Horseback safaris

Riding is one of the best ways to approach wildlife here, as animals are relaxed around horses. Rides range from an hour for beginners to longer outings for experienced riders, run by a private stable near the park. See horseback safaris.

Boat cruise on Lake Mburo

A two-hour cruise on the lake passes hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles, kingfishers and, with luck, the African finfoot — a quieter alternative to the Kazinga Channel. See the Lake Mburo boat cruise.

Game drives and night drives

Day game drives cover the park’s grassland valleys in a few hours. Night drives with a spotlight look for leopards, hyenas, genets, bushbabies and nightjars. See night game drives at Lake Mburo.

Cycling and fishing

Guided cycling routes cross parts of the park and the surrounding ranchland, and sport fishing is possible at a designated site on the lake.

Lake Mburo for Families and Short Trips

With short drives, gentle activities and no age limits on boat cruises and game drives, Lake Mburo is excellent for families with children too young for gorilla trekking, and for older travellers who prefer a relaxed pace. Age rules for walks and horse riding are set by the operators, so we confirm them for your children in advance. See kid-friendly walking safaris and our 6-day family safari.

Best Time to Visit Lake Mburo

Lake Mburo is good all year. The drier months, June to September and December to February, are best for walking and game viewing, as animals gather near water and the tracks are firm. In the wetter months the park is green and very quiet, and birding is at its best. Because it is close to Kampala and on the main road south, weather rarely affects travel here.

How to Get to Lake Mburo

The park lies just off the main Masaka–Mbarara highway, about four to five hours from Kampala or Entebbe, with a stop at the Equator on the way. From Bwindi it is about five to six hours, and from Queen Elizabeth around five hours. Most travellers include it on the drive between Entebbe and the gorilla parks. See Lake Mburo as a stopover.

Where to Stay at Lake Mburo

There are lodges, tented camps and campsites inside the park and on its edges, from simple bandas to comfortable lodges on rocky hills with wide views over the savannah. One night is enough for an afternoon activity and a morning walk or ride; two nights let you do the boat cruise, a walk and a horseback safari without rushing.

Combining Lake Mburo With Other Parks

Lake Mburo is the natural first or last night of a south-western safari, breaking the drive to Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth. It complements them well: where Queen Elizabeth offers lions and elephants from a vehicle, Lake Mburo lets you walk and ride among the animals. See how it fits into the 7-day gorilla and big game safari.