Lake Mburo is located on Savannah gently undulating terrain covering 260km and it encompasses a couple of Swamps that support a diversity of bird species. Most tourists interested in safaris in Uganda usually visit this park enroute Bwindi. 68 various mammal species have been recorded within Lake Mburo, approximately 313 different bird species among which is the crested crane found on the national emblem of Uganda found in this are covered with thick acacia woodland plus savannah 158 sq miles; this park generally has a varied fauna in compasrison to other wildlife reserves. The Rains in the park are somewhat unreliable and unforeseen; however it tends to rain in April as well as November. The Lake Mburo National Park is situated in a rain shadow area between the huge Lake Victoria and the legendary Rwenzori Mountains, and on average receives just 800mm of rainfall very year, while the hottest months there are July and August.
It is a three and a half hours drive from the capital Kampala to Lake Mburo National park situated between the districts of Masaka and Mbarara in Southwestern Uganda. The park is found at an altitude between 1219 meters and 1828 meteres above sea level.
There is a commonly told legend of 2 brothers, Mburo plus Kigarama who stayed in a huge valley. Kigarama one day dreamed that both of them were in danger, so the following morning, he informed Mburo his younger brother of his dream and advised Mburo that they should relocate. Mburo turned down this advice, but Kigarama wisely shifted higher into the hills. Sadly the valley flooded, and a lake was formed, which drowned Mburo. Right now this lake was named after Mburoo, while the hills where named after Kigarama th older brother. Mburo is a word similar to “mboro”, a Runyankole name of a cassine tree that has a strong aphrodisiac effect. One of these trees, showing indications of bark plus branch removal, might be seen near the Kigambira Loop crossroads.
WHAT TO DO:
Game Viewing: This is among the leading tourist activities to enjoy in this Park; it is renowned for its rich biodiversity. Some of the animals here are: Zebras, Impalas, Buffaloes, Topi, Elands, Roan antelopes as well as leopards, Hyenas plus jackals among the predictors.
Boat Rides: because you may not be able to see all the animals on the game drives, there is a boat ride which could over better game views of animals like crocodiles, hippos and even birds including fish eagle, Pelicans, cormorant, Black crake and Heron. The duration of this boat ride is however negotiable.
Guide walks: Visitors can enjoy nature walks led by armed parked rangers and guides. The trail goes through the small but dense Rubanga Forest.
Well positioned wooden Observation platform offers you a chance to view at least four different animal species each time as they lick at the salty soil. Fortunately you will enjoy all this without the animals noticing your presence.
Birding: those visiting this Mburo National Park for the first time will certainly be fascinated by the great diversity of large vivid birds including the beautiful Pink-backed pelican, Greater cormorant, Darter, White winged black tern, White pelican, Long-tailed cormorant and Yellow-billed duck, many of which can be viewed in Rubanga Forest plus the papyrus swamps.
Fishing: This Lake Mburo has approximately 6 fish species, and the tilapia (Oreochromis leucostictus) is the commonest of all. Please remember to bring along your fishing gear for this very exciting activity.
