Lake Mburo National Park
Western Uganda Region
Lake Mburo National Park, located in Uganda's Western Region, is a compact yet biodiverse savanna park covering approximately 370 square kilometers. It features a mosaic of habitats including wetlands, lakes, savanna woodlands, and rocky outcrops, supporting a wide variety of wildlife such as zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, leopards, and hyenas. The park is notable for its 20% wetland coverage, part of a larger 50-kilometer wetland system with swamps and five lakes, creating a rich ecosystem for over 300 bird species. Despite challenges like habitat changes due to invasive acacia trees and past conflicts involving local pastoralists, conservation efforts have restored the park's wildlife populations and maintained its cultural sites, including sacred locations linked to the Banyankole people. Unlike many other Ugandan parks, Lake Mburo lacks elephants, allowing woodlands to flourish. The park offers accessible safari experiences near the highway connecting Kampala to western Uganda, making it a favored destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike.
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Tip: The best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park is during the dry seasons when wildlife viewing is optimal, typically from June to September and December to February. Visitors are encouraged to purchase park entry tickets in advance through official channels to ensure smooth access. Guided game drives and birdwatching tours are recommended to fully experience the park's diverse fauna and flora. Discounts may be available for East African residents and groups. Early morning and late afternoon safaris provide the best opportunities to observe animals and birds active in cooler hours.
Interesting facts
- •Lake Mburo is Uganda's smallest savanna park yet hosts over 300 bird species.
- •The park's wetlands cover 20% of its area and are part of a 50 km-long wetland system.
- •It is one of the few Ugandan parks without elephants, allowing woodlands to thrive.
- •The park was once home to lions, but they were eliminated in the 1980s; a lone lion appeared in 2015 but was subsequently removed due to conflicts.
- •Local communities receive 20% of park entrance fees to support schools, health clinics, and infrastructure.
- •The park's invasive Acacia hockii tree species is changing habitats, affecting wildlife distribution.
History
Originally designated as a controlled hunting area in 1933 and upgraded to a game reserve in 1963, Lake Mburo National Park became a national park in 1983.
The upgrade led to the eviction of local Banyankole Bahima pastoralists, causing conflict and hostility.
After political upheavals in the mid-1980s, the park's original area was reduced and re-gazetted by the National Resistance Movement government in 1986.
Over the decades, the park has faced challenges such as poaching, habitat changes, and wildlife depletion, but sustained conservation efforts have helped restore its ecological balance and wildlife populations.
Place Guide
Savanna and Woodlands
Expansive savanna dotted with rocky ridges and forested gorges, providing habitats for zebras, impalas, elands, and buffaloes.
Wetlands and Lakes
Covering 20% of the park, the wetlands form part of a 50 km-long system with swamps and five lakes, supporting hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
Birdwatching Sites
With over 315 bird species, Lake Mburo is a premier birdwatching destination in Uganda, featuring diverse habitats for wetland and savanna birds.
Contact
Phone: 031 2355000
