Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park at 260 sq km, sits conveniently just off the main highway between Kampala and the parks of the southwest, making it an easy and rewarding stop rather than a dedicated destination in its own right. Established in 1983 around the lake for which it is named, in Kiruhura District, the park is unusual among Uganda’s protected areas for the range of activities it permits, including walking safaris and night drives.
The park at a glance
- 260 sq km in Kiruhura District, western Uganda, about 30 km east of Mbarara
- Established in 1983 around Lake Mburo, part of a wetland system recognised as a Ramsar site in 2006
- Home to zebra, impala, common eland, African buffalo, hippos and warthogs, plus more than 300 recorded bird species
- About 240 km from Kampala, roughly on the route to Bwindi and other southwestern parks
A convenient stop with real wildlife
Lake Mburo’s position directly beside the highway to southwestern Uganda has made it one of the country’s most visited parks, despite its small size, and it delivers a genuine savannah safari experience for travelers en route elsewhere. Zebra and impala are seen here in numbers unmatched by most other Ugandan parks, and the park’s several smaller lakes and wetlands support hippos and a strong resident birdlife. Because the park has historically had no resident elephants and fewer large predators than Uganda’s bigger parks, the Uganda Wildlife Authority permits activities not allowed elsewhere in the country, including guided walking safaris and night game drives.
Boat outings and horseback safaris
Lake Mburo itself can be explored by boat, bringing visitors close to hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds along the shoreline, while several operators offer horseback safaris through the surrounding savannah, a distinctive way to approach grazing zebra and antelope. The combination of lake, savannah and permitted walking makes Lake Mburo popular with travelers wanting variety in a short visit.
Things to do
- Guided walking safaris among zebra, impala and eland
- Night game drives, one of the few places in Uganda where these are offered
- A boat outing on Lake Mburo for hippos and birdlife
- Horseback safaris through the surrounding savannah
Practical information
- Reached by road from Kampala, about three to four hours, directly on the route toward Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Often used as a stopover en route to or from southwestern Uganda rather than a standalone destination
- Best visited in the dry seasons, June to September and December to February, for easier walking and game viewing
Lake Mburo National Park adds an easy, activity-rich savannah stop to a wider southwestern Uganda itinerary. Offmap Safaris can build it into a route toward Bwindi or Queen Elizabeth National Park. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.
