Lake Mburo National Park is a very special place. Every part of it is alive with variety, interest and colour. Lake Mburo National Park contains an extensive area of wetland and harbors several species of mammals including zebras, impalas, elands, topi and buffaloes. The avian population includes the rare Shoebill stork. Its sculptured landscape with rolling grassy hills and idyllic lakeshores has a varied mosaic of habitats: forest galleries, rich acacia tree valleys, seasonal and permanent swamps which all support a wealth of wildlife. The park is only 370sq km and the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks. Its mosaic habitat: dry hillside, rocky outcrops, bushes, thickets, open and wooded savannahs, forests, lakes and swamps are home to a surprising diversity of plants and animals.
The park is accessed from the Masaka-Mbarara road; turn left to Nshara gate (13kms past Lyantonde) or alternatively turn left at Sanga trading centre (27kms past Lyantonde) which brings you through Sanga gate. Both junctions have clearly marked signposts. It is about13 km from Sanga trading centre to Sanga gate and 8 km from the main road to Nshara gate. It is about 20 minutes’ drive from either gate to Rwonyo park headquarters.
There are several activities carried out in this national park which include;
Game Drives
Lake Mburo National Park has a number of tourist tracks that are used for game drives. Impala track exposes the visitor to a diverse species of animals. Impala is the most common species viewed along this track although one may sight a number of waterbucks, warthogs, topis and zebras. Zebra track leads to harems of Burchell’s zebra with other species like bushbucks, oribi and reedbucks. The zebra track leads to the junction of Ruroko track, a drive through a wetland basin and thick acacia shrub and woodland, with olive trees and euphorbia species. Kopjes (rock outcrops) found along the Ruroko track, are home to elusive klipspringers to which the rock is the best habitat.Other tracks include;Kazuma track and Kigambira loop
Rubanga Forest
This forest offers a variety of habitats, conducive for birds thereby making it a very attractive place for bird watchers. There are over 40 species of birds recorded in Rubanga forest, five of which are forest “specialists”. Some of the common species are the Harrier hawk, Green pigeon, Narina trogn, Grey-backed cameroptera and Double-toothed barbet. The forest, though small, is a real high forest with closed canopy. Some common trees are markhamia platy calyx, sapium, erythriana and acacia.
Boat Trips
The presence of Lake Mburo within the park is a blessing. The lake is rich with a diversity of animal and plant species, which can only be viewed clearly while on a boat trip. These include crocodiles, hippopotami and birds like Pelicans, Black crake, Heron, Cormorant and Fish eagle but you may also see the rare Shoebill stork, all of which will furnish your visit with pride. The duration of each boat ride is 2 hours maximum, but arrangements for extra time can be made with management at an extra fee.
Guided Walks
Lake Mburo is one of the parks in Uganda where nature walks can freely be done anywhere in the park in the company of armed game rangers. A better target is the viewing platform that overlooks a salt lick about 2km from Rwonyo Camp. It is the best place to see a wide variety of animals as they are attracted to this place to lick the salty soil. Off Rwizi track is the Rubanga forest which is of great interest to walkers and birders. This place can only be visited in the company of an armed ranger.
Nature Trail
The nature trail offers the visitor a chance to admire nature incite. Visitors have the opportunity to walk in the circuit at their own pace in company of an armed guide. Information on trails is also available
Salt Lick
A walk to the nearby salt lick is a climax of it all. A strategically located wooden platform (Observation point) offers a chance to see at least four different species of animals at any one time while they lick the salty soil. The observation point is strategically located in such a way that close observation can be done without distracting the animals from their salt licking.
Fishing
Lake Mburo has about 6 species of fish, the common one being tilapia (Oreochromis leucostictes). Visitors planning to enjoy sport fishing on Lake Mburo should carry their own fishing gear and fish at the designated point at Mazinga. A restaurant is available at Campsite 2 to ensure maximum relaxation for visitors while at the lake.
