National Park
Lake Mburo National Park
Uganda 370 km² (143 mi²) Est. 1983
About Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is a compact, acacia-studded gem in western Uganda, centred around the picturesque Lake Mburo and four smaller lakes. At just 370 square kilometres, it is one of Uganda's smallest savannah parks but offers a unique range of activities not available in the larger parks.
The park is the only place in southern Uganda to see zebras, impala, and eland, and it supports Uganda's largest population of leopards. Lake Mburo is also one of the few Ugandan parks where horseback safaris, guided walking safaris, and night drives are permitted, providing a more intimate and varied safari experience. Its proximity to Kampala makes it an easy weekend getaway or a convenient stopover en route to Bwindi.
0
Safari Tours
4.0
Avg Rating
1/5
Big Five
43
Years Protected
Highlights
- Horseback safaris — rare in Uganda
- Night drives and guided walking safaris permitted
- Closest savannah park to Kampala (3-4 hours)
- Good leopard population and excellent birding
- Convenient stopover en route to Bwindi
Considerations
- No elephants or lions in the park
- Small park with limited game drive routes
- Wildlife density lower than larger parks
- Tsetse flies can be bothersome in some areas
Wildlife
Big Five Status
🦁
Lion
Not present
🐆
Leopard
occasional
🐘
Elephant
Not present
🦬
Buffalo
Not present
🦏
Rhino
Not present
Notable Species
Leopard
Occasional
Zebra
Common
Hippo
Common
Eland
Common
Impala
Common
Warthog
Common
Fish Eagle
Common
Crocodile
Common
Common Occasional Rare
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak Season Good Time Less Ideal
Climate Overview
Getting There
Lake Mburo is approximately 3-4 hours drive from Kampala on the Kampala-Mbarara highway. The park is a popular stopover on the western Uganda circuit to Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth.
Nearest Airport
Mbarara Airstrip
Nearest City
Mbarara
Drive Time
3.5 hours