Activities
Activities and Things To Do In Lake Mburo
Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
The best birding spots in Lake Mburo National Park include the swampy valleys of Warukiri and Miriti, and the roadsides between Rwonyo camp and the jetty. There are also ideally-situated viewing platforms at the salt lick, in Miriti Valley, and in Rubanga Forest. Species observed at these locations include the Rufous-bellied Heron, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin, Grey Crowned Crane, Black-bellied Bustard, Brown-chested Lapwing, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Brown Parrot, Red-headed Lovebird, Ross’s Turaco, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Green Wood-hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, White-headed Barbet, Red-faced Barbet, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Long-tailed Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis, White-winged Tit and Finfoot among others.
Rubanga Forest can be visited using a vehicle or on foot. This is a real draw for keen birders, and prior arrangement should be made with the warden. The rare Red-faced Barbet – only seen in Lake Mburo National Park – is one of the of the forest’s featured species.
Game Drives in Lake Mburo
The network of game tracks in the east of the park passes a variety of landscape features; acacia woodland, wetlands, grassy hillsides, rock outcrops and seasonally flooded valley floors. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to roam the park in search of wildlife. An alternative view of the park, hopefully including sightings of animals rarely seen during the day, is provided by guided night drives. These start between 6.30-7pm and last two to three hours.
For more information on fees and booking, visit our Trip Planner page.
Game Drives in Lake Mburo
The network of game tracks in the east of the park passes a variety of landscape features; acacia woodland, wetlands, grassy hillsides, rock outcrops and seasonally flooded valley floors. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to roam the park in search of wildlife. An alternative view of the park, hopefully including sightings of animals rarely seen during the day, is provided by guided night drives. These start between 6.30-7pm and last two to three hours.
For more information on fees and booking, visit our Trip Planner page.
Hiking and Nature Walks in Lake Mburo
Unusually, the whole park is open to walkers as long as they are accompanied by a ranger guide. At Rwonyo, a guided walk leads to a salt lick where many animals are attracted to the salty rocks.
Walks on the western side of the lake begin at 7am and take two hours. At this time of day, you may encounter hyenas returning to their dens and hippos retreating to the lake. Hikes through the woodland provide an opportunity to sight forest birds and mammals, while the walk to the top of the hill rewards visitors with a spectacular view of 9 of the region’s 14 lakes.
Of particular interest to walkers and birders is Rubanga Forest, which may be visited by prior arrangement and in the company of a ranger.
All walks should be booked in advance.
For more information on fees and booking, visit our Trip Planner page.
Horseback safaris in Lake Mburo
Horseback safaris are an exciting way to view wildlife, including eland and buffalo. Also commonly sighted are warthog, topi, impala, duiker, bushbuck, waterbuck and zebra. The four-hour hacks take visitors up to hilltop viewpoints with the option of bush breakfasts or sundowners. This activity is arranged at Mihingo Lodge.
Launch Trips in Lake Mburo
The wildlife-rich eastern banks of Lake Mburo can be explored during a tranquil two-hour boat voyage. Keep an eye out for crocodiles, buffaloes and hippos as well as colorful Kingfishers, magnificent Fish Eagles, Hammerkops and their enormous nests and even the prehistoric-looking Shoebill. Voyages depart from Rwonyo jetty every two hours (subject to demand) starting at 8am.
For more information on fees and booking, visit our Trip Planner page.
Sport Fishing in Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo contains around six species of fish, with tilapia being the most common. The designated fishing spot is at Mazinga; visitors planning to fish here should carry their own equipment and obtain a permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority.
For more information on fees and booking, visit our Trip Planner page.
Suggested tours
Suggested tours - Lake Mburo National Park Suggested Tour Itineraries
3 Day Wildlife Safari Tour Itinerary in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda
Day 1 Arrive at Lake Mburo
Traveling from Kampala or the western parks, arrive at Lake Mburo in the afternoon and check into your
choice of accommodation. Take a tranquil evening boat ride along the eastern banks of Lake Mburo as you
view birds, crocodiles and hippos against the setting sun.
Day 2: Game Drive and Salt Lick
Take a morning game drive and encounter zebras, buffalo, elands and impalas along with a great variety of
birds. After lunch at the lakeside restaurant, walk with a ranger guide across the wooden observation
platforms of the salt lick area, where wildlife gathers to lick the salty soil.
Day 3: Onward Travel
Take an optional visit to the Conservation Education Centre, near Sanga Gate. Visit the craft stalls and take
pictures of the equator monuments on either side of the road on your way back to Kampala.
3 Day Birdwatching Tour Itinerary in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda
Day 1: Bird to Lake Mburo from Entebbe/Kampala
Depart from Entebbe or Kampala, arriving at the park in the late afternoon. Look out for birds like Bateleur,
Crested Francolin, Lilac-breasted Roller, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away
bird, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Striped Kingfisher, Golden-backed
Weaver among other birds. Overnight at one of the hotels.
Day 2: Bird Lake Mburo National Park
Whole day birding Lake Mburo National Park looking for species like the Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Black
bellied Bustard, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Blue-napped
Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Long tailed Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis and
more.
Before dinner, try and spot the African Scops Owl, Swamp Nightjar, Black-shouldered Nightjar and Freckled
Nightjar. Look out for animals like the gorgeous eland, zebra, impala, buffalo, reedbuck, topi, waterbuck,
bushbuck, hippo, oribi, bush-duiker and others. Dinner and overnight as before.
Day 3: Continue West
After breakfast, depart for western Uganda, heading to destinations such as Echuya Forest Reserve, Lake
Bunyonyi or Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Blue
napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Yellow-breasted Apalis, White-eyed Slaty
Flycatcher, Stripe-breasted Tit, Mountain Masked Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, White-napped Raven, Fork tailed
Drongo, Black-crowned Waxbill, and Black-headed Waxbill among others may be observed along the way.