Covering an area of 370 km2, Lake Mburo National park is the smallest park among the savanna national parks in Uganda.
Nevertheless, Lake Mburo National Park is a compact gem, located conveniently close to the highway that connects Kampala to the parks of western Uganda.
Why I call it the Zebra Paradise?
Most of the Zebra population in Uganda is found in and around Lake Mburo national park. This provides the best zebra viewing opportunity on a safari in Uganda. The park is dotted with the black and white strip coated mammal.
The type of zebra found in this park is known as the Bruchell’s Zebra. You cannot miss the sight of these amazing and unique mammals while on either a game drive or nature walk (walking safari) in Lake Mburo NP.
Other wildlife in Lake Mburo National park includes:
Over 60 mammal species (zebras inclusive) are found in this park namely;
- The Elands :
- Impalas
- Topis
- Giraffes
- Leopard
- Monkeys
- Hyena
- Warthogs
- Waterbucks and Bushbucks
- Buffaloes
- Baboons
- Hippos
to mention but a few.
The park is also home to a wide ray of birds consisting of about 350 bird species which include water birds, forest and savanna birds. The key species include:
- Red faced barbet
- The endemic African fin foot
- The rare Shoe bill stork
- African wattled Lapwing
- Brown chested Lapwing
- African Fish Eagle
- Pied Kingfishers
- Malachite kingfishers
- Saddle billed stork
- White winged warbler
- Bare faced go away bird
- Crowned cranes
- Rufuos billed heron
What to do while on Safari in Lake Mburo National Park:
- Game drives: Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to roam the park in search of wildlife. You will definitely not miss out on seeing the Zebras. The park has a good network of game drive trails.
- Boat cruise: Explore the wildlife rich banks of Lake Mburo on a 2 hour boat cruise. Expected sightings may include schools of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and water birds (colorful kingfishers, mighty fish eagles, African fin foot)
- Bird watching: Lake Mburo’s key birding spots include swampy valleys and viewing platforms near the salt licks and in the forest.
- Guided nature walks: Another level of experience, the once in a life time kind. Imagine walking on the same ground with the wild animals. Well this is possible as long as you are accompanied by a ranger guide.
- Horseback riding: An exciting and unique way of exploring the park.
CONCLUSION
Lake Mburo is the only park that contains impalas and the only one in western Uganda with Burchell’s zebra and the eland (largest antelope).
For travelers heading to Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Lake Mburo can be added in as either a stopover, or sleep over.
And to the wildlife adventurers who do not have much time on their schedule for travel, this is the best park for you as you can take a 2 days trip to the park.
