Lake Mburo is the closest savannah park to Kampala and one of the most relaxed in the country. It has no elephants and few big cats, so it is one of the few parks where you can explore on foot, by bike, on horseback and by boat, getting close to zebra, eland, impala and topi at your own pace.
The park is a mix of acacia woodland, open grassland, rocky ridges and five lakes, with Lake Mburo itself at its heart. Game drives here are gentle and rewarding, and the boat trip on the lake brings hippos, crocodiles and fine birds.
We often use Lake Mburo to break the long drive to Bwindi, but it is worth more than a stopover. Mihingo Lodge sits on a rocky ridge overlooking a waterhole, and a night or two here is a lovely, unhurried start or end to a trip.
The park is home to zebra, eland, impala, topi, buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck and warthog, with hippos and crocodiles in the lake. Leopards are present and seen on night drives, and hyenas and jackals are common.
Around 350 bird species have been recorded, including the African finfoot along the lake shore.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Lake Mburo is gently rolling and green, with acacia woodland, rocky outcrops and valleys dotted with swamps and small lakes. The views from the ridges stretch across the park, particularly at sunrise and sunset.
Activities here
Lake Mburo is mild, with days around 25°C to 28°C and nights around 15°C to 17°C. The rains fall from March to May and from October to November, with dry, clear weather from June to September and December to February.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27 | 15 | 60 |
| Feb | 27 | 15 | 70 |
| Mar | 27 | 15 | 110 |
| Apr | 26 | 15 | 130 |
| May | 26 | 15 | 90 |
| Jun | 26 | 14 | 30 |
| Jul | 26 | 14 | 20 |
| Aug | 27 | 14 | 50 |
| Sep | 27 | 15 | 90 |
| Oct | 27 | 15 | 110 |
| Nov | 26 | 15 | 120 |
| Dec | 26 | 15 | 80 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
June to August and December to February are the driest months. Days are warm and pleasant, around 25°C to 28°C, with mild nights. The grass is shorter, animals gather near the lakes and waterholes, and walking, cycling and riding are at their most comfortable.
The rains fall from March to May and from September to November, usually as afternoon storms with sunshine in between. The park turns lush and green, some tracks get muddy and the animals spread out, but game is still easy to find in this compact park.
Lake Mburo can be visited year round, but the dry months of June to September and December to February bring animals to the water and make walking and riding more pleasant.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb, Jun to Sep
Lake Mburo is about 4 hours by road from Kampala on the main road to the southwest, making it an ideal stop on the way to Bwindi or Queen Elizabeth. Charter flights are possible for those short of time.
A visa is needed for Uganda and can be applied for online before you travel. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Park fees are included in our safaris. Please see the Uganda page for details.
Lake Mburo is a low-altitude park with high temperatures in the dry season, so bring sun protection and drink plenty of water. A yellow fever certificate is needed to enter Uganda, so please carry it with your passport. Malaria is present, so antimalarials are advised. Walking and horse riding are led by rangers.
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“Explore on horseback”
Lake Mburo is where we encourage guests to leave the vehicle behind. A morning ride with Mihingo's horses takes you quietly among zebra and eland, which barely look up as you pass. It is a completely different way to experience the bush, and even nervous riders tend to return smiling.
Safaris from
US$1,222 per person
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