History of Lake Mburo National Park : Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest National park in Uganda, which covers a total surface area of 370 square kilometers. This park is located in the East of Mbarara town in the western region of the country. It is just 240 kilometers from Kampala city, which makes Mbarara city its nearest town.
This National park is elevated at an altitude of 1,220 meters and 1828 meters and 20% of Lake Mburo National Park comprises wetlands.
A Brief History and Geographical of Lake Mburo National Park.
In 1933, Lake Mburo National Park was known as hunting area, later in 1963, it was marked as a game reserve during the reign of President Milton Obote and it was officially published as national park in 1983. This park is managed by a government organization known as Uganda Wildlife Authority whose main aim is to protect and conserve wildlife for future generations in all national parks in Uganda.
Lake Mburo National Park lies within the rain shadows between Lake Victoria and mountains of Rwenzori. There is a story tale that long time ago, in Ankole Kingdom there were two brothers; Kigarama and Mburo. These brothers stayed in the valleys within the National Park. One dark Night Kigarama had a bad, scaring dream in which a flood covered the entire valley and killed both him and his brother. Kigarama was too frightened and decided to caution his brother Mburo to leave his home in the valley but Mburo did not pay attention to the warnings of his brother and everthing he said. Later, Kigarama’s dream came true; indeed the valley was flooded with water and formed the current lake Mburo. Because of this Folk tale, the Lake was named Mburo and the hills surrounding the lake were named Kigarama in remembrance of the two brothers’
Lake Mburo National park is a marvelous safari destination that comprises five lakes with wonderful curved landscapes, both seasonal and permanent wwetlands and lush green hills. These five lakes in the park contain six different fish species like; Tilapia, lungfish, mudfish, and haplochoromes. Thus making the park an ideal spot for sport fishing activities and tournaments. The national park is covered by savannah woodland because of the fact that it harbours no elephants feed on it.
Activities to do when in Lake Mburo National Park.
Lake Mburo Boat Cruise.
The Boat cruise on Lake Mburo last for 2 hours and they begin from Rwonyo rest camp, which is a lakeside campsite. While on a boat cruise, tourists get a chance to see hippos and crocodiles in the water or on the shores of the lake and birds like the rare shoebill and the rare fin foot and many others.
Hiking and Nature Walks.
Experienced and well-trained tourist guides always accompany tourists and UWA guides who lead tourists to go through the beautiful scenic sites such as; salt rocks where animals gather to lick the nutritious salt. In addition, walk through to view the five lakes out of the 14 lakes in the region.
Games drives.
Lake Mburo national park offers both day and night game drives, which begin at 6am, and the evening drives begin at 6pm.
During the game drives, tourists can enjoy looking at several kinds of wildlife of animals such as; zebras, buffalos, elands, warthog’s, giraffes, and many others. While on evening game drives, tourists get a great opportunity to view nocturnal animals in the park such as bush babies, potto and leopards.
Birding.
Lake Mburo is an excellent destination for bird watching. This park is a home to 313 bird species making it the best place for bird lovers to visit On a single bird watching activity tourists get to sight see a number of birds such as; red- shouldered cuckoo shrike, the red- headed love bird, the rare red- faced barbet, the brown parrot, the emerald- spotted wood- dove.
Horseback Riding.
Horseback riding was introduced in 2008 and it is operated in Mihingo Lodge. This activity takes about 2-5 hours and tourists enjoy watching the wildlife as they get beautiful gestures of Lake Mburo National Park.
Community Tours.
Tourist in Lake Mburo National park are allowed to visit communities around the park and while on these visits they get to learn about the traditional and historical of tribes like; Bahima, Banyankole, Bairu.
Tourists get a chance to visit other attractions within and near which offer awesome activities to tourists. In addition, these attractions include;
Nahara community tourism group.
This tourism group majors in making handcrafts and it gives tourist an interest to take nature walks, camping, and cultural encounters as they take visitors through the process of making aircrafts and handcrafts, History of Lake Mburo National Park
Rubale fishing community; this community provides tourists with marvelous fishing adventure tours and takes them through the traditional fishing processes.
Masha Community Wildlife Forum.
This community offers tourists with traditional bee keeping tour and guided nature walks.
Wildlife Species in Lake Mburo National Park.
Lake Mburo national park harbours 69 animals species; Buffaloes, zebras, elands, leopards, Oribi, Defassa water bucks, warthogs, African Leopards, Hyena, reedbuck and topi and water animals like; crocodiles, hippopotamus, and papyrus animals such as; antelopes, black and yellow papyrus ganalex, Sitatunga among others
The park is also a habitat of 313 bird species such as; the Brown parrot, the Nubian woodpecker, emerald spotted wood dove, crested francolin, which makes the park an ideal destination for bird watching activities.
Travelers in Lake Mburo national park can get the Cassia tree, which is believed to have powerful aphrodisiac effects, and it is mostly used as a local herbal remedy. This tree is a unique, special attraction in the park.
How to get to Lake Mburo National Park.
Lake Mburo National park can be accessed through Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishaka and Mbarara or travelers will drive from kampala to the park which is a 3 hours and a half drive of 228 kilometers.
More so, the national has three gates, which tourists use to get inside the park. In addition, these gates include;
The Nshara gate, which is about 500meters west of the Akagate trading centre, which is located 9 kilometers in the south of the main road.
Kyanyanshara gate, which is, neighbours with Mihingo lodge and is located in Akagate trading center, which is 18 kilometers in the south and 14kolmeters in the west of Lyantonde.
Sanga gate, which is, situated 13kilometers from Sanga and Akagate trading centers and 27kilometers from Lyantonde.
Where to stay in Lake Mburo National Park.
Lake Mburo National park offers a variety of accommodation facilities to the visitors, which range from; Budget, mid-range accommodations and Luxury accommodations. These Lodging facilities include; Rwonyo rest camp, Mburo Safari lodge, Ssana community lodge, Mantana tented camp, Eagles Nest and many others.
Therefore, Individuals with an ssinterests to visit Lake Mburo National Park should get in touch with us in case of an inquires and to book with us an amazing wildlife safaris to the park.
