Lake Mburo National Park Uganda

 

 

Imagine you had a dream while in an open grassland area filled with various species of wildlife feeding freely together with very many birds chirping and singing freely. These grasslands have beautiful sceneries, with giraffes towering tall while moving majestically and zebras showing off their beautiful stripes. You will not be dreaming if you make the decision to visit Lake Mburo National Park this year. The park is located in the beautiful western region of Uganda in Kiruhura district, Nyabushozi County. The park was gazetted in 1933 at first as a safe and controlled hunting area. Later on in 1963, it was upgraded to a game reserve. Therefore this game park has stood the test of time in terms of wildlife conservation.

Distance from Kampala to The Park.

The park is 219 km away from Kampala by road which takes about four hours and a half in order to get there by road. The duration of the drive may take about five to six hours considering factors like traffic jam in the center of the city and road works. The road drive gives visitors a chance to visually explore the districts of Kampala, Masaka, Lwengo and then Kiruhura district where the park is located.

Favorable Time to Visit the Park.

It is safe to say that the park is an all year round tourist destination. Uganda experiences two seasons; the dry and wet season. Each season comes with its advantages.  If one visits during the dry season, they  get to enjoy a clear view of the wildlife that come to the shores of Lake Mburo in order to take water. The vegetation is thinner which makes the spotting of wild life easy.  The weather is also favorable during the dry season as it is warm during the day and cool in the evening. This makes evening game drives so conducive. The game tracks are easy to navigate during the dry season. During the wet season however, it is easier to spot large animal herds as they seek fresh vegetation. Bird watching is easier as various types of bird species fly or move around freely. Therefore, a tourist is free to come to the park at the time of their convenience since a customer is a king.

Key Attractions at the Park

Lake Mburo; this is a natural and fresh water source found within the park. It supports the growth of various plants and the well-being of animals. This is a beautiful place for sight-seeing birds and animals and observing how they co-exist within the game park.

Antelopes; these are plant eating animals that grace this park. The park boasts a variety of the antelope species that include Impalas, the Elands, the Topi, the Bushbuck, the Oribi, Sitatunga, Common Duiker among others. The Sitatunga prefer staying around water bodies as they are semi aquatic. Some other antelopes can be seen while exploring the famous Mihingo lodge. The various species offer one a chance to compare and contrast different antelope types.

Giraffes; the park boasts a fairly large number of Rothschild’s giraffes. These roam around freely the savanna lands of the park. These were however re introduced into the park as they were eliminated initially in 1985 after the locals took advantage of the end of Obote II’s regime and forcefully claimed the land from the reserve and killing wildlife in the process.

Leopards; these are also found at the game park. However, they are a rare sighting since they are naturally shy animals. However, they can be sighted early in the morning or late in the evening more so around Mihingo lodge.

Crocodiles and Hippos; these aquatic animals are found on the shores of Lake Mburo where they reside and sometimes come out to sun bathe.

Olive Baboons; these are also called the Anubis baboon. They are called Olive baboons because of its coat that gives off a greyish-greenish color from distance. They are a common sighting at this park.

Birds; the park is blessed with an abundance of various bird species that are a point of interest. The park boasts about having over 350 bird species. Some of the bird species include the African Harrier Hawk, Malachite Kingfishers, African fish eagles among others.

Igongo cultural center and museum; this is another attraction that is in the vicinity of the museum. This place is close to the Sanga gate;which is the main entrance of the park. The park plays an important role in the preservation of the culture of the Banyankole and Bahima people who are the natives of the place.

Rubanga forest; this forest offers tourists a chance of interacting with nature through hikes. This forest has a closed canopy and a platform on which visitors can sit as they do bird watching. Some of the species of birds that are  easily spotted while here include the Harrier hawk and Green pigeons among others.

Activities to enjoy at the Park

Game drives; these are done in 4WD vehicles in order to ease movement around the park. The drives are done in the morning and evening in order to observe different types of wildlife that stay at the park. This is because some animals are nocturnal.

Fishing; the park boasts of at least six fish species and these include Tilapia, Catfish, Lung fish, Tiger fish and Barbell fish. However, sports fishing requires one to have a license. It is therefore important to ask your service provider or the guide for the right procedures to be followed in order to be able to participate in this activity.

Boat cruises; these start as early as 8:00 am in the morning with Rwonnyo Jetty. The cruises normally last about two hours. The boat cruise enables tourists to have a closer view of aquatic animals up close like crocodiles, hippos and the semi aquatic Sitatunga antelopes. A boat ride costs 20$. However in some cases, capacity may be used as a determinant for the price that people pay in order to access this service.

 Guided Biking; this is an activity that tourists enjoy through the savannah lands of this park. A guide is there in order to lead visitors through areas where animals are easily be spotted. The best time to enjoy this activity is during the dry season as tracks are easily accessible. Each bike ride costs about 95$. It is important however to book in advance in case you want to enjoy this activity.

Night game drives; these are done in order to get sightings of nocturnal animals like leopards. This helps visitors get to also enjoy the cool breeze at the park in the night hours.

Community walks; these are basically interactions with the local people that stay around this park. With these interactions, one gets to learn about the ‘’ long horned Ankole cattle’’ that forms an integral part of the Ankole people. One also gets to learn about the special bond shared by the Ankole people and their cattle which is built on trust. Learning about the ghee making procedures and the Bahima homestead is also experienced first hand. The art of making ghee is normally taught by women since they are the ones in charge of food at home. The men offer lessons on the Bahima homestead and how it is built.

Visiting Salt Licking Areas; just like human beings, animals need salt for survival. At Lake Mburo National Park, Kate salt lick is the most prominent place where various animals gather in order to lick the salty soil. The Uganda Wildlife Authority saw to it and built a raised platform where tourists can view the animals from a slightly higher ground minus straining. One is rest assured to enjoy this experience as various animals can be sighted.

Vital Items for the Trip

Sun glasses; these are important in order to protect your eyes from discomfort and excessive light from the sun.

Binoculars; These help one to see things that are further away with clarity with an increased field of view and a three dimensional perspective.

Light clothing; These are important due to the warm temperatures in Uganda more so during the dry season.

Water; for hydrating.

Walking sticks; These provide stability while moving more so on uneven terrain. They also help in reducing strain from long walks on the knees and ankles.

Gumboots or good Hiking Shoes; These are key for preventing slips and falls.

First aid kit; This is very important in case of any accidents or emergency health conditions.

Insect repellent. For keeping away harmful insects

Sunscreen; For protecting the body from UV rays from the sun.

Navigation tools; These include compasses, GPS trackers in order to track locations.

Back pack; For carrying essentials for the activities.

Camera; For taking photographs.

Significance of the Park.

Employment opportunities; the park offers employment opportunities to the locals in form of game rangers, veterinary doctors among others. The locals items are also bought by visitors or tourists hence enabling them have a source of income.

Grazing grounds; the cattle are free to graze from some of the grasslands of the park which creates a proper relation between locals and the park.

Preservation of Culture; the park is a home to some of the important cultural places of the local people. These include ”Rubanga,” where sacrifices were made to the gods, ”Ruroko,” where the ancient Bachwezi are believed to have lived and ”Kigarama” where the King’s servants stayed. Lake Mburo therefore has a significant relationship with the locals and  it is indeed the place to be!