8-Day Uganda Luxury Gorilla & Wildlife Safari
Entebbe › Kibale › Queen Elizabeth › Bwindi › Lake Mburo › Entebbe
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Uganda · National park
Lake Mburo Safaris
A small, quiet park where you can leave the vehicle behind.
Discover Lake Mburo
A Lake Mburo safari is the gentlest way into the Ugandan bush. Lake Mburo National Park covers about 370 square kilometres of acacia woodland, open grassland and wetland around five lakes, and it sits close to the main road between Kampala and Bwindi.
It is the only park in Uganda with impala, and it has the country's best zebra and eland viewing. With no elephants and few big cats, Lake Mburo allows walking, cycling and horseback safaris that other parks do not, which makes it a good last night before the drive back to Entebbe. It features on our longer western Uganda safaris.
- Size
- About 370 km²
- Special species
- Impala, zebra, eland, topi
- Activities
- Walking, cycling, horseback, boat trips
- From Kampala
- About 4 hours by road
- Ideal stay
- 1–2 nights
- Best months
- Jun–Sep and Dec–Feb
What to do in Lake Mburo
Walking and horseback safaris
Guided walks with an armed ranger, and horseback rides arranged through lodges on the park edge, let you approach zebra, eland and impala on their own terms.
Lodges that offer riding
A boat trip on Lake Mburo
The lake holds hippos and crocodiles, and its fringes are among the best places in Uganda to look for the African finfoot.
Safaris visiting Lake MburoGame drives
Short drives cover the park's grassland and acacia country. Leopards are present, and night drives with the park can find them along with hyena and bushbabies.
Plan a stop on your routeWildlife you may see in Lake Mburo
Mammals
Zebra, impala, eland, topi, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, hippo and a small population of giraffe.
Predators
Leopard and spotted hyena, best looked for on night drives.
Birds
Around 350 species, including the African finfoot, red-faced barbet and papyrus gonolek.
The story of Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo became a national park in 1983. The area had long been grazing land for the long-horned Ankole cattle that still graze around the park boundary, and the park's story is closely tied to the communities that live around it.
The park is part of a wetland system of five lakes linked by swamps. Rocky outcrops, acacia woodland and open grassland give it a landscape unlike any other Ugandan park.
When to go
Lake Mburo is good all year, and its position makes it an easy stop whatever the season. The drier months, June to September and December to February, are best for walking safaris, when grass is shorter.
- JanDrier
- FebDrier
- MarWetter
- AprWetter
- MayWetter
- JunDrier
- JulDrier
- AugDrier
- SepDrier
- OctWetter
- NovWetter
- DecDrier
Drier, peak seasonWetter, green season
Where we travel in Lake Mburo
Featured Lake Mburo safaris
10-Day Uganda Primates & Big Game
Entebbe › Murchison Falls › Kibale › Queen Elizabeth › Bwindi › Lake Mburo › Entebbe
View itineraryLuxury lodges in Lake Mburo
Mihingo Lodge
Tents built around a rocky outcrop, with horseback safaris among zebra and eland.
Ask about this lodgePlanning your visit
Getting there
About four hours by road from Kampala, on the main route to Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth.
How long to stay
One night breaks the long drive; two allow a walking safari, a boat trip and a horse ride.
Where to stay
Lodges on the park edge arrange walking and horseback safaris.
Combine with
Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth on the western circuit.
Questions travellers ask
Why stop at Lake Mburo?
It breaks the long drive between Bwindi and Entebbe, and it is the place in Uganda to walk or ride among zebra, eland and impala.
Are there lions in Lake Mburo?
Lions are rarely seen. The park's predators are mainly leopard and hyena, which is why walking and riding safaris are possible.
Do we need riding experience for a horseback safari?
Rides are arranged by lodges on the park edge and suit different levels. Tell us your experience and we'll check what is offered on your dates.
Can children do walking safaris at Lake Mburo?
Rules and minimum ages are set by the park and lodges. Tell us the ages in your group and we'll confirm what is allowed.
More of Uganda
Murchison Falls
Uganda's largest park, where the Victoria Nile drops through a seven-metre gorge. Giraffe, elephant and lion on the north bank.
Discover Murchison Falls
Bwindi Impenetrable
Steep montane forest in the southwest, home to about half of the world's mountain gorillas. Treks start from Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Discover Bwindi Impenetrable
Kibale Forest
Evergreen forest near Fort Portal with 13 primate species and Uganda's most reliable chimpanzee tracking.
Discover Kibale Forest
Something made for you
Any trip can be lengthened, upgraded or combined across both countries. Send your dates and the number of travellers, and you'll get a costed plan within a day.