The park (Lake Mburo National Park) is located in the district of Mbarara. The drive from Kampala to Lake Mburo takes 3.4 hours. The park is accessed from the Masaka-Mbarara road; turn left to Nshara gate (13 kms past Lyantonde) which brings you through Sanga gate. Both junctions have clearly marked signposts, it is about 13kms from Sanga trading centre to Sanga gate and 8kms from the main road to Nshara gate. Its an ideal Uganda safari destination for short tours and excursions.
It is about 20 minutes drive from either gates to Rwonyo park headquarters.
It was from the story of the two brothers who lived in the valley, Kigarama and Mburo that the park got its name. One night, Kigarama got a dream which inspired him to shift from the valley and when he told the story to his younger brother he did not take it serious so Kigarama had to shift to the hills.
It was from this that the valley turned into floods and formed a lake which was drowning to Mburo. Today the lake is named after him, and the hills are called Kigarama after his brother.
Kin Runyankole, word ‘Mburo’ is name of the cassine tree which has a powerful aphrodisiac effect.
Attractions and activities in the park
The park is considered as a very attractive and interesting place to go to. Among interesting future is the existence of Nakivali wet land which supports globally threatened bird species. The park is also a habitant to several species of mammals including Zebras, impalas, elands, topi and buffaloes. The bird population includes the rare shoebill stork, it’s sculptured landscape with rolling grassy hills and idyllic lakeshores has a varied mosaic of habitats: forest galleries, rich acacia tree valleys, seasonal, and permanent swamps which all support a wealth of wildlife.
Game Drives
The Park has a number of tourist routes r used for game drives. Impala track exposes the visitor to a diverse species of animals. Impala is the most common species viewed along this track although one may sight a number of waterbucks, warthogs, topis and zebras.
Zebra track leads to harems of burchell’s zebra (Equus burchelli) with other species like bushbucks, oribi and reedbucks. The zebra track leads to the junction of Roroko track, a drive through a wetland basin and thick acacia shrub and woodland with olive trees and eurphorbia species. Kopjes (rock outcrops) found along the Roroko track, are home to elusive klipsringers to which the rock is the habitat.
The Kazuma track passes through wooded grassland where black-bellied buatards often patrol the area. For visitors to experience a real exposure of Lake Mburo National Park, they should climb Kazuma hill, which is high enough to enable them see what they could have missed. The five lakes within the park and the rolling hills become more visible and attractive therefore it is better seen than read.
Kigambira loop takes you through a wooded wilderness with scattered thicket and while you are here, look out for bushbucks and bush duikers.
The Lakeside track is specially designed to facilitate viewing of water plants and animals. The park has a diversity of water birds and woodland birds, which can be sighted along these tracks.
Boat Trips
The presence of Lake in the park is a blessing to tourists who visit the park. In the lake are different species of animal and plant, which are normally seen while on a boat trip. Among these are the hippopotami and birds like pelicans, black crake, heron, cormorant and fish eagle but you may also see the rare shoebill stork, all of which will furnish your visit with pride. Each boat trip on the Lake takes a maximum of 2 hours, but arrangements for extra time can be made with management at an extra cost.
Fishing:
There are over 6 species of fish in the Lake with tilapia being the common specie. Therefore sport fishing is seen as a major activity in the park.
Guided walks:
Nature walks are carried put in Rubanga Forest and here visitors are able to see a variety of bird species that is if they are interested in bird watching. For bird watchers, the forest has a bout 40 species of forest birds in Rubanga forest. A mong bird species in the forest are;- the green pigeon, narina trogn harrier hawk, Grey-backed cameroptera and double-toothed barbet. The forest, though small is a real high forest with closed canopy. Some common trees are markhamia platycalyx, Spain, erythriana and acacia.
Guided walks are also offered in the nature trails to admire the nature insights ióf the park.
Salt lick walks as well as access to the viewing platform. While on viewing wooden platform, at least 4 species of animals can be seen licking the salty soil.
Accommodation facilities in the park
Mantana luxury Tented camp which is 3.5kms from Rwonyo Park headquarters
Rwonyo camp with 6 tents also at the park head headquarters a well as public safari camp sites.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority Bandas ( UWA)
The conservation centre also offers accommodation for students and it has conference facilities for small groups pf visistors.
When to visit the Park?
The park can be visited at any time of the year.