2 days
Kidepo Valley Safari adventure
An off-the-beaten-path journey into Uganda’s most isolated national park, featuring vast open plains, giant herds of buffalo, and authentic Karamojong cultural experiences.
From, per personUGX 1,411,658
Lake Mburo National Park
Uganda's closest savanna park to Mbarara, with zebra, impala, boat trips and walking safaris.
Overview
Lake Mburo is the smallest of Uganda's savanna parks and the easiest to reach from Mbarara, which makes it our most-used first stop. Its rolling acacia woodland, papyrus swamps and five lakes cover roughly 370 square kilometres, and the park is unfenced, so wildlife and Ankole cattle sometimes share the same hillsides.
Zebra are the headline, with thousands roaming the open grassland. The park is also the only place in Uganda where you can see impala, and eland, the largest of Africa's antelopes, graze quietly among topi, waterbuck, bushbuck and warthog. Buffalo, hippo and crocodile use the lakes, and leopards and hyenas are here for those who look at night.
What sets Lake Mburo apart from bigger parks is how many ways you can explore it. Beyond game drives you can walk with a ranger, ride a horse alongside zebra, cycle on guided routes, paddle the lake by boat and take a night drive. It is one of the few East African parks where you can leave the vehicle with a guide for a proper on-foot safari.
Birders come for more than 350 species, including papyrus specialists, and the lake edges and forest patches are highlights. The shoebill is sometimes mentioned in connection with the surrounding wetlands, but it is rare and should never be promised on a tour.
Top experiences
Game drives on the Kazuma and salt lick tracks
Morning and late afternoon drives show off zebra, impala, eland and topi, and often buffalo and giraffe. Sunrise light is worth the alarm.
Boat trip on Lake Mburo
A quiet ride from the Mazinga landing site to see hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles and other water birds from a safe distance.
Guided walking safari
Walk with an armed ranger among zebra and antelope to see tracks, dung and small details you never notice from a vehicle.
Horseback safari
Ride quietly beside herds of zebra and impala with a trained guide. Open to riders of varied experience, and a rare chance to see East African wildlife from horseback.
Night drive
Spotlights reveal genets, bushbabies, civets, hyenas and sometimes leopard, activity you will never see by day.
Cycling and Rubanga Forest walk
Guided bike routes and a short forest trail add variety for a second day in the park.
Best time to visit
Lake Mburo can be visited year-round. The dry months, roughly June to August and December to February, concentrate animals near the lakes and salt licks and make game viewing easier. The rains bring green grass, calves and lambs, good birding and quieter roads, though some tracks turn muddy. Mornings and evenings are the best light and temperature in every season.
How to get there
The park is in Kiruhura and Isingiro districts, alongside the Kampala to Mbarara highway. There are two main entrances, Nshara Gate and Sanga Gate, and the Rwonyo area is the visitor hub.
From Mbarara
About an hour by road to the gates, which is what makes same-day trips from Mbarara realistic. From Kampala it is roughly four hours, so many long itineraries stop here on the way to or from the south-west.
Where to stay
Budget
Rwonyo Rest Camp
Rwonyo, inside Lake Mburo National Park
The park authority's own rest camp inside the park, built with local materials, with wildlife often wandering nearby. Simple, cheap and very close to the action.
Budget
Eagle's Nest Camp
Hill outside Lake Mburo National Park
A tented camp on a hill bordering the park, with each safari tent facing the wilderness from its own veranda.
Mid-range
Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Near Lake Mburo National Park
An eco-minded lodge of thatched cottages set on a rock outcrop, with views over the bush and wildlife sometimes seen from the deck.
Mid-range
Arcadia Cottages
Just outside Lake Mburo National Park
Self-contained cottages in gardens near the park boundary, a short drive from the gate and comfortable for families and small groups.
Luxury
Mihingo Lodge
Rocky kopje near Lake Mburo National Park
An eco-friendly lodge of twelve tented rooms on a rocky kopje above the savanna, with private, quiet surroundings and wildlife in view.
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Lake Mburo in a day from Mbarara?
Yes. It is one of the easiest day trips in Uganda, and a day fits a morning game drive, a lakeside lunch and a boat trip. Staying overnight adds a night drive and a slower pace.
Are there lions and elephants?
Elephants are not resident here, and lions are only occasional. The park is really about plains game, birds and the range of activities on offer.
Can we do a walking safari with kids?
Age limits apply to walking activities and vary by activity, so tell us the ages in your group and we will confirm what is possible.
Is horseback riding suitable for beginners?
Operators match horses and routes to experience, and beginners are welcome on the gentler options. Rider weight and safety limits apply.
Safaris to Lake Mburo National Park
2 days
2-Day Lake Mburo National Park Wildlife Safari
Escape the bustle of the city on an action-packed 2-day safari to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s closest savannah gem. This compact wilderness getaway offers a perfect blend of a relaxing afternoon boat cruise alongside hippos and crocodiles, classic scenic game drives, and a unique guided walking safari where you can track zebras, giraffes, and impalas on foot. It is the ideal adventure for travelers looking to experience the magic of the African bush in a short timeframe.
From, per personUGX 3,765,966
2 days
The Uganda Wildlife Express
Starting from Kampala or Entebbe, this trip features an early morning drive through scenic countryside with a stop at the Equator. Your first stop is Lake Mburo National Park home to impalas, zebras, and elands for a morning game drive or boat ride.
From, per personUGX 1,633,749
2 days
2 Day Safari
Escape into the wild on an unforgettable overnight adventure through Uganda’s famous savannahs. This action-packed 2-Day Uganda Safari combines guided game drives across wildlife-rich tracks with a relaxing boat launch along iconic river channels. Track iconic big game, witness stunning sunsets over the African bush, and experience a dense concentration of wildlife all seamlessly packed into a quick, thrilling itinerary.
From, per personUGX 1,452,600
2 days
2 Day Safari Uganda
Experience the best of Uganda’s wildlife in a condensed, action-packed getaway. Perfect for travelers short on time, this 2-Day Uganda Safari takes you directly to Lake Mburo National Park the country’s closest savannah park to Kampala.
From, per personUGX 1,861,084