Uganda Parks
By Ariadne van Zandbergen
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Uganda.
This scenic little park, close to Kampala, is home to several wildlife species not easily seen elsewhere in Uganda. These include Burchell's zebra and impala. Although elephant are absent from the park, there is plenty of other wildlife to see, including Rothschild's giraffe, buffalo and Defassa waterbuck.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Many typical safari animals are resident, but not elephant or rhino, while lion are very sporadic visitors. Leopard are sometimes spotted on night drives. Highlights in the park include impala (not found in any other Ugandan park), eland, the endangered Rothschild's giraffe and Burchell's zebra (which is only found here and in Kidepo Valley). Other animals regularly seen are oribi and warthog. Hundreds of hippo are found in the lake.
Scenery
The main feature of the park is Lake Mburo and four other lakes, which form part of a 50km-long wetland area. They are best viewed from the impressive Kazuma Lookout. The main vegetation is open savannah, but the park is becoming increasingly covered by woodland due to the absence of elephant. The savannah is interspersed with patches of forest and rocky outcrops. Papyrus swamp and woodland surround the lakes.
Weather & Climate
Two Wet seasons give Lake Mburo a good soaking from March to May and September to November. The rainfall tends to peak in April and lessen in the second half of the year. The drier periods of the year (June to August and December to February) barely qualify as Dry seasons – they’re just less wet.
Best Time to Visit
The mid-year dry period (June to August/September) brings the best weather. However, it also brings more visitors keen on exploring Uganda, and high-season prices. Don’t discount a visit during one of the two Wet seasons (March to May and September to November), when the park’s valleys turn green and the air loses its dry-weather haziness. Just be prepared for slippery hiking and unrelenting drizzle.
Want to Visit Lake Mburo NP?
Safari Tours to Lake Mburo NP
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12-Day Mid Range the Pearl of Africa Adventure
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Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
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5.0/5 – 137 Reviews
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![8-Day Uganda Big-Five Safari]()
8-Day Uganda Big-Five Safari
$1,907 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha (Queen Elizabeth NP), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Adventure Vacation Safaris
4.9/5 – 39 Reviews
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12-Day Trip Gorilla Trekking, Big 5 and Nature Sighting
$3,126 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Home To Africa Tours and Travel
5.0/5 – 152 Reviews
