Lake Mburo National Park is a national park located in western Uganda (4 hour drive from Kampala, the capital of Uganda.) near Mbarara district and it is a very extraordinary place, every part of it is alive with diversity, significance and colour. The Area is made up of extensive wetlands that host numerous rare species of mammals and birds found nowhere else in Uganda. Its sculptured landscape, rolling hills and pleasant lake shores has a varied mosaic of habitats; forest galleries, seasonal and permanent swamps, and rich acacia-woodland, and lush valleys that sustain a wealth of wildlife.
The most striking feature of Lake Mburo National Park is how young all the trees are. In the 1950s the British colonial authorities were determined to eradicate the area off tsetse fly. They first planned to decimate all the animals in the park area so as to starve the flies to death. This turned into a devastating and costly blood-bath that failed to get rid of the tsetse as it proved impractical to kill all the smaller and more elusive animals.
The second plan was to clear all the trees and bushes in the park where the flies lived, and hundreds of kilometres of bush were stripped, cut and burned, until barely any trees were left. Then when the rainy season came — and a thick cover of scrub quickly grew up and provided enough cover for the flies.
The following year they implemented their third plan, which was to soak the entire area in insecticide. That got rid of the tsetse — as well as virtually every other insect species, and all the insectivorous birds and small mammals.
Thanks to the nature's ability to heal itself that despite its terrible action in the 50s. Lake Mburo is now a major wildlife reserve that sustains Uganda's only population of impala, and one of only three populations of Burchell's zebra. Lake Mburo Lake Mburo is found in the middle of the park together with 14 other lakes in the area forms part of a wetland system. This system is linked by a swamp some 50 km long, fed by the Ruizi River on the western side. Five lakes, of which the largest is Lake Mburo, are found within the Park's boundary. Almost a fifth of the Park's area is made up of wetlands, both seasonal and permanent swamps. The diverse types of swamps are host to a wide range of wetland birds, and the shy, rare sitatunga antelope, gigantic eland antelope, zebra, topi and impala. Lake Mburo’s surface and its fringing vegetation are always varying, and it is lovely to take a boat ride and experience the enchanting lake.The five lakes within the park attract hippos and crocodiles
Rubanga Forest
The Rubanga Forest is very small but a true forest with a closed canopy in places. A common tree is Markhamia platycalyx (grey-brown truck with irregular flaky patches, divided leaves, yellow flowers stripped and spotted with red; brunches of extremely long (up to 1.3 m pod like fruits). Palms, figs, sapium (a tall tree whose leaves turn red before falling) and the flame tree Erythrina abyssinica occur towards the edge of the swamp.
Birding at Lake Mburo National Park
Travellers to Lake Mburo National Park are fascinated by the variety of large mammals and colorful birds. For many people, birds are the most attractive to observe. As the frequent species become recognizable, you will start to note other smaller, less spectacular birds, the real experts appear to get most thrilled by 'Little Brown jobs' ('L B Js') which are the hardest to identify. Although many birds are wide spread, others are fussier in their choice of habitat. For example, most of the park's 310 recorded species are 'generalist' and can be seen almost anywhere. However, they are 5 species of bird, which are found only in the forest, and 60 specialist water birds. Others prefer short or tall grasslands, or are found mainly in woodlands. Lake Mburo National Park open water birds Lake Mburo National Park is home to open water birds, Lakeshore and papyrus swamp birds, Seasonal swamp birds, woodland birds, grassland birds and Forest birds. Lake Mburo National Park Birds of the Open Water Birds of the Open Water in this Park include; Pink-backed pelican, Darter, White pelican, Yellow-billed duck, Long-tailed cormorant, White winged black tern and Greater cormorant
Lake Mburo National Park Lakeshore and papyrus swamp birds
They are over 26 species of lakeshore and papyrus swamp birds recorded in this Park. Some of them include; Fish eagle, Pied kingfisher, African finfoot, Great white egret, Night heron.
Topographical Features of Lake Mburo National Park
The Park lies between 1219 and 1828 m above sea level. High hills and rocky, weather-beaten ridges characterize the western part of the Park, the deep valleys support the forest. On the eastern sector, rolling wooded hills intersected by wide, flat bottomed valleys, which are seasonally flooded and drain into the swamps and lakes. The Ruizi River flows in a south-easterly direction and forms part of the western boundary of the Park. Lake Mburo and the surrounding wetlands eventually drain into the Lake Victoria.
Geological make up of Lake Mburo National Park
The Park is underlain by very ancient (more than 500 million years old) Precambrian metamorphic rocks which belong to the ‘basement system'. Mihingo Lodge is built on one of these outcrops. Most of the soils in Lake Mburo are heavy clay and loams soils. Although surrounded by lakes there is hardly any ground water in Lake Mburo National Park due to the deep clay soils preventing any water from entering deep into the ground. Access by Road: Lake Mburo Getting there by road takes 3.5 hours drive from Kampala on Mbarara Kampala highway. Turn left at 13 km (Akageti) past Lyantonde, to Sanga gate, look out for signposts. It is 13 km from Sanga trading center of Sanga gate, 5 km from the main road to Nshara gate and about 20 minutes drive from Rwonyo Park Head Quarters.
Accommodation at Lake Mburo National Park
- There are 4 tents at Rwonyo park headquarters 3 public campsites, all strategically located to facilitate and enhance scenic viewing and easy access to water. Lake Mburo dining shelter provides meals on order.
- Luxurious accommodation
- Agip Motel Mbarara,
- Hotel Classic Ltd,
Meals
Neither the Rest Camp nor hostel stock food, visitors are therefore advised to carry sufficient food and drinks for the duration of their stay in the park. The Rest Camp staff can arrange for the cooking. However other supplementary diet such as chicken and goat meat can be arranged from the nearby community for visitors who intend to stay longer.Activities at Lake Mburo National Park
Game Viewing is the major tourist activity in this Park, famous for its rich biodiversity. It has about 68 different species of mammals. The common ones are Zebra, Impala, Buffalo, Topi, and Eland as herbivores not to leave out the rare slightly of Roan antelope and leopard, Hyenas and jackals as predictors.
Boat Rides at Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo plays a major role in enhances the experience at the park. The lake is rich in a variety of animal and plant species that you view more closely if you take a boat trip. The crocodiles, hippopotamuses and birds like Pelicans, Black crake, Heron, cormorant, fish eagle, you may see the rare Shoebill Stork and making your visit even more interesting. The duration of each boat cruise is negotiable.
Mihingo Lodge. From here you experience game walks or a boat trip on the Lake Mburo.
Guided Walks
The nature trail offers the visitor a chance to admire nature insitu. Visitors have the opportunity in walk in the circuit at his / her pace although in company of an armed guide.
Salt Lick
A walk to the near by salt is a summary of it all. Strategically located wooden hide (Observation point) offers a chance to see at least 4 different species of animals at any one time while they lick the salty soil. Most interesting to note is that this is done without the animal's conscience. Visitors may also walk to area of their own choice.
Climate
Lake Mburo National Park lies in a rain shadow between Lake Victoria and the Rwenzori Mountains, and receives an average of 800 mm of rain a year. Being near the equator, the rainfall pattern is bimodal, with the long rains occurring from February to June, and the short rains from September to December. The rains are rather irregular and unpredictable, but most rain tends to fall in April and November. The average recorded temperature is 27.5°C with daily variations ranging from 21.5°C to 34.0°C. July and August are the hottest months.
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