Uganda Birding tour in Lake Mburo National Park : Lake Mburo National Park is located in the western part of Uganda, approximately 30 kilometers east of Mbarara town. The national park covers an area of about 370 square kilometres. Bird watching in Lake Mburo National Park is an amazing experience because this smallest stunning savannah park has a stunning landscape that includes a diversity of rolling hills, woodlands, forests, seasonal and permanent swamps, lakes, and savannah vegetation within the park. Uganda is popular for its remarkable birding opportunities, boasting over 1,000 species of birds. Surprisingly, Lake Mburo houses over 350 species of birds, including several rare and endemic ones. You will have the opportunity to spot a variety of these fascinating wonders. Birding in Lake Mburo National Park offers the best. The park’s stunning savannah, lush wetlands, and acacia woodland provide a variety of habitats for both residents and migratory birds. The stunning beauty of the park adds to the overall birding experience. Lake Mburo National Park is famous for harboring African finfoot, Papyrus gonolek, and white-winged warblers. These are not only thrilling finds for birdwatchers but also provide excellent photographic opportunities. Lake Mburo National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife species, such as zebras, impalas, elephnats, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and several antelopes. The park is also one of the few places in Uganda where you can spot elands, the largest antelopes in Africa.
List of birds spotted in Lake Mburo National Park
Red papyrus gonolek, African fish eagle, Martial Eagle, black papyrus gonolek, and yellow papyrus gonalek are found in the papyrus swamp areas. Abyssinian ground hornbill, African fishing eagle, saddle-billed stork, white winged warbler, papyrus yellow warbler, brown-chested wattled plover, African fin foot, grey-crowned crane, black-billied bustard, bare-faced go-away bird, Rufous-billied heron, Cocui francolin, red-faced barbet, the rare Shoebill stork, barefaced go-away bird, African-grey Hornbill, Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola, Lilac-breasted Roller, Coqui Francolin, Red-necked spur fowl, black-bellied bustard, African-wattled plover Rufous napped and Flappet larks, Rufous-chested Swallow, Southern Red Bishop, and Yellow-throated Long Claw White-winged Warblers, Black-billed Barbet, Crested Francolin, Brown Parrot, Red-necked Spur, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Temminck’s Courser, Common Quails, Greenwood Hoopoe, Blue-napped Mouse Birds, and yellow papyrus gonolek.
Packing list for birding safaris in Lake Mburo National Park
When preparing for a birding safari in Lake Mburo National Park, it’s essential to pack carefully to ensure you have everything you need for an enjoyable and comfortable experience in Lake Mburo National Park. Birders are recommended to come along with items such as binoculars to allow you to spot far-distance birds up close, a field guide specific to the birds of Uganda or East Africa to help you identify the species you encounter, a notebook and a pen to jot down the birds you see, a camera to capture interesting bird species, sturdy and comfortable boots, rain gear, insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, enough drinking water and snacks to keep you hydrated, sun protection, and a backpack, among others.
Other activities to do in Lake Mburo National Park
Game drives
Game drives are one of the most popular attractions and activities in Lake Mburo National Park. Game drives in the park offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s diverse wildlife and landscape. During the game drives, you will get the chance to spot the park’s fascinating creatures, such as zebras, impalas, buffaloes, elands, elephants, hippos, and various antelopes.
Boat cruise along Lake Mburo
A boat cruise along Lake Mburo is one of the rewarding activities you should look at when on a Uganda boat cruise tour in Lake Mburo National Park. A boat cruise along Lake Mburo offers visitors the opportunity to explore the hidden treasures of the lake’s shores while enjoying the serenity of the stunning surroundings and spotting various aquatic animals such as hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
Horse ride
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the 10 national parks in Uganda, offering amazing horseback rides to its visitors. Horse rides in the park offer visitors the thrill of exploring the park on horseback. A guided horseback ride allows you to cover more ground than traditional walking safaris while providing a unique perspective of the wildlife. The activity is done at Mihingo Lodge under the guidance of trained staff in conjunction with the park rangers. The horseback ride in Lake Mburo can take 1-3 hours as you explore the beauty of the national park savannah, coupled with the view of the wild game.
Nature walks and hikes
Nature walks in the park are an interesting activity to take part in while on a wildlife safari in the park. Nature walks and hikes offer an opportunity for a nature lover to explore the hidden gems of the park as well as connect with nature. Visitors on a Uganda birding safari in the park can embark on guided nature walks through the park’s diverse landscapes, including savannah, woodland, and wetlands. This is an excellent opportunity to get up close to smaller wildlife and learn about the park’s flora and fauna.
Bike rides
Bicycle tours around the park. It’s a unique way of exploring the park and its confines. The bicycle rides at the park take a maximum of 1 hour, and they guarantee you a view of zebras, elands, buffaloes, antelopes, bush bucks, and many more.
Night game drives
Lake Mburo National Park is currently one of the best destinations for visitors to search for nocturnal wildlife in the park, such as the illusive leopard, porcupine, and white-tailed mongoose, and not forgetting the sounds of wild animals like hyenas, zebras, buffalos, and bush babies.
The Best Time to Visit Lake Mburo National Park for Birding
Lake Mburo National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the best time for viewing the game is during the two dry seasons, which run from June to August and then from December to February, with the most precipitation expected in April and November with passable tracks, while in the rainy season the tracks are slippery, muddy, and impassable.
How to Get to Lake Mburo National Park for Birding
Lake Mburo National Park Located after Masaka district, Kiruhura district is a few kilometers before Mbarara district. It can be accessed through the Sanga gate. It’s about 20km from Lyantonde District and almost 50km from Mbarara. It’s about 228 km from Kampala, and it takes about 3 to 4 hours to drive.
Accommodations
Birders planning to go on birding safaris in the park shouldn’t worry about where to stay. The park has a variety of accommodations to cater to all levels of visitors, such as Arcadia Cottages, Mburo Safari Lodge, Eagle’s Nest Lodge, Mantana Tented Camp, Mihingo Lodge, Rwakobo Rock, and Rwonyo Rest Camp.
