Birding in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is conveniently located close to the western highway that connects Kampala to the parks of western Uganda. It doubles as the smallest park situated between Masaka and Mbarara district taking approximately 4 hours drive. Lake Mburo National Park is one of the best birding spots in Uganda and is endowed with several wildlife species for example giraffes, buffalos, elands, warthogs, waterbucks, antelopes, zebras, oribis, topi, and on a boat cruise, you can be able to view hippos and crocodiles.it boasts with very rich diversity of rolling hills, woodlands, forests seasonal and permanent swamps, lakes, savannah vegetation and the striking landscape.

Lake Mburo National Park has a variety of vegetative habitats that surround the open water lake. The western side is dominated by a grassy escarpment rising above shore line fringed with acacia forest and a closed canopy, to the north and east grassy valley floors made seasonally lush and soggy by rain drain between undulating hills. It has a very respectable bird list with around 350 bird species recorded to date.

The park has a very respectable bird list with a variety of different species including the famous shoebill, papyrus yellow wabler, African fin foot, tabora cisticola, great snipe, Abyssinian ground horn bill, white winged wabler,brown chested wattled plover,carruthias cisticola,saddled billed stork, fishing eagle, grey crowned crane, cocui francolin, emerald spotted wood, red-faced barbet, among many other species. The best time for bird watching is in the morning and evenings. Uganda Safaris to Lake Mburo National Park give tourists an opportunity to marvel at the unique wildlife and bird species in the park.

Lake Mburo lies between two towns of Masaka and Mbarara in Western Uganda, 228km from Kampala about four hours’ drive. The park can be accessed through two gates; Sanga and Nshara. The turning of Nshara gate is 13km past Lyantonde. The junction of Sanga gate is at Sanga trading center 27km past Lyantonde.

Uganda Wildlife Authority provides a range of budget accommodation in the park on the Eastern side of Lake Mburo. Permanent tents are available at Rwonyo Rest Camp, while a beautiful campsite is positioned on the lake shore. Accommodation is also found at Mantana Tented Camp and Mihingo Safari Lodge which stands just outside the eastern boundary or the park.

Lake Mburo National Park is one of Uganda’s best destinations for birders with the most eye-catching and outstanding birds attracting interest and color for enjoyment and is best explored by booking with a reputable Uganda tour company, such as African Pearl Safaris.