Lake Mburo

Lake Mburo National Park covers 370 square kilometers in the Ankole region of western Uganda. It sits between the towns of Masaka and Mbarara, making it the closest savannah national park to Kampala. The park’s landscape features open savannah, acacia woodland, rocky ridges, wetlands, and five small lakes, with Lake Mburo being the largest and central feature.

The area was first designated as a controlled hunting ground in 1933 to regulate wildlife use. In 1963, it was upgraded to a game reserve, and in 1983, it was officially gazetted as a national park. This transition was part of broader efforts to conserve biodiversity in Uganda. However, the change in land status also led to tensions with local communities who had used the land for grazing, a challenge that continued through the 1980s. Today, community conservation programs help promote cooperation and shared benefits.

Lake Mburo is the only park in Uganda where impalas are found, and it is one of only two parks with zebras, the other being Kidepo Valley. It is also home to the largest population of elands in the country. Other animals include buffaloes, warthogs, hippos, topis, waterbucks, and newly reintroduced Rothschild’s giraffes. Leopards are present but elusive.

Because the park lacks elephants, the vegetation remains more open and accessible, allowing for activities like walking safaris, horseback rides, and biking that are not commonly available in other national parks. This makes Lake Mburo a unique and versatile stop, especially for travelers looking for short visits or varied activity options in a compact area.