SIZE:
260 sq km
LOCATION:
In the south, near Mbarara
Lying in the one part of Uganda covered in
extensive acacia woodland, Mburo has markedly
different fauna to other reserves.
Lake Mburo is the best place in the country to
see the gigantic eland antelope, as well as
zebra, topi, impala, and several
acacia-associated birds.
The five lakes within the park attract hippos,
crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds, while
fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus
specialists such as the sitatunga antelope and
red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek.
WHAT TO DO:
Game Viewing
is the major tourist activity in this Park, it
is famous for its richness in 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
The presence of Lake Mburo within the park is a
blessing worth mentioning. The lake is rich with
a diversity of animal and plant species which
can only be viewed clearly if you take a boat
trip. The crocodiles, hippopotamuses and birds
like Pelicans, Black crake, Heron, cormorant,
fish eagle, you may also sight the rare Shoebill
Stork and all these will furnish your visit with
pride. The duration of each boat cruise is
negotiable.
Guide 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. The
trail is interpreted in form of a brochure in
both English and Runyankole.
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.
Note: Walks inside the park must be in
company of an armed park official.
Rubanga Forest
You can also explore this forest by making
arrangements with the Park Management to have a
Ranger accompany you. 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 podlike 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
First-time visitors to Lake Mburo National
Park are fascinated by the variety of large
mammals and colorful birds. For many people,
birds are the most interesting to watch. As
common species become familiar, you will begin
to notice smaller, less spectacular birds; the
real experts seem to get most excited by 'Little
Brown jobs' ('LBJs') which are the hardest to
identify. Although many birds are wild spread,
others are more fussy 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.
This Park has Open water birds, Lakeshore and
papyrus swamp birds, Seasonal swamp birds,
Woodland birds, Grassland birds and Forest
birds.
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
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.
For more information on birds, please contact
the Park Management. |
