A 3-day Lake Mburo safari is a short wildlife trip from Kampala or Entebbe, designed for travellers who want more than a standard game drive. Lake Mburo National Park lies about 228 km southwest of Kampala, making it one of the easiest Ugandan savannah parks to reach by road. Over three days, you explore the park from four different perspectives: by safari vehicle, boat, on foot and on horseback. Look for zebras, impalas, elands, giraffes, buffaloes and topi across the open grassland and acacia woodland, then take to Lake Mburo for hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds along the shoreline. The slower walking and horseback experiences are what make this safari particularly rewarding for travellers who want time outside the vehicle rather than spending the entire trip on game drives.
Safari Highlights
- 3-day Lake Mburo wildlife safari from Kampala or Entebbe
- Equator stop during the journey to western Uganda
- Afternoon boat safari on Lake Mburo
- Close views of hippos and chances to see Nile crocodiles along the shoreline
- Birding for African Fish Eagle, kingfishers, herons, cormorants and African Finfoot
- Early morning wildlife drive through savannah and acacia woodland
- Good chances of seeing zebras, impalas, elands, giraffes, buffaloes, topi and warthogs
- Guided walking safari with an armed ranger
- Visit to a natural salt lick used by wildlife
- Morning horseback safari through the Lake Mburo landscape
- Two nights close to or inside Lake Mburo National Park
- Private safari vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kampala to Lake Mburo and Afternoon Boat Safari
Your Lake Mburo safari begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. Meet your driver-guide and set off southwest towards Masaka and Lake Mburo National Park. Make a stop at the Equator along the way for photographs, refreshments and a look around the local craft stalls before continuing towards the park. The journey from Kampala to Lake Mburo is about 228 km and takes roughly 3½ hours without extended stops, so allow extra time for the Equator visit and traffic. Arrive around lunchtime, check in at your lodge and take some time to settle in before heading out for an afternoon boat safari on Lake Mburo.
the Equator
The boat takes you quietly along the lake’s shoreline and through reed-covered sections, giving you a different perspective of the park. Hippos are a regular sight in the water, while Nile crocodiles can be seen resting along quieter sections of the shore. Keep an eye along the banks for buffaloes, waterbuck and other animals coming down to drink. The lake is also excellent for birdwatching. Keep your binoculars ready for African fish eagles, pied kingfishers, malachite kingfishers, herons, cormorants and other waterbirds. If you’re lucky, you may also spot the elusive African finfoot along the quieter, well-vegetated parts of the shoreline. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and a relaxing overnight stay.
Overnight
Mihingo Lodge
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Guided Walking Safari
Rise early and head out for a morning game drive while the air is still cool and the animals are active. The open valleys, acacia woodland and grasslands around Lake Mburo make for an enjoyable drive, with plenty of opportunities to stop and watch the animals rather than rushing from one sighting to another. Zebras and impalas are among the animals you are most likely to encounter, along with giraffes, elands, buffaloes, topi, Defassa waterbuck, bushbuck and warthogs. Lake Mburo is the only national park in Uganda where you can see impalas, and its open plains make it one of the country’s best places for close zebra sightings. Return to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax. Later in the afternoon, set out on a guided walking safari with an armed ranger. Being on foot gives you a completely different view of the park. You can take your time following animal tracks, looking at feeding signs, identifying plants and listening for bird calls as your ranger points out what is happening around you. If conditions allow, the walk can also take you towards the salt lick area, where zebras, impalas and other herbivores gather to lick the mineral-rich soil. It is a good place to slow down and watch the animals from a safe distance without the barrier of a safari vehicle. Return to the lodge before sunset for dinner and a second night around Lake Mburo.
Guided walking safaris in Lake Mburo
Day 3: Horseback Safari and Return to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, finish your Lake Mburo safari with one of the park’s most memorable activities, a horseback safari. Instead of travelling along the usual game-drive tracks in a vehicle, you ride through the open grasslands where zebras, impalas, elands, warthogs and other wildlife move across the plains. Being on horseback gives you a quieter way to move through the landscape, and animals can behave differently around horses than they do around vehicles. A 2- to 3-hour ride fits well into this 3-day itinerary. Shorter rides are suitable for less experienced riders, while longer routes allow you to cover more of the park and surrounding wildlife areas. Your guide will choose the route according to your riding ability, the weather, and where the wildlife is moving that morning. If horseback riding is not for you, you can replace it with another guided nature walk or a morning game drive. After the activity, return to the lodge for a freshen-up and lunch before beginning the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. You should arrive later in the afternoon or early evening, depending on traffic and your final drop-off point.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Included
- Pickup and drop-off in Kampala or Entebbe
- Private safari transport in a 4×4 vehicle
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Two nights’ accommodation
- Meals as stated in the confirmed itinerary
- Lake Mburo National Park entrance fees
- Ranger services for activities where required
- Bottled drinking water during road transfers and game drives
- Equator stop on the journey to the park
Excluded
- International and domestic flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic and premium drinks
- Tips for guides, rangers, lodge staff and activity guides
- Laundry and other personal expenses
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Accommodation before or after the safari
- Optional activities not listed in the confirmed itinerary
