Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National park is a Ugandan park positioned in Nyabushozi County, in kiruhura district near Mbarara in the western region. The park is about 30 kilometers east of Mbarara and about 240 kilometers west of the capital of Uganda – Kampala. Lake Mburo national park was first gazetted in 1933 preserving it from the hunters and in 1963; it was upgraded as a game reserve.

Occupying an area of approximately 260 square kilometers, Lake Mburo National Park hosts a variety of mammal species, primate species and also bird species which are over 300 in number. Among the animals in the park include impalas, hippos, zebras, common eland, warthogs, African buffalos and others. Also, Lake Mburo national park is a home to some predators like leopards, lions, hyenas, jackals, serval cats, genets and others. While on a safari in Lake Mburo National park, a number of there are numerous attractions one can do and also activities to take part in.

Safari attractions in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo

This is the main attraction in the national park since the park was renamed form it. The lake’s banks attract a variety of animal and bird species including the crocodiles and hippos. Bird species include Malachite kingfishers, African fish eagles, Rufous long-tailed starlings, pelicans, herons, hammerkops, rare shoebills and others.

Rwonyo rest camp

This is regarded as the center of all tourism activities in the park. This is where most activities in the park like game drives, nature walking and forest walks begin from.

Rubanga forest

This forest is located on the western side of the park. It provides a clear view of different species in the park including the tree species, bird species and some animal species. Among the birds to spot in the park include Narina trogon, harrier hawk, grey backed cameroptera and others.

Safari activities In Lake Mburo National Park

Game viewing

With over 70 mammal species and 300 bird species, Lake Mburo National park is one of the best options in Uganda to view the wildlife. The animals can be seen during game drive through the trails of the park, during an optional boat cruise and also during a guided nature walk through the short savannahs of the park. Lake Mburo National park has a large concentration of healthy giraffes and hippos and also crocodiles in Lake Mburo. Spot a variety of bird species along the lake shores while having a boat cruise.

Horseback riding

Lake Mburo National Park is the only park in Uganda where game viewing is done while on a horseback. The experience is done at Mihingo lodge under the guide and supervision of a game ranger. Explore the splendid beauty of Lake Mburo National park while on 1-3 hours horseback.

Night game drive

Lake Mburo National park is one of the destinations where travelers can carry out night game drives. This experience involves searching for the nocturnal animals in the park. Among these animals include porcupine, leopards, white tailed mongoose, bush babies and others.

Boat cruise

Enjoy the amazing views of the fauna and flora in Lake Mburo National park while on a boat cruise on Lake Mburo National park.  Animal species seen while on the boat cruise include crocodiles, hippos and others. Also, travelers can sight bird species like African fish eagles, king fishers, herons, rare African fin foot, hammerkops and others.

Birding

With over 300 bird species, Lake Mburo National Park is one of the best places for bird spotting. Remember to carry your binoculars to view beautiful and amazing bird species. A numerous birds can be seen during a safari walk through the park and also during a boat cruise. Among the birds in the park include pelicans, King Fishers, rare shoe bills, hammerkops, herons, cormorants, and others.

Cultural encounters

Lake Mburo National park is neighbored by the community of the Bahima, Banyankole people. These are people who practice cattle rearing. Learn more from these local people like ghee making and others. Also, enjoy their stories, dances and songs.

Fishing

This activity is done on Lake Mburo. The lake has got 6 fish species including tilapia fish, lung fish, cat fish, Angara fish, tiger fish, and barbell fish. Enjoy the activity by the guidance of a ranger at the major fishing spot of Mazinga.

Serengeti National park

Serengeti national park is a large national park in Northern Tanzania stretching over 14,763 square kilometers. The park is located in eastern Mara region and north east portion of Simiyu region containing over 15,000,000hectares of virgin savanna. The Serengeti national park become a national park in 1940 and in 1948, it was granted strict protection when the Serengeti National park Board of Trustees was formed to administer the national park and later fully established as a national park in 1952. The park is well known for the largest animal migration in the world of over 1.5million blue wildebeest and 250,000 zebra and the largest lion population in Africa. The park is also a home to a variety of other animals like cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, and also bird species. The following are the must see and do activities at Serengeti national park;

Wildlife: Serengeti national park is a home to a number of different wildlife including the big world’s five animals- lions, African elephants, African leopard, buffalos and the black rhinoceros. Other wild life includes cheetahs, spotted hyenas, honey badger, caracal, serval, striped hyena, African wild cat, bat-eared fox and others.

Reptile species: Serengeti national park is encompassed by a variety of reptile species including the Nile crocodile, leopard tortoise, serrated hinged terrapin, rainbow agama, Nile monitor, African python, black mamba, chameleon, puff adder and others.

Bird species: Enjoy seeing the beautiful and colorful bird species and also enjoy there song like sounds since the park is a home to more than 500 bird species including the Maasai ostrich, kori bustards, secretary bird, black smith lapwing, southern ground hornbill, crowned cranes, cattle egrets, black herons, white stock, marabou stocks, yellow billed stork, spotted thick knees, Tanzanian red billed horn bill, love birds, and so many species of vultures.

The wildebeest migration: This migration has been described in different ways by different people but all in all it is one of the 7 wonders of the world. The yearly journey of about 1 million wildebeests, zebras and other forms of animals is such a great a great experience in Serengeti national park. A number of animals travel a different mile in search of pastures and clean water.  This migration has been one of the attractions in Serengeti national park since travelers sight different animals flocking to different destinations.

Moru Kopjes: These are the perfect places to spot the black rhinos. These scattered rocks around the park provide shade to many preys and predators.

Olduvai Gorge: A place where the remains of the early man were dug about 1 million years ago by Dr, Louis leaky is also another attraction at Serengeti national park.

The local people (Maasai Mara): Besides the bird and animals species, Serengeti national park is also a home to the Maasai Mara people whose cultural practices like songs, dances and stories will catch your memory in a better way.

Retina hippo pool: This is a place where hippos can be found dipping in large numbers.

Seronera river valley: This is another attraction at Serengeti national park that provides perfect views of the park to the traveler.  The valley is known as the summary of the park since it consists of the rivers, mountains and also animal species.

Accommodation facilities at Serengeti national park

The park is made up of different accommodation facilities affordable to every client ranging from budget, mid-range, and luxury cost. Among the accommodations include; Ole Serai luxury camp, Serengeti Serena safari lodge, Mbalageti Serengeti, Serengeti sound of silence, Serengeti sametu camp, and others.

How to access Serengeti national park

The best option to get to the park is to fly into Kilimanjaro international airport, situated about 46km from Arusha. It is also possible to fly into Julius Nyerere international airport just outside Dar es Salaam and then fly to Arusha airport.

When one decides to use road transport, the trip is about 325km taking about 8 hours.