Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo is the smallest of Uganda's savannah parks and the closest to Kampala, which makes it a natural first or last stop on a circuit. Acacia woodland runs down to a chain of lakes and papyrus swamps, and because there are no elephant and very few large predators, the park permits activities that others cannot: guided walking safaris, horseback riding and night drives are all available. It is the only Ugandan park with impala, and the only reliable place in the country to see both Burchell's zebra and eland. A boat trip on Lake Mburo itself adds hippo, crocodile and a strong list of waterbirds including the African finfoot.

Why visit Lake Mburo

• Guided walking safaris and horseback riding, possible because there are no elephant and few large predators.
• The only Ugandan park with impala, and the most reliable for zebra and eland.
• A boat trip on the lake for hippo, crocodile and the elusive African finfoot.
• Close enough to Kampala to work as a first or last night on a longer circuit.

Wildlife

Burchell's zebra, impala, eland, topi, waterbuck, bushbuck and buffalo across the acacia woodland, plus hippo and crocodile in the lakes. Leopard and hyena are present but rarely seen, and lion have only recently begun returning. There are no elephant or giraffe in the park. Birdlife is strong, with over 350 recorded species.

• Burchell's zebra in numbers, unusual for Uganda
• Impala — found in no other Ugandan park
• Eland, the largest African antelope
• Hippo and African finfoot on the lake
• Over 350 recorded bird species

Best time to visit

Year-round, with June to August and December to February driest. The park's smaller scale means game viewing holds up reasonably well even in wetter months.

June–August and December–February.

Things to do

Walking safari

Guided walks with a ranger — genuinely possible here because of the absence of elephant.

Boat trip on Lake Mburo

Hippo, crocodile and waterbirds including the African finfoot.

Horseback safari

Riding among zebra and antelope, offered by operators near the park and arranged separately.

Night drives

After-dark drives for leopard, hyena, bushbaby and genet.

How long to stay

One night is the norm, arriving for an afternoon activity and leaving after a morning drive or walk. Two nights suits anyone who wants the walking, boat and night drive without compressing them.

What it combines with

Lake Mburo sits on the road between Kampala and the south-west, so it appears as a first or last stop on circuits that also take in Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth.