Lake Mburo National Park Boat Safari Experience.
Boat Cruise Safari in Lake Mburo National Park: Lake Mburo National Park is situated in Kiruhura District in Uganda’s western region and is the smallest savannah park in Uganda. Despite its size, it is rich in wildlife and offers a variety of ecotourism activities. The park is home to a wide variety of animals, such as buffaloes, waterbucks, oribi, duikers, bushbucks, reedbucks, bush pigs, warthogs, topi, zebras, giraffes, impalas, elands, hippopotamuses, the prehistoric shoebill stork, and over 350 species of birds.
The boat safari activity in Lake Mburo National Park offers an excellent wildlife and bird viewing experience. The boat cruise is one of the highlights and a must on a Uganda safari in the park. It is done in two sessions daily.
During the boat cruise, visitors are accompanied by an experienced park guide who provides valuable information about the lake, the park and its wildlife. The boat ride offers opportunities to spot animals such as hippos and Nile crocodiles in the wild. Visitors can also enjoy some beautiful landscapes and watch animals drink on the shores, including buffaloes, warthogs, giraffes and waterbucks.
Birders will be especially rewarded on this cruise as they are able to see water birds, including cormorants, hornbills, kingfishers, fish eagles, egrets, and more. The cruise also allows you to see local fishermen getting their equipment ready for night fishing, giving you a taste of the lively ecosystem of the park.
How to book the boat cruise on Lake Mburo
For those wishing to join a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, there are different options for booking. The cruise can be booked in advance with the Uganda Wildlife Authority for a more convenient schedule. You can also buy the tickets when you arrive at the park, at the jetty before getting in the boat.
Community boats run by local communities also provide a different way of booking for those who are stranded in the scheduled departures of Uganda Wildlife Authority boats. One of the main attractions in Lake Mburo National Park is the Lake Mburo boat cruise, which allows for a water journey along the picturesque channel with wildlife viewing opportunities from the water level.
The cruise is $30 for foreign non-residents, $25 for foreign residents and 30,000 UGX for East African citizens and operates in shifts between 9 am and 5 pm. Each cruise lasts for around 2 hours and departs from the jetty, giving unforgettable trips in the nature of Uganda. Note that these prices are valid until June 2026 this year; thereafter, new prices will be implemented.
Best time to do the boat cruise on Lake Mburo National Park
The best time for a boat cruise on Lake Mburo is during the dry seasons in the months of June to September and December to February annually. Tourists who visit during these times will get great wildlife viewing chances on the lake shores, so it is a must-do for those who enjoy wildlife safaris and boat tours.
Lake Mburo National Park is open all year round; however, chances of wildlife sightings are higher when the park is dry. The boat trip on Lake Mburo is a must while on a Uganda safari, as you get to explore the park’s water world and watch at close range different bird species and land animals near the water.
Other activities in Lake Mburo National Park
Game drives
Game drives in Lake Mburo National Park allow visitors to access a variety of animals as well as the beautiful park’s scenery. These game drives usually run early in the morning or late in the afternoon in 4WD pop-up safari vehicles, which are suitable for rough terrains and for viewing wildlife.
During morning game drives, visitors follow various game tracks like Zebra Track, Kazuma Track, Kigambira Loop and others. These trails provide excellent views of the park and animals such as zebras, oribi, bushbucks, reedbucks and bush duikers. Bird lovers will also have an added chance to observe a myriad of birds, including black-bellied bustards, herons and kingfishers, to name a few.
Lake Mburo National Park also offers night game drives that allow you the chance to experience the park’s animals in the dark. Accompanied by park rangers, spotlights in hand from 4WD vehicles, visitors get the chance to spot animals that are out and about after dark, including genets, bush pigs, leopards, white-tailed mongooses and hippos. A night game drive is a perfect way to add a little spice to the wildlife safari experience and view some animals that hardly make an appearance on daytime safaris.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing is also a major tourism activity at Lake Mburo National Park, providing a destination for fishermen and adventure seekers. This takes place at specially designated places in the park, like Mazinga, and all tourists come through me, who guides them in a safe and well-controlled manner. Visitors wanting to take part in sport fishing must purchase a sport fishing permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and bring their own fishing gear.
While sport fishing, visitors are afforded the assistance of professional guides who are with them the entire time, making the trip safer and more successful. There are six (6) fish types found in the Lake Mburo National Park, which include lungfish, mudfish, tilapia, catfish and tiger fish. Among these, tilapia is the most common caught species, providing an exciting catch for anglers.
Birdwatching tour
Lake Mburo National Park is famous for its birdlife, hosting over 350 recorded species, including country endemics, migratory birds, waterfowl, savannah birds and forest birds. This diversity makes Lake Mburo National Park a birdwatcher’s paradise. Other good places to watch birds in the area are Rubanga Forest, the marshy valleys of Miriti and Warukiri and also along the roads between Rwonyo Camps.
Birdwatching in Lake Mburo National Park is possible on game drives, along with guided nature walking activities, as well as boat trips on the lakes and rivers. While on your birdwatching tour, you’ll have an opportunity to spot different bird species such as the ancient shoebill stork, saddle-billed stork, African wattled lapwing, African finfoot, papyrus gonolek, red-faced barbet, brown-chested lapwing, blue-headed coucal, blue-breasted kingfisher, white-winged swamp warbler, hairy-breasted barbet, Nubian woodpecker and many more.
They are great for spotting birds, including such notable species as the prehistoric shoebill stork, saddle-billed stork, African wattled lapwing, African finfoot, papyrus gonolek, red-faced barbet and more.
Where to stay in Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park offers a variety of accommodation to cater for all pockets of visitors, ranging from budget to mid-range and luxury lodges. Some of the great lodges where you can stay following your adventure include the Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Leopard Rest Camp and Rwakobo Rock Lodge, among many others.
They offer comfortable accommodation and are all within easy reach of the park’s main attractions. There are also boat trips on Lake Mburo for those who would like to visit the park by water, which is a wonderful way to view the landscape and wildlife.
How to get to Lake Mburo National Park
By Road: The park is approximately a 3-to-4-hour drive from Kampala or Entebbe, making road travel a convenient option. The park is also accessible through some main gates, namely Kyanyanshara Gate (which links with Mihingo Lodge), Akagate Gate and Sanga Gate (which takes you to Rwakobo Rock Lodge). These are among the loveliest routes for anyone looking to get wild on a safari adventure and game viewing.
By Air: For a quicker and more comfortable journey, tourists can opt for a flying safari to Lake Mburo National Park. Charter and scheduled air services are available at Kajjansi Airstrip/Entebbe International Airport. Airlines providing the service include Aero Link Uganda and Fly Uganda.
It is recommended to purchase your tickets early, as routing changes according to the number of travellers, destination and weather conditions. The distance from Entebbe to Mbarara Airstrip by plane is approximately 45 minutes; from there, it’s a driving tour to the park.
Why book your boat cruise on Lake Mburo National Park with Chopper Tour & Travel?
Chopper Tour and Travel offers tailor-made boat cruises and safaris in Lake Mburo National Park, making it an ideal choice for wildlife and nature lovers. Our dedicated and trustworthy team specialise in creating tailor-made safaris that include exciting boat cruises on Lake Mburo that allow you to see both water and land wildlife.
Our knowledgeable tour consultants are available to answer your questions within 20 minutes; we make the planning process easy and keep the arrangements simple. They will create a customised travel itinerary to answer all your questions and will book any required services in advance so that you do not encounter any inconveniences on your trip.
Additionally, we provide knowledgeable safari guides tailored to your language preferences, enhancing your experience of Lake Mburo National Park. Whether you want to go on boat cruises, game drives, or guided nature walks, our priorities are your satisfaction and happiness to ensure you have a memorable and exceptional adventure.
Contact us if you want more information and to make reservations.
