Horseback Riding Safari in Lake Mburo Park.
Horseback riding tour is one of the most exciting activities that is only arranged in two destinations in Uganda, that is, Lake Mburo National Park and Jinja. Trust me, you won’t find this activity in any other national park in Uganda except in Jinja and Lake Mburo, making Lake Mburo National Park the best option for those looking forward to exploring its vast savanna while on horseback.
Apart from the Uganda gorilla trekking safari, which is the most common activity done in Uganda, the pearl of Africa, the horseback riding tours have become another top activity enjoyed by travellers on a Uganda safari tour looking for something epic and fun. A Uganda horseback riding tour can easily be done alongside other park activities, including game drives (both morning, afternoon and night), boat cruises on one of the lakes within the park, birding (since the park is home to more than 350 species of birds), guided nature walks, cycling, and cultural tours, all done within Lake Mburo National Park.
Horseback riding in Lake Mburo National Park can be done by an individual as well as a group, and by the way, there is no need for experience to enjoy this activity, as there are always trainers ready to take you through the guiding steps on how to ride a horse.
Horseback riding tours in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda, are solely organised by Mihingo Lodge, allowing travellers to explore inside and outside the park. As of 2026, Mihingo Lodge has only 5 horses and 6 ponies. This implies that there is stiff competition and thus requires timely booking to secure a horse ride slot.
The horse ride tour rates as stipulated by Mihingo Lodge vary depending on the riding time, the nationality of the rider and the location as below:
- A horse ride tour for half an hour outside Lake Mburo National Park costs $25 for guests staying at Mihingo Lodge and $50 for non-Mihingo guests.
- A 1-hour horse ride tour inside or outside Lake Mburo National Park costs $50 for Mihingo guests and $80 for non-Mihingo guests.
- A 2-hour horse ride tour inside or outside Lake Mburo National Park costs $80 for Mihingo guests and $120 for non-Mihingo guests.
- A 3-hour horseback ride tour inside Lake Mburo National Park costs $100 for Mihingo guests and $140 for non-Mihingo guests.
- A 4-hour horseback ride tour inside Lake Mburo National Park costs $120 for Mihingo guests and $160 for non-Mihingo guests.
It is important to note that the horse ride tour is exclusive of park entrance fees; thus, tourists intending to have a ride inside the park must pay park entrance fees before commencing the ride. Lake Mburo Park entrance fees for 2026, as per the Uganda Wildlife Authority, are $40 for foreign non-resident adults, $20 for kids, $30 for foreign resident adults, $10 for kids, and UGX 20,000 for citizens of East African member states (adults) and UGX 5,000 for kids.
Who can do horseback riding?
To be part of the horseback ride tour, one must be below 95 kg, and only two horses can manage this kind of weight as of 2026. The remaining horses carry a maximum weight of 85 kg.
What to see during a horse riding tour in Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest park in Uganda, but it is gifted by nature with lots of beautiful attractions that will make your horse ride interesting. Apart from the enthusiastic feeling of being on the horse’s back, look around your horse riding trails for fauna and flora that make the horse ride even more interesting. Look out for animals like zebra, buffalo, jackal, hippos, kob, eland, and birdlife, including shoebill stork, yellow-winged swamp warbler, Abyssinian ground hornbill, hawk, barbet, African finfoot, and papyrus gonolek, among others.
You may not have time to take those beautiful photos for your memories because all your hands will be busy holding on to the horse. However, you need not worry, as there are lots of stopovers in close vicinity of the wildlife.
All the safety gear, including the helmet, is provided by Mihingo Lodge. However, endeavour to wear long pants to protect your legs from scratches. Horseback riding tours last from a minimum duration of 30 minutes to hours.
Mihingo Lodge, however, organises horse ride tours for up to 3 days, depending on the traveller’s interest and ability to ride. Some prefer short rides, while others like to have more hours. Horse riding safaris are conducted in two shifts, that is, a morning shift at 10 am and an afternoon shift at 2 pm, each offering beautiful encounters with the park dwellers.
Tips for the best and successful horseback ride tour in Lake Mburo National Park include
While preparing,
- Wear long pants or jeans
- Wear comfortable shoes or boots
- Sunscreen is necessary as well
- A helmet (usually provided by the Mihingo lodge)
- Sunglasses
- And insect repellent
During the horse ride tour,
- Relax and sit comfortably
- Own the horse as in take 100% control of the horse and direct it where you want to go
- Stay alert to your journey and your surroundings
- Be gentle with the horse
- Finally, adhere to the guidelines, rules and regulations as per your safari guide at all times throughout your safari.
Getting there
Planning a horse ride safari in Lake Mburo National Park? Here is the best way to get there, but ensure that you have prior bookings for the horse tour to avoid last-minute disappointments.
Well, Lake Mburo National Park is the nearest national park to Kampala/Entebbe out of all the 10 national parks in Uganda. The park is accessed by road from Kampala or Entebbe on a 4-hour drive. Our experienced safari driver from Chopper Tour and Travel is always available to pick you up from your location to the park to have your memorable horseback safari. Get in touch with us today to plan your next adventure.
The strategic location of Lake Mburo National Park makes it easy to connect to other nearby travel destinations, with the nearest being Queen Elizabeth National Park. One can combine Lake Mburo National Park with Queen Elizabeth National Park on a 4- or 5-days Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth wildlife safari.
