Best Time to Visit Lake Mburo
Best Time to Visit Lake Mburo: The park has a favourable climate with a rich biodiversity that supports diverse wildlife and is open to visitors, researchers, and birdwatchers all year round. The park receives about 800 mm of rain annually and is located in a rain shadow between Lake Victoria and the Rwenzori Mountains. Rainfall occurs in two main seasons: short rains from September to December, especially in April and November, and long rains from March to June. The average temperature in the park is 26°C, with hot days reaching up to 32°C and cooler nights dropping to 14°C. While July and August are typically the hottest months, January and February can also be quite warm. Visitors can enjoy the park’s natural beauty and diverse wildlife during any season.
Best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park
The best times to visit Uganda, especially Lake Mburo National Park, are during the rainy seasons in March and October. In Lake Mburo, the grass remains manageable, making visits enjoyable. The rainy season doesn’t mean constant rain; it often clears up, bringing sunny and fresh air with good visibility over 100 km. On clear days, you might see the Rwenzori Mountains 140 km away. After cloudy days, temperatures drop, so it’s advisable to bring warm clothing for cool evenings or rainy days.
Dry Seasons: June to August and December to February
Following the best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park, the driest months of the year are June, July, and August, but some rain can still happen. August often marks the shift between dry and rainy seasons, leading to more rain. Morning temperatures average around 13 °C (55 °F), while midday temperatures are about 27 °C (81 °F). December to February has more rain than June and July, with morning temperatures around 14°C (57°F) and noon temperatures at 27°C (81°F).
Wet Seasons: March to May and September to November
The wettest months in Uganda are March, April, and May, with April receiving the most rain. Daytime temperatures average around 26°C (79°F) and morning temperatures are about 15°C (59°F). From September to November, there is less rain, with November often being the peak month. Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest savannah park in Uganda, is becoming popular among tourists and is also a good option for a day trip from Kampala. For gorilla trekking, visitors can go to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which has mountain gorillas and beautiful landscapes. Travellers can consider a low-cost gorilla safari and may also visit Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park for golden monkeys and mountain gorillas.
Activities to do in Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park, close to Kampala City, offers a variety of activities for visitors. The park is known for its rich biodiversity, including zebras, impalas, elands, topis, primates, and many birds. Activities include game viewing, birdwatching, nature walks, horse riding, salt lick walks, night drives, boat cruises, mountain biking, and community visits.
Accessing Lake Mburo National Park
The park is situated along the Masaka-Mbarara highway in the southern portion of the country, which connects Kampala to the majority of protected areas in the southwest of Uganda, including Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Semliki National Park and Rwenzori National Park, among others.
By road, it takes about 3.5 hours to reach the Lake Mburo National Park. Alternatively, the park can be reached from Kibale National Park via Ibanda Road to Kiruhura District via Rushere. By road, still, the park can still be accessed via Kyambura-Ishaka to Mbarara from Queen Elizabeth National Park. There are three main entrances to the park. Nshara Gate, south of the main road close to Akagate in the west, and Kyanyashara Gate, adjacent to Mihingo Lodge, are other gates. An experienced guide will take you to the park via Nyakisharara Airstrip in Mbarara, which domestic flight connects either Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield.
