National park · Uganda
Lake Mburo National Park
Enter Lake Mburo National Park: pay the entry fee (check), drive from Kampala (≈2 h), hike the 5 km (3.1 mi) Ruroko trail in the morning, and stay at a lodge near the park gate.Enter Lake Mburo National Park: pay the entry fee (check), drive from Kampala (≈2 h), hike the 3.1 mi (5 km) Ruroko trail in the morning, and stay at a lodge near the park gate.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
370 km² (143 sq mi)143 sq mi (370 km²)
approximate
Established
1983
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Uganda ↗Get the Uganda e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa on the official immigration portal before flying, and carry a yellow fever certificate: Uganda asks all arriving travellers for one.
- Uganda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead for malaria prevention, and check current outbreak notices: Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred in the region, most recently in 2026.
- Uganda ↗Book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits before you fix dates; the lodge booking follows the permit, not the other way round.
- Uganda ↗Domestic light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Western Uganda ↗Gorilla permits are sold per person per trek and must be booked through a licensed operator; carry the printed permit and your passport to the trailhead.
- Western Uganda ↗Uganda checks a yellow fever certificate on arrival for all travellers.
- Western Uganda ↗Carry cash in Ugandan shillings for park gates, fuel and village stops; card machines fail outside the bigger towns.
At a glance
- Country
- Uganda
- Area
- 370 km² (143 sq mi)143 sq mi (370 km²)
- Area reported as 370 km²; some sources cite slightly different boundaries (check).
- Established
- 1983
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Lake Mburo National Park protects savannah plains, wetlands and cultural sites on the shores of Lake Mburo, offering game drives, boat safaris and easy hikes.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1983.
Size and age
370 km² (143 sq mi)143 sq mi (370 km²) · national park since 1983
Area reported as 370 km²; some sources cite slightly different boundaries (check).
Why go
- Savannah plains with zebras, impalas and lions on the edge of a large lake.
- Birdwatching for fish eagles and other wetland species.
- Cultural sites like Rubanga and Ruroko within the park.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanShort rains may make roads muddy.
- FebRainy season begins.
- MarRainfall increases.
- AprTransition to drier weather.
- MayDry, good wildlife viewing.
- JunDry season, optimal game drives.
- JulDry, cool mornings.
- AugDry, excellent visibility.
- SepDry, low malaria risk.
- OctEnd of dry season, some rain.
- NovShort rains return.
- DecRainy season starts.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zebra, impala, topi, lion, leopardAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Fish eagle, hippo, crocodileAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate area | Visitor centre, vehicle parking, entry desk. | Open with ticket. |
| Ruroko cultural site | Historical rock art and shrines. | Short walk from gate. |
| Lake shoreline | Boat launches, bird hides. | Open, guided boat trips available. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, centred on the main gate area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | UGX 50,000–60,000 | person | Check latest price on park office. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for backcountry trekking and boat trips.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites; permits obtained at gate.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited outside designated areas.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mhingo Lodge
Safari tents with en‑suite facilities, 5‑minute drive from gate.
Near the park
Hyena Hill Lodge
Lodges with lake views and mountain‑bike tours.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Wild animal encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area reachable by car; short walks are wheelchair‑accessible.
- Longer trails and boat trips not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use park‑approved guides and avoid unofficial tours.
- Support lodges that employ local staff and purchase local food.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lake Mburo National Park?
Adult entry is about USh50,000–60,000; children pay less. Prices should be confirmed at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Lake Mburo National Park?
The Ruroko cultural trail (2–3 km, easy) and the longer backcountry trek to Rubanga (requires a guide).
When is the best time to visit Lake Mburo National Park?
The dry season June to September offers the best wildlife viewing and road conditions.
Can I camp inside Lake Mburo National Park?
Yes, at designated campsites; you need a camping permit from the gate.
Is a guide mandatory for game drives?
A guide is required for any off‑road game drive or backcountry trek.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Lake Mburo National Park
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