Tembea : Lake Mburo

Lake Mburo is the largest of five lakes which, together with the surrounding wetlands, account for 20% of Lake Mburo National Park in western Uganda. Located between the towns of Masaka and Mbarara, Lake Mburo National park is the only place where the impala still occurs and it is the best place to see the eland, Africa’s largest antelope. Large herds of buffalo and zebra’s are common in this park. The story of how Lake Mburo came about is stuff for the Ankole folklore. Two brothers, Kigarama and Mburo lived in a large valley. One night, Kigarama dreamt that they were in danger. When he awoke the next morning, he told his younger brother Mburo of his dream and said they should move. Mburo ignored this advice, but Kigarama wisely moved up into the hills. The valley flooded and a lake was formed, drowning Mburo. Today the lake is named after him, and the hills are called Kigarama after his brother. The area is associated with the Cassine tree which has a powerful aphrodisiac effect. One such tree, showing signs of bark and branch removal, may be seen close to the Kigambira Loop crossroads. The rest of the park is covered with acacia savannah and notable for supporting a wide variety of antelopes. The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles and a variety of water birds, while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists such as the Sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus Gonalek. Accommodation facilities are available at Rwonyo park headquarters with an additional three public campsites. A more luxury accommodation is provided at the Mantana Luxury Tented Camp and an up market place to stay is Mihingo Lodge. Lake Mburo is rich with a diversity of animal and plant species which can only be viewed clearly if you take a boat trip. It has about 68 different species of mammals. The common ones are Zebra, Impala, Buffalo, Topi, and Eland as herbivores not to leave out the rare slightly of Roan antelope and leopard, Hyenas and jackals as predictors. The crocodiles, hippopotamuses and birds like Pelicans, Black crake, Heron, cormorant, fish eagle, you may also sight the rare Shoebill Stork and all these will furnish your visit with pride. The duration of each boat cruise is negotiable. The park has about 313 different bird species including the rare White-winged Warbler. other species to lookout for are; Crested Francolin, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Barefaced Go-away bird, Rednecked Spur, common Quails, Black-billed Barbet, Greenwood Hoopoe, Blue-napped Mousebird, Lilac-breasted Roller, African-grey Hornbill, Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola a drive towards Rwonyo camp may reveal;.Coqui Francolin, Rednecked spurfowl, Black Bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, African-wattled Plover Rufous napped and Flappet larks, Rufuos chested Swallow ,Yellow-throated Long claw and Southern Red Bishop. About six species of fish are found on Lake Mburo the common one being Tilapia (Oreoclcroomisleacosti) but others include lung fish, mud fish, Haplochromes. Using hooks visitors can spend some time catching fish, a shade is provided at the campsite to ensure maximum relaxation for visitors while at the lake. A walk to the nearby salt is a summary of it all. An observation point strategically located wooden hide offers a chance to see at least 4 different species of animals at any one time while they lick the salty soil. Most interesting to note is that this is done without the animal’s conscience. Visitors may also walk to area of their own choice. The park is only 260 sq. km being the smallest of the Uganda’s savanna National Parks but its mosaic habitat, dry hillside, rocky outcrops, bushes thickets, open and wooded savanna forests, lakes and swamps are home to a surprising diversity of plants and animals. Lake Mburo National Park lies in a rain shadow between Lake Victoria and the Rwenzori Mountains and hence provides a convenient stop to the attractions of the southwest like Lake Bunyonyi and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ends

Lifestyle

Tembea : Lake Mburo