Plan your Lake Mburo National Park safari in 2026-2027 with Semu Gorilla Safaris. Located just 4 hours from Kampala, Lake Mburo is Uganda’s smallest savannah park but the closest. It’s the only park in Uganda where you can do horseback safaris, walking safaris, and night game drives.
Lake Mburo safari is perfect for a 2-day weekend trip. The park has no elephants, so it’s safe for walking and horseback. You’ll see zebras, impalas, eland, buffalo, hippos, and over 350 bird species. The main activity is a $35 boat cruiseon Lake Mburo to see hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
Lake Mburo National Park safari packages start from $395 per person for 2 days. The package includes $40 park entry per day, $35 boat cruise, 4×4 transport from Kampala, accommodation, meals, game drive and guide. Add horseback safari for $90 or walking safari for $40.
Book your Lake Mburo safari cost and dates on WhatsApp. Ideal for couples, families, and travelers combining gorilla trekking with a short safari.
About Lake Mburo National Park: Uganda's Closest Savannah
Lake Mburo National Park covers 370 km² in Western Uganda. It was gazetted in 1983 to protect wildlife and the 5 lakes in the park. The main lake, Lake Mburo, is home to hippos and crocodiles.
What makes Lake Mburo safaris unique is that it’s predator-free for big cats and has no elephants. This means you can safely do walking safaris and horseback safaris. It’s also malaria-free and fenced, making it great for families.
The park is part of the 50km long wetland system linked by a swamp. It’s home to Uganda’s largest population of impala and eland. You’ll also see zebra, buffalo, giraffe, and over 350 bird species including the rare African finfoot.
Most lake mburo tours are 2 days from Kampala. It’s a perfect add-on before or after gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Queen Elizabeth.
Lake Mburo Safari Cost 2026-2027: Packages & Prices
The lake mburo safari cost is the cheapest of all Uganda parks because of short drive and lower fees.
Mandatory park fees:
- Park Entry: $40 USD per person per day for foreign non-residents
- Park Entry EAC Citizens: 30,000 UGX per person per day
- Park Entry EAC Residents: $10 USD per person per day
Activity fees:
- Lake Mburo Boat Cruise: $35 USD per person for 2 hours
- Horseback Safari: $90 USD per person for 3 hours
- Walking Safari: $40 USD per person for 3 hours
- Night Game Drive: $40 USD per vehicle
Here are our most popular lake mburo packages for 2026-2027:
| Package | From Price Per Person | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Days Lake Mburo Classic | $395 | Transport, $40 park fees x2, $35 boat cruise, 1 game drive, 1 night, meals, guide |
| 2 Days Lake Mburo + Horseback | $485 | Everything above + $90 horseback safari, optional night drive |
| 3 Days Lake Mburo + Bwindi | $950 | Lake Mburo + Gorilla trekking permit $800, boat cruise, 2 nights |
Budget, mid-range, and luxury lodge options available inside the park. A 30% deposit confirms your lake mburo trip.
Lake Mburo Boat Cruise: 2-Hour Safari on the Lake
The $35 boat cruise is the top activity in Lake Mburo. Boats leave at 9:00am and 3:00pm daily from Rwonyo Jetty. The cruise lasts 2 hours.
On the Lake Mburo boat cruise you will see large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffalo coming to drink, and water birds like kingfishers, pelicans, and the rare African finfoot. The sunset cruise is best for photos.
We include the $35 boat cruise in all our lake mburo national park safari packages. You can also add a private boat for $200.
Horseback Safari and Walking Safari in Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo is the only park in East Africa where you can do a horseback safari. Because there are no lions or elephants, it’s safe to be on foot or horseback.
Horseback Safari: $90 - 3 hours. Ride past zebras, giraffes, and antelope. No experience needed. Available for ages 12+.
Walking Safari: $40 - 3 hours with armed ranger. Track animals on foot and learn about plants and tracks.
Night Game Drive: $40 - Spot bush babies, hyenas, and leopards. Only done in the park.
These activities make lake mburo tours different from other parks. Perfect for adventure travelers.
Wildlife and Best Time to Visit Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo has 5 lakes and wetland. Animals you can see: Zebra, impala, eland, buffalo, warthog, topi, oribi, bushbuck, giraffe. No lions or elephants.
Best time: Dry seasons June-August and December-February. Animals gather at the lake and roads are good. Wet seasons March-May and Oct-Nov are green and great for birding. Lodge rates drop 20%.
Where to stay:
- Luxury: Mihingo Lodge, Kigambira Safari Lodge - $350-$600 per night
- Mid-Range: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge - $150-$280 per night
- Budget: Rwakobo Rock, Eagles Nest - $60-$120 per night
How to Get to Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is the most accessible park in Uganda. It’s only 240km and 4 hours drive from Kampala via the Masaka-Mbarara highway.
By Road: 4 hours from Kampala/Entebbe. 2 hours from Mbarara. All our lake mburo safari packages include 4x4 transport with pop-roof.
By Air: 1 hour charter flight from Entebbe to Nyabushozi airstrip. We can arrange this for luxury packages.
The park entrance is at Nshara Gate. It’s located just off the highway, so you can do a 2-day lake mburo trip even with a late flight.
Where to Stay in Lake Mburo National Park: Lodges 2026-2027
Mihingo Lodge: Perched on a rocky hill with panoramic views. Best luxury option in Lake Mburo. Horseback safaris start from here.
Kigambira Safari Lodge: Eco-friendly luxury tents overlooking Lake Mburo. Great for honeymoons and couples.
Mid-Range Lodges: $150 – $280 per night
Lake Mburo Safari Lodge: Located inside the park near Rwonyo. Easy access to boat cruise jetty. Best value for money.
Arcadia Cottages Lake Mburo: Just outside the gate. Spacious cottages
Lake Mburo vs Murchison Falls vs Queen Elizabeth
Travelers often ask which park to choose. Here’s the difference:
| Park | Drive from Kampala | Best For | Starting Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mburo | 4 hours | Weekend trips, Horseback, Walking, No crowds | $395 |
| Murchison Falls | 6-7 hours | Big 5, Powerful waterfall, $38 boat cruise | $458 |
| Queen Elizabeth | 7-8 hours | Tree climbing lions, Kazinga channel cruise | $498 |
Choose Lake Mburo safaris if you have 2 days, want horseback riding, or are combining with Bwindi gorillas.
FAQ: Lake Mburo National Park Safaris
Book Your Lake Mburo National Park Safari 2026-2027
Ready for a short safari close to Kampala? Our team at Semu Gorilla Safaris will design a custom lake mburo safari for you.
What you get: Transparent pricing with $35 boat cruise and $40 park fees included. Horseback and walking options. 24/7 WhatsApp support.
