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Lake Mburo National Park (LMNP) is a very special place; every part of it is alive with variety, interest and colour. LMNP contains an extensive area of wetland. The park harbours several species of mammals including zebras, impalas, elands, topi and buffaloes. The bird population includes the rare Shoebill stork. Its sculptured landscape with rolling grassy hills and idyllic lakeshores has a varied mosaic of habitats: forest galleries, rich acacia tree valleys, seasonal and permanent swamps which all support a wealth of wildlife. The park is only 370sq km and the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks. Its mosaic habitat: dry hillside, rocky outcrops, bushes, thickets, open and wooded savannahs, forests, lakes and swamps are home to a surprising diversity of plants and animals.

Location: Lake Mburo National Park is situated in Mbarara district. It is about 3.5 hours drive from Kampala. The park is accessed from the Masaka-Mbarara road; turn left to Nshara gate (13kms past Lyantonde) or alternatively turn left at Sanga trading centre (27kms past Lyantonde) which brings you through Sanga gate. Both junctions have clearly marked signposts. It is about 13 km from Sanga trading centre to Sanga gate and 8 km from the main road to Nshara gate. It is about 20 minutes drive from either gates to Rwonyo park headquarters.

Mantana Tented Camp combines seclusion and exclusivity in enchanting surroundings, offering extraordinary contrasts of comfort and wilderness. The camp is a luxurious retreat with an emphasis on personal service, airy tents and a well stocked bar where guests can unwind after the day’s activities. It is situated on a small hill overlooking Lake Mburo and one of the game corridors leading to the lake.

Game Drives: The park has a number of tourist tracks that are used for game drives. Impala track exposes the visitor to a diverse species of animals. Impala is the most common species viewed along this track although one may sight a number of waterbucks, warthogs, topis and zebras.

Zebra track leads to harems of Burchell’s zebra (Equus burchelli) with other species like bushbucks, oribi and reedbucks. The zebra track leads to the junction of Ruroko track, a drive through a wetland basin and thick acacia shrub and woodland, with olive trees and euphorbia species. Kopjes (rock outcrops) found along the Ruroko track, are home to elusive klipspringers to which the rock is the best habitat.

The Kazuma track passes through wooded grassland where black-bellied bustards often patrol the area. For visitors to experience a real exposure of Lake Mburo National Park, they should climb Kazuma hill, which is high enough to enable them to see what they could have missed. The five lakes within the park and the rolling hills become more visible and attractive. Its better seen than read or heard!

Kigambira loop takes you through a wooded wilderness with scattered thicket and while you are here, look out for bushbucks and bush duikers.

The Lakeside track is specially designed to facilitate viewing of water plants and animals. The park has a diversity of water birds and woodland birds which can be sighted along these tracks.

Boat Trips: The presence of Lake Mburo within the park is a blessing. The lake is rich with a diversity of animal and plant species, which can only be viewed clearly while on a boat trip. These include crocodiles, hippopotami and birds like Pelicans, Black crake, Heron, Cormorant and Fish eagle but you may also see the rare Shoebill stork, all of which will furnish your visit with pride.

The duration of each boat ride is 2 hours maximum, but arrangements for extra time can be made with management at an extra fee.

Gorilla Forest Camp is a permanent luxury tented camp nestled in the mist-swathed rainforest of a mountainside in the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Designed to blend seamlessly into the forest-clad mountains that protect this fragile eco-system, its accommodation is in double tents raised on wooden platforms, each with en-suite facilities, hot and cold running water and unusually – a bathtub looking out into the forest. Each tent has a spacious wooden veranda where guests can relax, enjoy a private meal and absorb the exotic mystery of the surrounding rainforest that provided the animation of Disney’s The Jungle Book.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in south western Uganda, on the edge of the Western Rift Valley (Albertine rift) and is shared by Kanungu, Kabale and Kisoro districts. It is 331 sq km in size and on an altitude range of 1,160 metres (Ishasha gorge) to 2,607 metres (Rwamanyonyi Peak). The annual average temperature range is 7°C - 20°C with the coldest period being June and July.

Of the local people neighbouring the park, the majority are Bakiga and Bafumbira, constituting the most dense settlements in Uganda (350 people/sq km). A few Batwa are also found.

Species Diversity: Bwindi is home to 326 gorillas, almost a half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. There are also 346 species of birds and over 200 species of butterflies. This afromontane forest has dense under storey of fern, vines and shrubs. About 324 tree species have been recorded here, 10 of which occur nowhere else in Uganda.

Bird Watching: Bwindi is the bird watchers haven! It holds 346 species of birds and contains 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa and seven IUCN red data listed species. An experienced bird watcher can identify up to 100 species in a day! Visit Ruhija and Buhoma for this dream. Indicate your interest to the Park Management so that appropriate early morning departures can be arranged.

Gorilla Tracking: This is the major activity in Bwindi, with four gorilla groups currently available daily for tourists. Mubare group (10 gorillas, 1 silverback) was opened for tourism in 1993, Habinyanja group (18 gorillas, 1 silverback) opened in July 1998, Rushegura group (10 gorillas, 1 silverback) was opened in July 2002, while Nkuringo group (19 gorillas, 2 silverbacks) was opened for tourism in April 2004.

Book at least 6 months (but not more than two years) in advance to ensure that requested dates are available.

Gorilla tracking in Bwindi can be challenging, therefore ensure fitness. The tracking experience starts at 8.30 am local time and can last from a few hours to a whole day! Registration at the gate commences at 7.45 am.

What to bring:

·         Wear jungle shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes and carry a rain jacket because the park is often wet.

·         Put on ear plugs for those who feel uncomfortable with jungle sounds.

·         Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable) and insect repellant.

·         Carry a packed lunch.

For conservation reasons, visits to the gorillas are tightly controlled. The following rules apply and must be strictly adhered to:

·         No one with a communicable disease (e.g. flu, diarrhea) is allowed to enter the park.

·         Stay together in a tight group while with the gorillas, don’t surround them.

·         Don’t get closer than 7 metres (21 feet) to the gorillas.

·         Don’t eat or smoke when with the gorillas or within a distance of 200 metres from the gorillas.

·         Turn away from the gorillas if you have to sneeze or cough. Cover your nose and mouth in the process.

·         Burry all human feaces a minimum of one foot deep and ensure that the hole is properly covered.

·         Don’t leave litter. All litter must be carried out of the park and disposed off properly.

·         No person under 15 years is allowed to track gorillas.

·         Don’t spit on vegetation or soil when in the park; use your hankie or other garment.

·         Your group must not be more than 6 tourists and must all be over 15 years old.

Bushara Island Camp is a popular facility on Lake Bunyonyi (Lake of the Little Birds). The first of its kind, the camp is a stopover to and from Gorilla tours, a bird watcher's haven, and a private place for retreats.  This small island is peaceful, safe, natural, and particularly intriguing to day-visitors and families, and a special hide-out for the weary traveller.  The perfect location to get away from it all, Bushara Island is a wonderful place to relax in nature.  The green hills and papyrus swamps offer many opportunities for birdwatching and Eucalyptus trees provide quiet place to sit and read a book.