Weather and Climate of Lake Mburo National Park : Lake Mburo National Park is one of the sought-full safari destinations while planning for a Uganda wildlife safari. The park is only national park in Uganda strategically located close to Uganda’s Capital- Kampala, makes it a popular safari destination. It’s positioned in Western Uganda in Kiruhura District East of Mbarara town. It covers a total area of 370 Square Kilometers of which Lake Mburo and the surrounding wetlands take 20% of its area. This incredible park is consisting of hillsides, rocky outcrops, open and wooden grassland, rich acacia tree valleys, forests, bushes and thickets together with permanent and seasonal swamps along the shores of the Lakes
Lake Mburo National Park has a mild climate. Daytime temperatures are around 26 degrees Celsius /79-degree Fahrenheit, with nights averaging 16 degrees Celsius /61-degree Fahrenheit. The driest months by far are June and July. January and February also tend to be months of lesser rainfall. There are two recognizable Wet seasons, from March to May and September to December.
Dry Seasons–January to February & June to August
January and February
Lake Mburo National Park experiences different weather patterns throughout the year. In January and February, the park gets more rain than it does in the dry months of June and July, but it still receives less rainfall compared to the rest of the year. During the day, temperatures usually hover around 27 degrees Celsius (81-degree Fahrenheit), while in the mornings, it’s cooler, with temperatures falling to about 15 degrees Celsius (59-degree Fahrenheit).
June, July and August
Lake Mburo National Park experiences distinct weather patterns throughout the year, especially during the months of June, July, and August. In June and July, the park is mostly dry, although there could be some unexpected rainfall. As August arrives, the dry season begins to shift toward the wet season, resulting in more frequent rain showers. During these months, the average daytime temperature hovers around 26 degrees Celsius (about 79-degree Fahrenheit), providing warm afternoons, while mornings are cooler, with temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius (about 59-degree Fahrenheit). This weather sets the stage for a variety of wildlife experiences in the park as the environment changes.
Wet Seasons–March to May & September to December
March, April and May
Lake Mburo National Park experiences its rainiest months from March to May, with April usually seeing the heaviest downpours. During this time, daytime temperatures generally reach about 27 degrees Celsius (81-degree Fahrenheit), while the mornings tend to be cooler, averaging around 15 degrees Celsius (59-degree Fahrenheit). This wet season brings vibrant greenery and a lively atmosphere to the park, making it a unique time to visit.
September, October, November and December
Lake Mburo National Park experiences unique weather and climate patterns throughout the year. From September to December, the park sees a bit less rainfall compared to the heavier rainy season that occurs in March, April, and May. November is typically when the rain is heaviest during this period. During the day, temperatures hover around a comfortable 26 degree Celsius (about 79-degree Fahrenheit), while at night, it cools down to around 16 degrees Celsius (around 61-degree Fahrenheit). Overall, this season offers pleasant weather for exploring the park’s beautiful landscapes and wildlife.
Amazing safari activities to do while on a Uganda wildlife safari in Lake Mburo National Park
Game Drives
Exploring Lake Mburo National Park by vehicle is an exciting way to see the animals up close. You can ride through the grassy plains and dense forests, where you might spot eland antelopes, buffaloes, topis, eland, bush buck, warthog, leopard, hyena and jackal. Hippos and large crocodiles are also frequently seen along the shores of the Lake busking on sun. If you are lucky enough you may get to see elusive leopard.
Birdwatching
Lake Mburo is a paradise for bird lovers, with over 300 species to discover. The park is encompassing of acacia, savanna grassland, woodland and aquatic associates which are habitats for a variety of these colorful bird species. During your birdwatching tour, you’ll have the chance to spot birds such as Abyssinian ground hornbill, saddle billed stork, African fish eagle, rufous-bellied heron, white wingled warbler, great spipe, red papyrus gonolek, Africa finfoot, red-faced barbet, tabora cisticola, black bellied bustard, brown chested wattled plover, emerald spotted wood, Carruthers’s cisticola, grey crown crane, papyrus yellow warbler, bare faced go away bird, cocui francolin among others
Boat cruise
Taking a boat cruise on Lake Mburo lets you enjoy the park from a different perspective. As you glide across the water, you might see a variety of animals coming to quench their thirst in the Lake especially during the dry season where the Lake seems to be the only permanent water source. Some of the wildlife you might encounter while cruising along the Kazinga Channel includes hippos lounging and crocodiles basking in the sun. Other wildlife species includes waterbucks, Zebras, warthogs, buffaloes as well as different water birds like cormorant, fish eagle, pelican, heron, king fishers, African Fish Eagles among others.
Horseback riding
For a unique safari experience, try horseback riding through the park. this park is the only national park in Uganda offering visitors this exciting experience. The activity will enable you to closely encounter with nature. The ride offers a unique fabulous based adventures in the savannah plains and other game track trails of Lake Mburo National Park. while marvelling the park on Horseback, you will get a closer encounter with different wildlife species that call the park home such as large number of eland antelopes, buffaloes, topis, eland, bush buck, warthog, leopard, hyena and jackal and many more. This safari activity lasts about 1-4 hours and the rates are according to the hours.
