Lake Mburo

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo may be Uganda’s smallest savannah park, but it’s packed with wildlife. The park is home to nearly 350 bird species, and it’s the best place in Uganda to spot zebras. You’ll also likely see giraffes, impalas, elands, buffalo, hippos, monkeys, and more. 

1. Things to do
2. To: Entebbe
3. To: Lake Bunyonyi / Lake Mutanda / Rushaga 
4. To: Kigali (Rwanda)
5. To: Queen Elizabeth
6. To: Rukungiri

• Night game drive
  Lake Mburo is one of the few parks in Uganda where night drives are allowed. Head out with a guide in an open safari vehicle and spot wildlife using night beams provided by your lodge.
• Boat trip on the lake
  While it may not be the most scenic boat ride in Uganda, it’s a great warm-up for your trip. Look out for hippos, lizards, crocodiles, and the iconic fish eagles soaring above.
• Walking or cycling safari
  Explore the bush on foot or by bike with a local guide. Ask your lodge to arrange this for you.
• Horseback safari
  Mihingo Lodge offers unique horse-riding safaris. Book ahead directly with the lodge for this special experience.

Approx. 6 hours | 265 km

Masaka town is a great place to break up your journey today. You’ll find ATMs, petrol stations, and supermarkets. For lunch, we recommend the lovely Villa Katwe.

Fun stop at the equator
A must-do: get your classic photo with one foot in each hemisphere. 🙂 There are coffee stands, juice bars, and souvenir shops around, too.

Navigating Kampala
At the roundabouts:

• First: take the last exit towards Kampala
• Second: go straight
• Third: take the last exit to the Entebbe Express Highway

Important: The Entebbe Express is Uganda’s only toll road. Make sure to have a 5,000 UGX note ready.

Arrival in Entebbe
The Roadtrip Uganda team will collect your car from your lodge. Enjoy your final evening, filled with memories of your Ugandan road trip.

Have time left?
Check the Entebbe section for ideas on how to spend your last hours in Uganda.

Lake Bunyonyi
Approx. 4 hours | 195 km
Lake Mutanda
Approx. 7 hours | 313 km
Rushaga
Approx. 7 hours | 319 km

Route overview
You’ll travel through an area nicknamed Little Switzerland, a scenic drive with cool air, hilly terrain, and picturesque views.

• To Lake Bunyonyi: Turn off at Kabale town. From there, it’s just 15 minutes before your first glimpse of the lake.
• To Lake Mutanda or Rushaga: Pass through Kabale, where you’ll find a petrol station, ATM, and lunch spots like The Gathering Place or Safari Diners Choma Restaurant.

Important!
Google Maps might suggest turning off at Muko to reach Mutanda or Rushaga – don’t do it. It’s shorter on paper but slower and rougher in reality.

Instead, first plot Kisoro town on Google Maps. Then, from Kisoro, navigate to your final stop: Lake Mutanda or Rushaga.

Final stretch
From Kisoro to Lake Mutanda is an adventurous dirt road through the Kigezi Highlands. The scenery is spectacular, with blue lakes, terraced hills, and the edge of the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Approx. 7 hours | 328 km

Leave early today –  it’s a long drive to Kigali!

Route overview
Follow the main tarmac road through Mbarara and Kabale:

• Both towns have petrol stations and ATMs.
• In Kabale, you can stop for lunch at The Gathering Place or Safari Diners Choma Restaurant.

Border crossing
You’ll enter Rwanda at the Katuna border. After crossing, it’s about 2 more hours to Kigali.

Important to keep in mind:

• In Rwanda, drive on the right side of the road.
• Stick to the 60 km/h speed limit on highways.

Approx. 4 hours | 170 km

Follow a well-paved tarmac road to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This scenic route passes through multiple tea plantations and rolling hills.

Suggested stops along the way

• Kyansama viewpoint
  Plot it in Google Maps for a breathtaking view over the national park.
• Kyambura Gorge
  Take a short detour to admire the gorge. Want to hike through it? You might spot habituated chimpanzees — if you’re lucky! Note: This trek must be booked in advance via Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Only tour operators can make direct bookings with UWA, so make sure to contact Roadtrip Africa for help.

Fuel up
You can refuel at Ishaka or Katunguru before entering the park.

Approx. 3 hours | 140 km

Follow a well-paved tarmac road in the direction to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This scenic route passes through multiple tea plantations and rolling hills.

When arriving at Ntungamo, follow the road to Rukungiri

Fuel & cash: Available in Kabale. There is a fuel station in Rukungiri, but because it is a very small town, don’t rely on it. 

Lunch stop: The Gathering Place or Safari Diners Choma Restaurant.