2-Day Lake Mburo Safari from Kampala: Game Drives & Boat Ride

Uganda's smallest national park game drives and boat ride among hippos and crocodiles

A 2-day Lake Mburo National Park safari from Kampala combines two game drives with a boat ride on the lake, overnight lodge stay, and meals — the park holds over 68 mammal species including large zebra herds, plus hippos, buffaloes, leopards and topis across savannah, woodland and seasonal swamps. Your driver-guide picks you up from your hotel in Kampala, and the route includes a stop at the Equator in Kayabwe on the way out and back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Drive, Equator stop, Boat ride, Game drive

• Pick up from hotel or home
• Drive to Equator in Kayabwe
• Water experience and photos at Equator
• Continue drive to Lake Mburo National Park
• Lunch by the lake
• Boat ride on the lake
• Game drive along park trails
• Check in and dinner at lodge

Day 2 — Morning game drive, Return to Kampala

• Early breakfast
• Morning game drive in the park
• Drive out of park towards Kampala
• Stop for lunch enroute
• Arrive and drop off in Kampala

The Experience

The drive from Kampala takes about four hours west along the Kampala-Masaka route. On the way, you stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe for photos and a water experience — a moment most travelers use to stretch and buy souvenirs before continuing. Once you reach the park, lunch waits by the lake before you board for a boat ride where hippos, crocodiles, topis and fish eagles are the regular sightings. The afternoon game drive follows the park trails on foot or by vehicle, where you'll move through areas where elands, warthogs, buffaloes, zebras and waterbucks graze. Dinner and an overnight stay at Hyena Hill Lodge end the first day.

Day two starts early with breakfast, then a morning game drive through the savannah, woodland and around the five lakes — the light and the animals' movement make this the strongest viewing window. You'll see the same species again, often in different spots, plus various bird species in the acacia trees and along the shoreline. After the drive, you head back toward Kampala with a lunch stop on the way, arriving in the afternoon for drop-off at your original pickup location.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Kampala hotel.
• lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast on day two, and lunch on the return drive.
• overnight accommodation at Hyena Hill Lodge.
• the boat ride on Lake Mburo.
• both the evening and morning game drives through the park.
• and an English-speaking driver-guide for the full two days.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by NSHEKA AFRICAN ADVENTURES

Is this one for you?Choose this two-day tour if you have time for overnight stays and want game drives timed to wildlife activity rather than a fixed schedule—the boat ride and drives follow the park's natural rhythms instead of rushing between stops.

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Top questions

How far is Lake Mburo National Park from Kampala?

Lake Mburo National Park sits approximately 240 kilometers west of Kampala by road, which takes about four hours to drive. The route follows the Kampala-Masaka road and includes a stop at the Equator in Kayabwe on both the outbound and return journey.

What animals will I see on the game drives?

The park is home to over 68 mammal species. You'll commonly spot zebras (the park is famous for large herds), hippos, buffaloes, leopards, topis, elands, warthogs, waterbucks and bush pigs. Bird species including fish eagles occupy the acacia trees and lakeside, and crocodiles inhabit the five lakes.

What happens on the boat ride?

The boat ride on the lake gives you a chance to see hippos, crocodiles, topis and fish eagles from the water. It's included on the first afternoon after lunch, before the evening game drive.

What meals and accommodation are included?

Lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast on day two, and an overnight stay at Hyena Hill Lodge are all included. Lunch is also provided on the return drive to Kampala on day two.

Will the driver speak English?

Yes, your driver-guide conducts the tour in English and provides briefings about the park and wildlife throughout both days.

Does the price include the stop at the Equator?

The Equator stop in Kayabwe is part of the route on both the outbound and return journey. While the water experience and photo moments are included, any souvenirs you choose to buy are at your own cost.