Lake Mburo National Park Entrance Fee & Activity Costs
Lake Mburo National Park Entrance Fee: The Lake Mburo National Park entrance fee is US$40 per adult per day for foreign non-residents, US$30 for foreign residents and UGX 20,000 for East African citizens, under the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) tariff. The fee covers 24 hours in the park. Activities such as game drives, boat cruises, nature walks, cycling and horseback safaris are paid separately.
Lake Mburo is Uganda’s smallest savannah national park, covering about 370 square kilometres. It lies about 240 km (roughly 4 hours’ drive) west of Kampala on the road to Mbarara.
It is the only park in Uganda with impalas, and one of only two with zebras, which makes it a favourite stop at the start or end of a Uganda safari. This guide sets out the current park fees, activity costs and what else to budget for. Learn more about the park in our Lake Mburo National Park guide.
Fees are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and can change. Always confirm current rates with UWA or your Uganda safari operator before you travel.
Lake Mburo National Park Entrance Fees
| Visitor category | Adult entrance fee (per day) |
| Foreign non-residents | US$40 |
| Foreign residents (living in Uganda/East Africa with a valid permit) | US$30 |
| East African citizens | UGX 20,000 |
Children: UWA charges reduced rates for children aged 5 to 15, and children under 5 enter free. Confirm the current children’s rate when you book.
Validity: Entrance fees are valid for 24 hours from the time of entry. If you stay overnight inside the park, you pay for each 24-hour period.
Lake Mburo Activity Fees
Activity fees are charged on top of the park entrance fee.
| Activity | Foreign non-residents | Foreign residents | East African citizens |
| Game drive (day) | US$20 | US$15 | UGX 20,000 |
| Night game drive | US$30 | US$15 | UGX 50,000 |
| Guided nature walk | US$15 | US$10 | UGX 10,000 |
| Boat cruise on Lake Mburo | US$30 | US$25 | UGX 30,000 |
| Cycling safari | US$30 | US$25 | UGX 30,000 |
| Horseback safari | Charged by the operator, depending on duration |
UWA game drive fees now apply to both self-drive and guided game drives. Horseback safaris are run by a private operator near the park, so prices depend on the length of the ride.
Game Drives
Day game drives explore the park’s tracks, such as the Zebra Track, Impala Track and Kazuma Track, where you find zebras, impalas, elands, topis, buffaloes, giraffes and warthogs. Night game drives offer a chance to see leopards, hyenas, bush babies and other nocturnal animals. See what to expect from a safari in Uganda.
Boat Cruise on Lake Mburo
The two-hour boat cruise on Lake Mburo brings you close to hippos, Nile crocodiles and waterbirds such as the African fish eagle, pied kingfisher and, if you are lucky, the rare African finfoot. Learn more about the Nile crocodile.
Guided Nature Walks
Because there are no resident lions, Lake Mburo is one of the few Uganda parks where you can safely walk among zebras, impalas and other animals with an armed ranger. Read our guide to nature walks in Lake Mburo National Park.
Cycling and Horseback Safaris
Lake Mburo is Uganda’s best park for active safaris. You can cycle past grazing zebras or ride on horseback among the park’s antelopes. See cycling safaris in Lake Mburo.
Annual Park Passes
UWA offers annual passes for frequent visitors who live in Uganda or East Africa:
| Pass | Foreign residents | East African citizens |
| Individual | US$350 | Confirm with UWA |
| Couple | US$500 | UGX 200,000 |
| Family | Confirm with UWA | UGX 300,000 |
| Corporate | US$1,500 | UGX 2,500,000 |
Other Costs to Budget For
Besides park and activity fees, a Lake Mburo safari usually includes:
- Vehicle entry fees:charged per vehicle, with rates depending on vehicle type and where it is registered
- Accommodation:lodges, tented camps and UWA campsites both inside and around the park
- Transport:a safari vehicle and driver-guide from Kampala or Entebbe
- Meals, drinks and tips
- Camping feesif you camp at UWA campsites
- Filming or commercial photography permits, for professional filming only
The simplest way to manage these costs is to book a package Uganda safari that includes park fees, transport and lodging. See our Uganda safari deals and short Uganda safaris.
How to Pay Lake Mburo National Park Fees
- At the gate:UWA has moved towards cashless payments, so carry a Visa or Mastercard, or use mobile money where accepted.
- Through your tour operator:Most Uganda safari packages include park entrance and activity fees, paid in advance.
- Through UWA:Fees can be paid directly to the Uganda Wildlife Authority before your visit.
Entrance and activity fees are generally non-refundable, so plan your dates carefully.
Interesting Facts About Lake Mburo National Park
- Smallest savannah park:At about 370 km², it is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks.
- Impalas:It is the only national park in Uganda where you can see impalas.
- Zebras:It has a large population of plains zebras, which live in only one other Ugandan park, Kidepo Valley.
- Giraffes:Rothschild’s giraffes were moved here in 2015 and are now part of the park’s wildlife. Read about giraffes in Uganda.
- Lakes:Lake Mburo is the largest of the 13 or so lakes in the area, five of which lie inside the park.
- Birdlife:More than 300 bird species, including the African finfoot, papyrus gonolek, red-faced barbet and, occasionally, the shoebill. See birdwatching hotspots in Uganda.
- Culture:The park lies in Ankole country, home of the Banyankole people and their famous long-horned Ankole cattle.
- Easy access:Just 240 km from Kampala, it is the closest savannah park to the capital and a perfect stopover on the way to Bwindi or Queen Elizabeth National Park.
How to Include Lake Mburo in Your Uganda Safari
Lake Mburo is ideal as:
- A weekend safari from Kampala, with a game drive, boat cruise and walking safari in two days
- The first or last night of a gorilla safari, breaking up the long drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Part of a longer Uganda wildlife safariwith Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park
Browse our gorilla safaris, long Uganda safaris and popular tours such as the 9 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari, 10 Days Uganda Safari and 12 Days Uganda Budget Safari.
FAQs: Lake Mburo National Park Entrance Fee
How much is the entrance fee to Lake Mburo National Park? US$40 per adult per day for foreign non-residents, US$30 for foreign residents and UGX 20,000 for East African citizens.
Is the Lake Mburo entrance fee charged per day? Yes. Each payment covers 24 hours in the park, so overnight visitors pay for each 24-hour period.
Do children pay park entrance fees? Children under 5 enter free, and children aged 5 to 15 pay reduced rates. Confirm current children’s rates with UWA.
Are activity fees included in the park entrance fee? No. Game drives, boat cruises, nature walks, cycling and horseback safaris are charged separately.
How much is the boat cruise on Lake Mburo? US$30 for foreign non-residents, US$25 for foreign residents and UGX 30,000 for East African citizens.
Can I pay park fees in cash? UWA is moving to cashless payments, so bring a card or use mobile money, or pay through your tour operator.
Are there lions in Lake Mburo National Park? There are no resident lions, which is why walking and cycling safaris are possible. Leopards, hyenas and buffaloes do live in the park, so always follow your ranger.
How far is Lake Mburo from Kampala? About 240 km, or roughly 4 hours by road.
Plan Your Lake Mburo Uganda Safari
At US$40 per day for foreign visitors, Lake Mburo National Park offers excellent value. It also offers zebras, impalas, giraffes, hippos, walking and cycling safaris, and a peaceful boat cruise, all within four hours of Kampala. It is a perfect short Uganda safari on its own, or a relaxing stop on the way to the gorillas.
Ready to visit? Contact Uganda Wildlife Tours to book a Lake Mburo safari that includes park fees, transport, activities and lodging. Or browse more Uganda safaris and our best Uganda safari tours.