For as long as we can both remember my husband and I have always loved being in the wilderness, so when an opportunity presented itself we hopped in our car and headed for Lake Mburo National Park to spend two days at the Exclusive Lake Mburo Camp which is run by Kimbla-Mantana African Safaris.

The drive there was pleasant and oddly enough so were the roads. The turn-off from the main road to the camp and park is about 60 kms km from Mbarara. After having paid our park fees at the park gate we travelled another 24 km’s we arrived at Lake Mburo Camp quite relaxed. Upon arrival we were welcomed by the manager of the camp and two staff members. They handed us ice cold drinks (juice) and even colder face towels – a welcome surprise and a really nice touch. We were shown to our accommodation for the next two days which was a luxury tent equipped with a toilet, shower, two single comfortable beds, a dressing table and a wash basin. Each tent is provided with hand and bathing towels and two bottles of drinking water. If you have never stayed in Tented accommodation before (as we had not), it really is quite different. There

are no septic tanks so the toilets are a kind of sand combination, and work surprisingly well. When you are ready to shower, inform the guide and he will fill up the outside tank with hot water for you. We dumped our bags in our tent and headed off to spot the zebras and other game. Before heading out we informed our guide that we would be eating dinner at 19.30 pm.

We returned after the game drive, enjoyed our hot shower, dressed and headed off for dinner. Dinner was superb and we washed it all back with a good bottle of SA red wine (Wines are available at reasonable prices, as are most beers and some spirits). The eating tent is near the accommodation tents and in the evening a big camp fire is lit. It is a time to sit back and enjoy the flames, have a quiet drink and take in the experience – Africa at its best.

After dinner we ordered coffee for the room, then headed off to bed. The next morning at exactly 7.00am our guide arrived with our morning coffee, and asked us what time we would like to shower. I told him that 7.50am would suit us best (testing his punctuality). At precisely 7.50am he called out “showers ready”. We then enjoyed a hearty full English breakfast. Then it was back into the care for our morning game drive – we chose the least used track this time around but we recommend a 4 x 4 to get through some parts. The game and the view on this drive were superb. We saw loads of Zebra, Eland, a lone Buffalo, Crested Eagles, Kob, Impala, some cows (yes cows) and Baboon. The route was fairly long so you will need to take along some drinks and snacks – we were out game viewing for around 4½ hours. Back at the camp we had a late lunch, (always a three course meal – soup, main meal, fruit), then off for a siesta.

The time spent at this camp was tranquil. No mobile phones (no signal either), no TV and no radios. It’s a time to relax, take in the game sounds, enjoy the view, have a chilled beer and enjoy! I read my book in the afternoon, loved the stars at night and even saw a shooting star. Sleeping in such a quiet peaceful environment was just fantastic. As you drift off to sleep you can hear the hyenas howling, the birds and bats making their own odd noises and insects chirping. It really is in the bush. In the morning of our last day at the camp, there was this thick mist covering the entire area, and it created the most stunning view. The accommodation is described as luxury, however we would describe it more as exclusive,convenientand

comfortable. The treatment you receive from the staff is first class, they are friendly, punctual and go out of their way to make you feel special. The tents all face the lake and mountains in the distance and with a decent pair of binoculars, you can see the buffalo feeding in the swamp type area down in the distance. The beds are comfortable (Two singles per tent) and all have mosquito netting around, including on the doors – so there are no buzzing annoyances at night.

We really enjoyed this trip, as it reminded us the most of home (SA). The tents are remote from each other, you have privacy to enjoy the company, the game, the sounds and view from the bush and you are free to travel around the park as you wish. Maps are available and routes are well marked. I would recommend Lake Mburo
Camp to any person looking to just getting away from it all – this is the ultimate destination, plus the camp is only 3½ hours drive from Kampala.

FACT FILE:
The Park fees per Adult are 20 US$ for EA Residents while our Vehicle cost us 30,000/=

For more info contact: Kimbla-Mantana African Safaris
Tel: +256 (0) 414 321552, Fax: +256 (0) 414 320152
Email: mantana@africaonline.co.ug Web: www.kimbla-mantana.co.ug