The park is only 260 sq. km and the smallest of Uganda's savannah National Parks. Its mosaic habitat of dry hillside, rocky outcrops, bushes thickets, open and wooded savanna forests, lakes and swamps are home to a surprising diversity of plants and animals. Lake Mburo is the best place in the country to see the gigantic Eland antelope, as well as Zebra, Topi, Impala, and several acacia-associated birds. The annual rain fall is relatively low, but nevertheless the park contains wetland habitats, the most important of these is Lake Mburo itself; the largest of the five lakes that lie within the park boundaries.

Lake Mburo harbours several mammal species not easily observed in any other of Uganda's National Parks. It is the only reserve in the country to support a population of Impala, and one of only three protected areas where Burchell's Zebra occur. Leopard, Hyena, side-striped Jackal and Otter are some of the predators that can be observed; with the calling hyena particularly evocative when staying overnight inside the park. During the 60's the park was famous for its Lions, but they have long since been hunted to extinction, although it remains a possibility that the park could be re-colonised from Tanzania.

The lake is rich with a diversity of animal and plant species which can only be viewed clearly if you take a boat trip. The crocodiles, Hippopotamuses and birds like Pelicans, Black Crake, Heron, Cormorant and Fish Eagle. The duration of each boat cruise is negotiable with the park management. Please note that in August 2005 the boat owned by the park authorities was not in use due to essential repairs being carried out.

Many tourists only visit Lake Mburo in the afternoon as they travel from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth or Bwindi. This means that for visitors staying overnight in the park (highly recommended) you will find that the morning and early evening safaris are very quiet in terms of other vehicles being present. It is always enjoyable to drive slowly through a park and savour the wildlife without running into traffic jams.

There is an excellent tented camp within the park that provides a high standard of service and comfort to visitors. In addition, it is one of the few tented camps in Uganda where you can experience genuine immersion in a Savannah park, with the wildlife literally on your doorstep.