Lake Mburo, Uganda· Western Uganda
Nearest park
Lake Mburo National Park
Rating
4.6 (312)
From
$250/ night
Mihingo Lodge is a gem of Ugandan eco-tourism, perched on a rocky hillside above Lake Mburo National Park with sweeping views across a landscape of acacia-dotted savannah, wetlands, and papyrus-fringed lakes. The lodge has earned a devoted following among discerning travelers for its unique horseback safari experience — one of very few places in East Africa where you can explore Big Game country on horseback. The ten bandas (individual cottages) are constructed from natural stone and thatch, each designed to harmonize with the rocky hillside on which they are built. Interiors are simple but elegant, with handcrafted wooden furniture, mosquito-net-draped beds, and en-suite bathrooms with views through the bush. Several bandas have private verandas and outdoor bathtubs where guests can soak beneath the stars. The Honeymoon Banda, perched at the highest point, offers a private plunge pool and 360-degree views. The heart of the lodge is its stunning infinity pool, carved into the hillside with views stretching across the park to the distant hills of western Uganda. The open-air restaurant serves farm-fresh cuisine featuring produce from the lodge's own gardens, supplemented by local dairy products and freshly caught tilapia from the lake. Candlelit dinners on the rock deck, accompanied by the sounds of hippos calling from the lake below, are a nightly highlight. Horseback safaris are Mihingo's signature experience, led by expert guides through the park's open savannah where zebra, eland, impala, topi, and warthog graze undisturbed by the silent approach of mounted riders. The experience of galloping alongside a herd of zebra is electrifying and utterly unique. The lodge also offers traditional game drives, night drives, boat cruises on the lake, guided nature walks, and mountain biking across the park's scenic landscape.
Horseback safaris through savannah
Hillside infinity pool
Only zebra habitat in Uganda
Outdoor bathtubs under the stars
Mountain biking in the park
Night game drives
Boat cruises on Lake Mburo
Farm-fresh organic dining
WiFi in main area
Infinity pool
Restaurant
Bar
Laundry service
Airport transfers
Parking
Outdoor bathtubs
Horse stables
Charging stations
The open-air restaurant serves farm-fresh cuisine sourced from the lodge's organic gardens. Breakfast is a hearty affair before morning activities, lunch features fresh salads and grilled meats, and dinner is a candlelit three-course meal on the rock deck overlooking the park. The bar serves local and imported drinks.
Activities include horseback safaris led by expert guides, traditional game drives, night drives with spotlight, boat cruises on Lake Mburo, guided nature walks, mountain biking through the park, birding excursions, salt lick viewing, and visits to nearby Ankole cattle farming communities.
Lake Mburo is the only national park in Uganda with zebra, and also hosts elands, impalas, topis, bushbuck, waterbuck, hippos, crocodiles, and leopards. The lake supports African finfoot and shoebill stork in the papyrus swamps. Over 350 bird species make this one of Uganda's premier birding destinations.
Lake Mburo is a year-round destination. The dry seasons of June to August and December to February offer the most comfortable conditions for horseback safaris. The lodge is often used as a stopover between Kampala and Bwindi, making it an integral part of gorilla trekking itineraries.
