There are enough things to do in Mbarara to keep you busy for a few days and most find out about the history of Mbarara, the chief town of the old Nkore Kingdom that was later subsumed into an independent Uganda in 1962.
You can find out more about Mbarara’s history at the Igongo Cultural Centre north of the town. Also enjoy a nature walk along the Rwizi River that flows through the south of the town and maybe spend time relaxing either horse riding, swimming or playing golf. There are also some nice African craft shops where you can get your souvenirs!
Igongo cultural center is the dominant regional museum where the past meet the future. It is a museum that show cases the culture of people of southwestern Uganda.
If you want to know more about the people of southwestern Uganda, then Igongo is the best place to go to. They have also constructed accommodation so one can spend a night at Igongo to fully explore this cultural center.
The Ankole long horned cattle remains the symbol of this milk and honey district. There so many farms along Kampala mbarara road where one can spot the long horned cattle.
Although these cows are now threatened due to cross bleeding, one can spot herds grazed by the hima pastoral groups. There is no doubt that Mbarara district is the leading milk producer in Uganda
Ankole just like other kingdoms was under the omugabe but during the restoration of kingdoms, Mbarara was unfortunate that this was not installed.
However, there some cultural sites which include the burial place of the abagabe at Nkokonjeru, the administrative block at Kamukuzi among others.
The people of Mbarara are well known for their culture. The bahima are predominantly cattle keepers while the Bairu are cultivators.
The most popular cultural activity lies in their lifestyle including marriage, dress code among others. If one wants to experience such, he/she needs to attend okuhingira. All these can keep you busy in mbarara city.
Lake Mburo National Park
It’s situated between the towns of Masaka and Mbarara taking you about 4 hours to get there. Lake Mburo National Park is the only place where you can spot the impalas in Uganda, antelopes as well as the Elands. There are also many herds of buffalos and Zebras with in this national park.
The national park has got over 313 bird species that include; the rare white winged warbler, emerald spotted wood Dove, the crested francolin, the brown parrot, barefaced go way bird, the common Francolin, the green wood hoopoe, the blue napped mouse bird, the black billed barbet, the trilling cisticola, Nubian woodpecker as well as the African grey hornbill.
The lake has also got 6 fish species that include; Tilapia, lung fish, mud fish as well as the Haplochromes. By using the hooks, the visitors can also spend some of their time as they catch this fish, a shade is also provided at the campsite in order to ensure the maximum relaxation for the visitors as they are at the lake.
You might walk to the salt nearby as a summary of it all. There is also an observation point which is located in a wooden hide out that offers a good chance to view the 4 different species of animals at any time as they lick the salty soil. This is also done without animal conscience. The tourists might also walk to any area of your interest.
