Lake Mburo National Park, located in the western region of Uganda, offers visitors a chance to enjoy community tours and village walks around the park. This experience allows you to learn about the culture of the Ankole people, mainly the Banyankole and Bahima communities.
These community tours and village walks not only benefit tourists but also support the local communities living around Lake Mburo National Park.
Visitors can explore the homesteads of the Ankole people and learn about their traditional way of life through stories shared by elders, women, and children. Elders talk about their cattle, values, beliefs, and how these are passed down through generations.
One of the most interesting parts is learning about the Ankole long-horned cattle. You can see how they practice zero grazing and how cows are milked by hand. You will also learn how milk is processed into ghee using calabashes and how traditional dishes are prepared. Visitors can take part in these activities, which makes the experience more memorable.
Some lodges like Kigarama Wilderness Lodge, Mburo Safari Lodge, and Kigambira Safari Lodge offer community visit experiences to their guests. The best time to go for these visits is in the morning or afternoon during the dry season from June to August and December to February when walking is easier.
For those who want a deeper cultural experience, the Igongo Cultural Centre and Museum is located about one hour’s drive from the park in Mbarara. The museum shows the history, traditions, and artifacts of the Ankole people. There is also a restaurant that serves local dishes such as millet bread, matooke, eshabwe (ghee sauce), and local drinks made from sorghum or millet. You will find a traditional homestead set up with items like milk pots, grinding stones, calabashes, brewing troughs, cattle tools, and a fireplace. A craft shop is available for visitors who want to buy souvenirs.
The traditional dance of the Ankole people, called “Ekitaguriro,” is very interesting to watch. The dance mimics the movement of cows, with dancers raising their arms in the air. Both men and women perform this dance at celebrations such as harvests, births, marriages, and cattle ceremonies.
Lake Mburo National Park offers visitors rich cultural experiences in addition to wildlife encounters.
