Mbarara travel guide

Mbarara, Uganda

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Mbarara

Introduction

Mbarara is the main commercial centre for much of south-western Uganda and the site of the district headquarters, making it a natural base for exploring the region. The city is divided into six boroughs: Kakoba, Kamukuzi, Nyamitanga, Biharwe, Kakiika and Nyakayojo. Its name comes from a colonial mispronunciation of Emburara, the tall grass that once covered the whole area.

Mbarara was granted city status in 2019, with the change taking effect in 2020, and it is now among Uganda's largest cities. For travellers, it serves as a busy urban stop in the Western Region, with each of its boroughs contributing to the life of a city that has grown well beyond its grassy origins.

Getting there

Mbarara is reached by road, with the bus park serving as the main hub for arrivals and departures. From there, Global Coaches, Gateway, Abapakaasi, Perfect and Tausi run buses to Kampala, while Bismarkan coaches head to Kabale and 14-seat vans connect the city with Kasese.

Minibuses, commonly known as taxis, carry 14 passengers and link Mbarara with Kasese, Kabale, Ntungamo, Masaka and Kampala, picking up and dropping off at various locations around the city.

Getting around

Mbarara has no rail, metro or tram network, so every trip is by road. For short hops within the city, boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis) are the most common way to get around and can take you to different parts of Mbarara; agree the fare with the rider before you set off. Small cars, known locally as special cars, can be hired by an individual or a group and driven to almost any part of the country on terms agreed with the driver — a practical choice for door-to-door service, travelling with luggage, or heading outside the city. Walking works well for short distances in the central commercial area, where shops, arcades and services are clustered, but beyond the centre the city spreads across its divisions, so most visitors rely on boda-bodas or hired cars for anything longer. As in any city, keep to busy, well-lit streets and take normal precautions with your belongings.

Minibuses, locally called taxis, carry around fourteen passengers and connect Mbarara with towns such as Kasese, Kabale, Ntungamo, Masaka and Kampala; they leave when full rather than on a fixed timetable, so build in flexibility if you are connecting to a longer journey. Buses and coaches operate from the bus park, with several operators running services to Kampala and coaches heading south toward Kabale, and fourteen-seat vans departing for Kasese. Buy your ticket from the operator at the bus park rather than through an online booking system, and confirm departures and fares directly with the operator on the day, as schedules and operators change. Carry cash in Ugandan shillings, since buses, minibuses and boda-bodas are paid directly and fares are often negotiated. Mbarara Airport lies northwest of town along the Mbarara–Ibanda highway with no rail or metro link to the city, so arrange a boda-boda or hired car or taxi in advance where possible, or agree the fare clearly before departing the terminal.

Where to stay

Mbarara's accommodation splits between a cluster of budget guesthouses and a couple of larger hotels. On the cheaper end, Jombe Accommodation on Bishop Wills Road offers single, double and twin-bed rooms, each with its own bathroom and mosquito nets. Several guesthouses along the town's roads follow a similar pattern of simple double rooms with private bathroom and TV — Oasis Inn on Victor Bwana Road, Scenery Guesthouse on Ntale Road and Tobiz Guesthouse on Mapata Road near St Johns Church. Millennium Hotel on Fort Portal Road is another option for single or double rooms.

For something more comfortable, Acacia Hotel sits on Kabale Road, and Las Vegas Garden Hotel is in Ishanyu Ward in the northern part of the city, along the Mbarara Northern Bypass off Ishaka Road, with twin and standard rooms available.

Food & drink

For a sit-down meal, Agip Motel serves what is likely the best inter-continental food in the city, with a pleasant patio and a popular African lunch buffet. You can also head to Mbuzi Choma Restaurant on High Street for grilled meat, or to Ishanyu Food Centre out along the Mbarara-Bushenyi road past the northern bypass roundabout.

Mbarara's nightlife is spread across a handful of distinct spots. SoHo Terrace on Kabale Road is open daily but busiest on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and pours local beers. Club Vision Empire Majestic sits on Bananuka Road. For something different, Heat Events on Buremba Road runs as a car wash by day and transforms into an open-air nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights, with decent plates of BBQ pork and a DJ mixing 1990s hits with contemporary indigenous music. Shooters Bar and Grill on Kakoba Buremba Road stays open around the clock.

What to see and do

Mbarara gives you a mix of cultural sights and easygoing leisure. Start with the Igongo Cultural Centre on Masaka Road, where you can learn about the region's heritage, then seek out the Nkokonjeru Tombs and the River Rwizi Falls, both among the area's notable attractions. For relaxation, you can swim at pools around the Mbarara area, including at Lakeview Resort Hotels about 3 km outside town off the Mbarara-Bushenyi Road, as well as at Hotel Triangle, Big Fun Entertainment and Riviera resort. In the evening, the town's clubs and bars—such as Signature Premium, Ice Lounge, Soho Terrace, Shooters bar and grill, and Life lounge—offer places to unwind. For shopping, you'll find supermarkets, a Bata shop and boutiques in the shopping centres around Mbarara Town.

When to go

Mbarara has a tropical savanna climate with modest temperature swings, but the contrast between wet and dry periods is strong. October is the wettest month, bringing the most rainy days of the year, so expect frequent downpours and muddy roads; it is the peak of the wet season and the least comfortable time for outdoor plans. November follows as the most humid month, keeping the air muggy and the ground damp after October's rains, and rain is still common, so pack accordingly.

July is the driest month, with the fewest rainy days and the lowest humidity, making it the easiest time for travel and outdoor activity. Expect clearer, drier conditions around this period.

Three days in Mbarara

Day one: Start in central Mbarara and get your bearings on foot, wandering through Kakoba and Kamukuzi to see how the city moves between its commercial streets and quieter residential quarters. Stop for a Ugandan meal at Tausi or Bismarkan, then take a walk to Nyamitanga for a sense of local architecture and daily life. In the evening, settle into your accommodation around Bishop Wills Road, where several guesthouses and Jombe Accommodation give you a comfortable base for the days ahead.

Day two: Head out of the city toward Biharwe and Kakiika, where the pace slows and you can see the countryside that surrounds Mbarara. Continue to Nyakayojo for a quieter look at rural life in the Western Region. If you prefer to stay closer to town, spend the afternoon around the markets and small shops, buying Ugandan crafts and produce. Minibuses and small buses connect these areas, so you can move between them without much trouble.

Day three: Take a day trip toward Ibanda or Kabale, both reachable from Mbarara by road, or head to Kasese if you want a longer excursion. Buses from Global Coaches and Gateway serve routes toward Kampala, Masaka, Ntungamo and Kabale, so you can plan onward travel or a return leg. If you are flying out, Mbarara Airport is the local departure point. End your trip with a final meal at Emburara or Abapakaasi before you leave.

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