Understand the cultures that shaped the nation. The Africa’s Unique Cultural Experiences.”

Nyakisharara Airfield, currently a basic upcountry airstrip near Mbarara City, is slated for a major transformation into a modern airport, a project that is seen by the Ugandan Tourism Industry as a strategic pillar for developing Community-Based Tourism (CBT) in the Ankole sub-region and Western Uganda at large.

The development of the airport could seamlessly connect the globally recognized cultural and natural assets of the Ankole region directly to the international tourism market, fundamentally changing the logistical dynamics of travel in this area.

1. Current Status (The Foundation)

Nyakisharara is currently classified as a civilian airstrip serving general aviation needs, including private and charter flights, managed by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

• Location: Situated approximately 9-11 kilometers northwest of Mbarara City, the commercial and administrative center of Western Uganda.
• Runway: Typically features a single, unpaved (murram) runway of modest length (around 1,500 meters or 5,000 feet), suitable only for small, light aircraft (Code 2B or similar).
• Operations: Primarily handles domestic charter flights that bring high-end tourists and private visitors to the region, mainly linking to destinations like Lake Mburo National Park.

2. The Proposed Development (The Vision)

The government of Uganda, with presidential backing, has endorsed plans to upgrade the facility into an “iconic International Airport” (Mbarara International Airport) under a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model, with a projected completion around 2030.

• Upgrade Scope: The project involves the complete overhaul of the facility, including the tarmacking, extension, and coding of the runway to handle larger regional and potentially international aircraft (Code 4C or higher).
• Infrastructure: Construction will include a modern terminal building, navigational aids, and facilities for immigration, customs, and cargo handling, turning it into a fully functional air hub.
• Strategic Role: The airport is positioned to become a new transit hub, not just for tourism, but also for facilitating agricultural exports (dairy, coffee, beef) from Western Uganda directly to international markets, thereby boosting the entire regional economy.

3. The Pillar for Community Tourism (The Impact)

The most significant aspect of the Nyakisharara upgrade is its potential to be a game-changer for Community Tourism focused on the Ankole heritage:

• Direct Access for Tourists: By eliminating the long, arduous 5-7 hour drive from Entebbe/Kampala, the airport will allow international tourists to fly directly or regionally into the heart of the Ankole Kingdom. This saves time and makes short-stay cultural trips viable.
• Long-Horned Cattle Heritage: The region is the cultural home of the majestic Ankole Long-Horned Cattle, central to the Banyankole people’s identity. The airport provides a direct pipeline for tourists interested in immersive cultural experiences like:
  • Visiting Long-Horned Cattle farms.
  • Participating in traditional milking and ghee-making ceremonies.
  • Engaging with local Bahima/Banyankole pastoralists and their unique lifestyle.
• Lake Mburo National Park Integration: The airfield is strategically located near the park, which is unique in Uganda as it is the only national park where you can find the Ankole cattle grazing alongside wild animals like zebra, eland, and impala. The airport ensures that safari-goers land minutes away from the park gate, bolstering the park’s importance.
• Empowering CBTOs: The reduced barrier to entry for tourists allows Community-Based Tourism Organizations (CBTOs) in Mbarara, Isingiro, Kiruhura, Ibanda and surrounding districts to strategically position their local offerings (homestays, cultural tours, story-telling sessions) directly to a high-value international market, guaranteeing that tourism revenue flows directly to the community level.

In summary, Nyakisharara Airfield is currently a modest local strip, but its proposed transformation into Mbarara International Airport is a national infrastructure priority designed to unlock the Western Region’s potential by turning the Ankole cultural and wildlife assets—especially the Long-Horned Cattle heritage—into a highly accessible and strong Community Tourism hub for Uganda.

The Ankole Heritage Express (1-Day Fly-In Itinerary)

Theme: Horns of the Dawn: A Day with the Royal Herdsmen

This itinerary, the “Ankole Heritage Express,” is designed to maximize the convenience of flying into Nyakisharara, eliminating the over 6-hour road transfer from Entebbe. It is ideal for high-end travelers or those on a multi-country tour needing an authentic, high-impact cultural experience in a single day.

Time	Activity	Focus & CBTO Strategy
07:00	Flight Departure (EBB/KGL/KIS)	Leverage: Utilizes the early morning flight slots (currently available from Entebbe) to ensure arrival before 9:00 AM, allowing a full day of activity.
08:00	Arrival at Mbarara Airport (Nyakisharara)	CBTO Action: Branded, quick transfer waiting on the tarmac (or just outside the small terminal). Welcome with a traditional Ankole greeting and a cooling drink (e.g., milk, fresh juice or local herbal tea).
08:30	Transfer to Cultural Farmstead	Location Strategy: A short, seamless 30-45 minute drive to a partner CBTO farm (e.g., Rwenjeru Campsite or a local cooperative) that specializes in the Ankole Long-Horned Cattle heritage.
09:30	Cultural Arrival & Milk Ritual	The Core Experience: Guests are welcomed into the kraal area. This timing is slightly later than the traditional 6 AM milking, but the CBTO can arrange a staged, dedicated demonstration of the ritual using ornate milk gourds (Ebyanzi), showing the singing (Amahamba), and the specialized hand-milking technique.
11:00	Ghee & Eshabwe Masterclass	Hands-On Learning: Move to the Orugyegye (traditional dairy hut). Guests participate in the highly ritualized process of churning fermented milk to separate butter, which is then clarified into ghee. Learn how to make Eshabwe, the ceremonial ghee-based sauce, and the cultural rules surrounding milk handling.
12:30	Royal Ankole Lunch (The Cuisine)	Gastronomic Immersion: A traditional lunch featuring Ankole staples: Roast Beef (Omukaro), Eshabwe sauce, Kalo (millet bread), and local vegetables. Served in a scenic, open-air setting or a recreated traditional enclosure.
14:00	Herdsmen Stories & Heritage Talk	People-to-People Connection: An elder or lead herdsman conducts a storytelling session focusing on the history of the cattle, their role in marriage (bride wealth), and how they measure wealth and status. Demonstrate the cattle songs and recite Ebyevugo (praise poetry).
15:30	The Sunset Cattle Walk (Photo Opportunity)	The Signature Aesthetic: A guided walk through the pasture as the cattle begin to be guided toward the kraal for the evening. This is the optimal time for photography of the long horns against the rolling Ankole hills. Guests may help with Okuseetura (a short grazing walk).
16:30	Departure for Nyakisharara	Efficiency: Final farewell and quick transfer back to Mbarara Airport. CBTO provides a small takeaway souvenir (e.g., a small gourd or a tin of locally made Ankole ghee).
17:30	Check-in at Mbarara Airport	Seamless Service: Guests are assisted with check-in for their return flight, which often departs in the late afternoon.
18:45	Flight Departure (MBQ to EBB/KGL/Regional)	Convenience: Guests are back at their main destination (e.g., Entebbe, or onward to a safari) in time for dinner, having completed a deep cultural experience in under 12 hours.

This itinerary maximizes the value of the flight by focusing entirely on the Ankole-specific culture, providing deep engagement while minimizing time spent on logistics. The CBTO’s profitability and reputation will be built on the authenticity, reliability, and emotional impact of these five core hours on the farm.