BWINDI BATWA FOREST EXPERIENCE

The Bwindi Batwa forest experience is a newly unveiled cultural experience offered to tourists on Uganda safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This unique tourism product was unveiled by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities with the aim of appreciating the culture of the Batwa pygmies in southwestern Uganda.

The Batwa lived in the forest for over 500000 years as hunters and gatherers, a good reason why they are popularly called the forest dwellers. They stayed in the jungles hunting and gathering till the early 1990’s when they were displaced from their lovely home and now, they are the marginalized group at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

For long, the Batwa life has featured as a tourist attraction with several tourists flocking to explore more about the unique lifestyles of Batwa pygmies. In Mgahinga National Park, the Batwa village walk is by far an incredible complementary safari experience after gorilla trekking. Tourists on Uganda gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on the other hand can now take part in the Batwa forest experience. This experience was jointly developed in 2013 by Uganda Wildlife Authority together with Nkuringo Cultural Center as well as the Batwa community in the southern side of Bwindi National Park.

The Batwa forest experience allows visitors to explore and experience the Batwa’s unique traditions-especially the ancient hunting and gathering techniques, cultures, dances, music performances and lifestyles. Currently, about 66 Batwa individuals have under gone training in adult literacy, guiding as well as social cultural values, music dance, drama and enterprise development among others. The proceeds from this cultural experience goes back to the Batwa community so as to help enhance the well-being of the Batwa and also for purposes of poverty alleviation

Visitors on Uganda gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can embark on the Bwindi Batwa Forest Experience before or after fun-filled gorilla trekking experience. The Batwa forest experience trails also take you through different aspects that will demonstrated to you and all depicting the unique Batwa culture. Visitors interested in this thrilling cultural experience can benefit from waive of park entry fees especially if you are booking gorilla trekking permit and also wish to add on this experience.