The Batwa lived in the forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga for generations before the parks were created. A Batwa cultural visit is a chance to hear their history and see traditional forest skills, led by the community itself.
In short: the Batwa are the original forest people of southwest Uganda. When Bwindi and Mgahinga became national parks in 1991, they were moved out of the forest. Cultural visits, led by Batwa guides, share their history and traditions and provide income to the community.
For generations the Batwa lived as hunter-gatherers in the forests of the Albertine Rift, gathering honey, wild fruit and medicinal plants and hunting small animals. When the forests were protected as national parks to save the mountain gorillas, the Batwa lost access to the land they depended on.
Today many Batwa families live on the edges of the parks. Community-led cultural experiences let visitors learn about forest life from Batwa guides, and the fees support families who have had to build new livelihoods.
Batwa guides introduce themselves and the history of their community.
Demonstrations of traditional skills such as making fire, gathering honey, building shelters and using medicinal plants.
Songs, dances and stories about life in the forest before the parks.
An optional chance to buy crafts directly from the community.
Our Habituation & Community Trail includes a Batwa visit, and we can add one to any itinerary.
Gorilla conservation in Bwindi and Mgahinga has been a success: mountain gorilla numbers have grown over recent decades. That success came at a cost to the Batwa, who lost their forest home when the parks were created. Visiting a Batwa-led experience is one direct way to make sure tourism benefits them too.
Fees from community-led visits go towards school costs, health care and land for Batwa families. Buying crafts directly from the makers helps in the same way. We only use experiences where the Batwa themselves lead and benefit.
Choose community-led experiences where Batwa guides tell their own story and receive the fees. These are the visits we use.
Usually a half day, which fits a rest day after your trek.
Yes. It is a good activity for family members under 15 who cannot trek to the gorillas.
We will fit a community-led Batwa experience around your gorilla days.
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