Batwa trail /experience
The Batwa were the original inhabitants of Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest and were first evicted in 1930’s by the British colonial government and later reinforced in the 90’s by the government of Uganda in a bid to conserve the forest and the endangered mountain Gorilla species from extinction after thousands of years of their stay there .
The Batwa were generally pygmies who also occupied part of Mgahinga just as much as Bwindi and carried out hunting and fruit gathering for food alongside root collection .
Today, the batwa trail is a 5 hour experience led by the Batwa guides that is associated with ancient practice from which the Batwa guides kneel down to seek protection and guidance from their ancestors before the journey begins. This was adapted from the former Batwa hunters who prayed before hunting and were generously rewarded
The trail journey then commences after the prayer through the dense forests and mountain slopes such as Gahinga and Muhavura
It is featured with great learning as a dive into the Batwa beliefs from which tourists will understand that each and every plant and weed in the forest has a great significance
Some have medicinal importance while some are used as food.
Tourists also learn the different ways of life of the Batwa such as how to prepare and cook the Batwa traditional food , build huts , harvest honey as well as bark cloth.
The Batwa also teach them their crafts such as weaving baskets and making cups out of bamboos .
The trail is spiced up with Batwa stories highlighting the Batwa history and life in the forest which holds so much weight to them .
The experience is further sweetened by an exploration of the Garamba caves.
The Garamba caves are sacred dark and quiet ancient caves that were used to house the king therefore being a palace and also acted as a food store for the rest of the Batwa .
The caves were also used as hiding and meeting places during wars with the Bantu .
The Batwa experience is then concluded with a cultural dance performed by Batwa men and women.
It is very important to note the Batwa living in Mgahinga still believe that the forest still belong to them and are highly affiliated to it
Cost of the Batwa trail / experience
In Mgahinga , it costs ;
80 USD for a single tourist
70 USD for Groups of 4 tourists
60 USD for more than 4 groups tourists.
In Bwindi , it costs
100 USD and takes place in the buhoma sector.
Those in need of capturing the whole experience or documentary pay an additional charge of 400USD
In a nutshell, the Batwa trail experience is one mind-blowing dive into the life and history of the Batwa from thousands of generations to date
