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Tribes of Bwindi – Discover the Batwa and Bakiga Cultures

How many tribes live in Bwindi? Bwindi is home to the most endangered primates, the mountain gorillas, and it harbors about 459 individuals, half of those remaining in the wild.

Bwindi is located in southwestern Uganda, lying on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, at the edge of the Albertine Rift.

It covers about 331 square kilometers with both montane and lowland forests.

The park is governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which has worked tirelessly with other national and international bodies to protect the endangered mountain gorillas and other wildlife species.

Bwindi is home to about 120 mammal species, 27 frog species, 310 butterfly species, 350 bird species, more than 1,000 flowering plants, and 104 species of ferns.

The park was established in 1991 to protect the mountain gorillas. There are about 20 mountain gorilla groups in the park available for trekking, with the very first group, the Mubare Group, opened for trekking in 1993.

Tribes of Bwindi: Discover the Batwa and Bakiga Cultures

How many tribes live in Bwindi?

There are mainly two tribes residing in Bwindi: the Batwa and the Bakiga. Tourists can visit these tribes and explore more of their cultures after a gorilla trek.

The Batwa

The Batwa are recognized as the original inhabitants of Bwindi Forest and were traditionally hunters and gatherers, relying on the forest for their food. The Batwa are pygmies, known for being the shortest tribe in Uganda. The average height for Batwa men is about 60 inches, and for Batwa women, it is about 57 inches.

Some of the Batwa now work as tour guides for tourists, a role they earned after being employed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority due to their expert knowledge of the park. The Batwa rely heavily on the forest for medicine and various herbs for healing purposes, and they view the forest as their home, treasuring it deeply.

The Batwa are known for their warm hospitality, often welcoming visitors with smiles, folk songs, and dances. Tourists visiting Bwindi have the opportunity to experience Batwa culture and interact with them. Visitors can learn how to make fire using sticks, methods of honey collection, and how the Batwa once hunted and gathered fruits.

Cost of Batwa Tour: The cost for touring this amazing community is USD 30 per person in the different sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.

The Bakiga

The Bakiga are another tribe found in Bwindi, known for growing coffee on the edges of the park. They grow both Robusta and Arabica coffee. Tourists visiting Bwindi can tour the coffee farmlands and learn about the Bakiga culture.

Other activities that tourists can engage in include learning how to prepare local food, which offers a great cultural experience with these wonderful people.

Cost of Bakiga Tour: The Bakiga tour costs about USD 30 per person and can be done in groups or individually, lasting about 2 to 3 hours.

Other Activities Tourists Can Engage In:

  • Bird Watching
  • Guided Nature Walks
  • Butterfly Tours
  • Hiking
  • Gorilla Habituation in the Rushaga Sector

There are only two tribes, the Batwa and the Bakiga, that live in Bwindi, and both have contributed significantly to the tourism sector.

Tourists visiting Bwindi can enjoy cultural tours and experience the unique lifestyles of these communities.



Go Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is renowned for housing half the population of the endangered mountain gorillas. The name “Bwindi” is derived from the local Runyakitara word “Mubwindi,” meaning “place full of darkness.” Bwindi Forest is one of the most biologically diverse forests on Earth. Discover Bwindi National Park below.

Explore mountain gorillas in the most incredible way!

Whether you choose Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, each moment promises unforgettable encounters with the mountain gorillas of Africa.

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