The Batwa Cultural Experience allows you to meet some of the indigenous Batwa people (sometimes referred to as pygmies) that have lived in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for around 60,000 years. This changed in 1991 when it became a designated national park in order to protect endangered species such as the mountain gorilla. The Batwa people were moved from their forest dwellings to permanent residence outside the park boundaries, and although this was done in order to conserve the forest it marked an end to the traditional Batwa way of life.
Having been hunter gatherers that relied on the forest for generations this move proved challenging for many. Although they have learned to adapt to their new circumstances, many of the older Batwa keep their customs and traditions alive to this day.
You will get to enter the national park with members of the Batwa community along with park rangers and an interpreter, all who will help to give you an in depth understanding of why the Batwa were referred to as “The Keepers of the Forest.” The experience includes a traditional welcome dance and blessing, as well as a trail walk through the forest in which you will learn the different plants that were used as medicine. You will learn about how food was gathered and animals were hunted, see Batwa homesteads and most importantly get to hear the oral history of the culture directly from the older generations.
What to bring:
Hiking shoes, long sleeved shirt & trousers, rain jacket, packed lunch, sun cream and plenty of drinking water.
The Batwa Forest Cultural Experience is a full day experience. It costs $20 per participant with a maximum group size of 6 per trek. Park entry fee can be waived if you have booked a gorilla trek and wish to go either the day before or the day after your trek. Those without a gorilla permit will pay an additional $40 for park entry fees per person. The minimum cost for a trek is $40 i.e. Minimum of 2 people per trek or 1 participant paying $40.
