The BaTwa cultural trail aims to conect the BaTwa pygmies back to their natural homeland. With support from Uganda Wildlife Authority, the pearls of Africa- NGO, the BaTwa were determined and created the trail as one of the Uganda cultural safari attractions for tourists.
BaTwa are known to have lived for more than 3000 years in Mgahinga- Bwindi rainforest and neighboring areas of Rwanda and DR Congo. As hunter gathers, their lifestyle had less negative effects on wildlife and nature. Sadly, in 1991 BaTwa were evicted from the forests when Mgahinga and Bwindi rainforest were designated as national parks to protect and conserve the critically endagered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. That paved way for Uganda gorilla trekking safaris. BaTwa however, lost their land and faced social discrimination among the Bakiga and bafumbira communities leading to erosion of their ancient cultural values and bush skills.
Tourism helps them to revive their ancient forest hunter gatherer skills and restore their cultural identity. The BaTwa trail project creates opportunities for BaTwa to obtain employment as guides and cultural dancers through which they access their former home- Garama caves the former palace of the BaTwa king. Proudly BaTwa living around southwestern Uganda’s Mgahinga gorilla national park regard themselves as the elder’s of civilization and one of the world’s first people.
The BaTwa trail is 5-6 hour half day activity and starts at 08:00am from Ntebeko the main tourist center in Mgahinga park. The trail runs through the forests on the slopes of mgahinga volcanoes of Mt. Muhabura, Mt. Sabinyo and Gahinga some of the best volcano hiking in East Africa.
visitors need to wear boots, long pants, take packed lunch, and rain jacket. the BaTwa will guider and help you to participate in the cultural experience as you learn various tradtions like making fire without match stics, extract medicinal herbs, food, wild honey, not forgeting birds and monkeys that make the walk amazing. the trail ends at the Garama caves. BaTwa regard as the caves as a spiritual home and will first pray, carryout important rituals before entering. They go on to entertain visitors with their energetic dance perfomances that create lasting memories of Uganda safari.
