If you a cultural enthusiast and you are interested in the most thrilling African cultural experiences then Uganda’s Batwa cultural trail is worth exploring while you are on safari in Africa this coming holiday. In case of any plans to embark on Uganda gorilla safari to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga National Park, it is such incredible and life changing experience that you shouldn’t miss to be part. A Batwa cultural walk means a great opportunity for you to discover the rich history and culture of the Batwa pygmies who lived in the forest for over 500000 years as hunters and fruit gatherers. Ideally, the forest was undoubtedly their treasure but due to need to conserve the area, they were displaced and today they are the marginalized group around Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
A cultural walk to the Batwa community while on Uganda cultural safari means an incredible chance for you to indulge yourself into their thrilling dances, music performances and also learn more about their lifestyles, traditions and most importantly, have amazing time as they demonstrate their hunting and gathering techniques. They depended on the forest for many things including food, medicine and shelter. While here, you will also be led through the sacred Ngarama cave which previously served as refuge to their king and it is here that you will find women singing sorrowfully but at end of it all, get you the best of thrilling experience. Most importantly, there are guides to take you through both long and short trails experience more about the life of these incredible group of people. They will interpret for you different herbs that are of medicinal importance and a number of things that won’t leave you bored.
The Batwa trail was established mainly to help educate their children and also as one way to share their heritage and traditions with the world travelers. They have lived out of their original home the ‘forest’ from 1992 up to date. Despite this, they have never forgotten their ancient ways of doing things. Today, the United Organization for Batwa Development in Uganda (UOBDU) has come up to promote the Batwa rights and also help provide them with land, education and health care.
In summary, for any plans to visit Bwindi or Mgahinga national park to trek mountain gorillas, embarking on a Batwa trail should be a must and you will have the best of unforgettable cultural experiences in Africa.
