BATWA COMMUNITY WALK IN BWINDI.
Besides gorilla trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable national park also offers cultural encounters with the Batwa people giving you an up-close to their ancient lifestyles and cultures. The Batwa were the early inhabitants of the forest before gazetting the park in 1993 and are believed to have migrated from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Batwa pygmies lived peacefully in the forest with the animals and survived through hunting animal meat and gathering food like fruits, honey and leaves. The walk commences with a nature walk and later hiking into the forest
Batwa community trail costs each person 80 USD per day, 70 USD for 2-3 individuals and 60 USD for 4 individuals and more. A filming ticket costs 400 USD for a group of people and it takes 2 hours to organize a short Batwa community walk and 4 hours for a long walk.
NOTE: Only 24 tourists are allowed per day that is, 12 in the morning and 12 in the evening. So in order to have a blast out of your community walk, get yourself a permit by booking through your tour operator earlier enough.
What to expect during the Batwa community trail.
Embarking on a community walk to the Batwa gives you a chance to mimic the ancient life styles of the Batwa in the forest before eviction. With the guidance of an experienced leader, you will associate with the short Batwa to prove their love for the forest. Besides, you will visit their grass thatched homesteads and be entertained by traditional dances, songs and also participate in their activities like:
- Hunting in the traditional manner using bows and arrows.
- Weaving of items like mats, baskets.
- Harvesting of honey from the beehives.
- Picking herbs from the forests and their uses as regards medication.
- Preparation and serving of food by women like peeling with high chances of testing it.
- Making of bush fire to mention but a few.
Conclusively, take part in the Batwa community walk in Bwindi and encounter the short indigenous people in the forest for a remarkable life-time experience as you book through the one and only Chosen Expeditions and Tours.