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Batwa cultural experience.

The Batwa cultural experience takes place along the foothills of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Mgahinga National Park, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is known for the mountain gorilla species, the conservation area is said to have survived over time from the ice age era, it is subdivided into four sectors the Nkuringo, Buhoma, Rushaga and Ruhija, each of these has got habituated gorilla families, while the Mgahinga national park is renowned for golden monkeys and one gorilla group the park extends as part of the great Virunga volcanic mountain region. The Batwa are a special group of people also known as keepers of the forest.

They lived in the forest amicably together with other creatures until they were evicted due to conservation purposes, these have continued living in the surrounding communities, they are the last group of remaining short-structured people in Uganda, they hunted and gathered from the forest however of present they practice a bit of subsistence farming, they engage in community programs and joined the quo of civilization. These have however done a good job of passing their cultures onto the new generations.

Batwa cultural experience will give you a deep understanding of how these locals enjoyed the forest, they will show it to you through their eyes, dance to their traditional music, and make fire without using modern-day matches or lighters, they will also teach you the medicinal purposes of plants and what they treat, guests are allowed to participate too if interested. It is an engaging activity to consider on a visit to Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga National Park, there are chances of walking through the forest as well and meeting a few primate species, for example, the black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and whispers from forest birds. A visit to the Batwa will require you to make payments for support which normally costs about $30 per person, it is done in the afternoon hours from 3:00 pm East African time.

Besides the Batwa cultural community, there are other things to do while in the region for example the gorilla trekking from the park headquarters you will be briefed about how to conduct yourself while with the primate species, and the hike through the forest is a tedious one however so rewarding by the end of the day, tracking gorillas takes 2-8 hours depending on how far the mountain gorillas have moved, it sometimes takes entirely the whole day or even not seeing them, however, in such incidents, guests are given a chance to track the following day. Birding in the Bwindi impenetrable national park, it is a rewarding point for birders into the ecosystem, there are over 300 species of birds that have been recorded here to date, some of these are endemics to the region for example the African green broad bill.

There is available accommodation in and around the conservation areas ranging from the best budget to Luxury Examples of facilities include Buhoma lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, and Ichumbi gorilla lodge, to mention few.

Batwa trail, Mgahinga National Park.

Batwa trail, Mgahinga National Park.

Ever heard of the Batwa people? Once you meet them, you’ll see the love of the forest in their eyes and overall lifestyle. The Batwa people are one of the interesting icons to be unveiled by travelers to Mgahinga National Park. The Batwa live a typical hunter-gatherer life that they have been known for all over the ages.

They are forest lovers and coexist with several animal species peacefully in their habitat. The Batwa inhabit sections of Mgahinga National Park and offer extremely exciting African local community experiences when encountered. The Batwa trails originate from the base of Mount Muhabura, In the caves. The walk through their homesteads is more like a live museum. One gets a glimpse of their life for the past centuries by just merely stopping and staring. The Batwa are a pygmy tribe. They are fierce warriors though extremely harmless unless provoked.

Mgahinga National Park as home to the Batwa trails.

Mgahinga is home to the Batwa people. The park lies in the southern arm of Uganda. It covers an area of approximately 33.7 square kilometers and is the smallest in the country. It hosts one of the most exciting community encounters. Mgahinga boasts of her exceptional biodiversity that allows her to host several animal species, especially primates and Great Lakes region endemic bad species especially the African spoonbill, eastern plantain eaters, bar-tailed trogons, standard winged night jars, hamerkops, African fish eagles, turacos, Abyssinian ground hornbill, black-bee eaters, cinnamons, egrets, African paradise flycatchers and African jacanas. All these can be viewed while on the Batwa trail, making it an even more rewarding adventure.

The Batwa trail experiences.

The Batwa trails present travelers with opportunities to scoop deep insights into the rural and traditional way of life of a typical African society. This is more like a glimpse into the early man’s life due to the likeliness of the practices of these people with that of the early man.

Visitors have the opportunity to explore the Ngarama caves while on the trail. This means a lot to the Batwa people as they are affiliated with them because of the historic monuments they hold. Several rituals were and still are conducted in these caves and that’s why they treat them as significant icons in society.

While on the Batwa trails, travelers are presented with stunning views of the volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park. It is worth noting that Mgahinga spans about three of the eight Virunga volcanoes that is to say Mt Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabinyo. Visitors get to move through these mountain bases while setting their eyes on some of the most exciting and uncommon flora and fauna species. Several wildlife creatures can also be seen while on the trail especially primates, Wildcats, bird species, and reptiles. The nature walks through the Batwa villages provide a relaxing feeling to the visitors and help one observe life from a completely different perspective helping boost self-esteem and appreciation of nature.

The Batwa trails are usually undertaken in the afternoon. The activity is normally done after a successful mountain gorilla trek. Visitors have the golden opportunity to spend the entire afternoon and evening interacting with this exciting rare tribe of people.

Best times to go for the Batwa trails.

It is important to note that the Batwa society is a welcoming and hospitable African setting that is always open to visits all year round.

The dry months, however, are the most appropriate months and seasons of the year in which visitors can embark on the exploration of the Batwa trails with limited interruptions from weather. The dry seasons are characterized by low rainfall which assures the travelers of steady grounds while maneuvering through the rainforests and mountainous terrain.

The dry months in Mgahinga are categorized into two according to the duration that is to say the long dry season which starts from late May to September and the short dry season which runs from December to early March.

How to get there.

The Batwa trails in Mgahinga can be accessed by road transport using the Kampala – Mbarara – Kisoro Road which takes approximately a 10 to 11 hours’ drive.

Visitors can also opt to fly to the park. This can be realized by boarding from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip from where they can embark on an onward transfer to the National Park under the company of a professional tourist guide to go embark on the exciting Batwa trails adventure.

Best time to visit Uganda.

Uganda is a beautiful country in East Africa, bordered by Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and the Democratic republic of Congo, it is most sought of for primates, and many wildlife species distributed in the biodiverse environments of Uganda, there are 10 national parks including Mgahinga national park a home to mountain gorillas, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park, Lake Mburo national park, Semliki national park, Queen Elizabeth national park , Mountain Elgon national park, Rwenzori national park , these are accompanied by the undeniable beauty of the Pearl of Africa from the magnificent rolling hills, Lakes and rivers, it is a beginning place to one of the world’s longest rivers river Nile.

Uganda experiences a good climatic season all year round and can be visited all year round, the angelic country experiences 2 seasons the wet and dry season, the dry season ranges from December , February and January and then June, July, August and September, the wet season on the other hand is in March, April, May, October , November. The dry season is the best time to visit Uganda, during this time there is less rains and more of the sun, the trails within the conservation areas are less slippery and easier to access. The wilderness of the savannah conservation areas gets to have shorter grasses and animals gathering around water sources to get a fresh water drink, it is possible to come across animal species for example leopards, lions, antelopes of different species, warthogs, in the primate destinations you will see the famous Mountain gorillas in the Bwindi impenetrable national park, and the chimpanzee of the Kibale forest national park.

Despite the weather being good, there has been a lot of global warming and climatic change taking place in the world at large hence it can rain anytime even in the dry season, the wet season is equivalently enjoyable, the grasses are greener, it is also a perfect time to go birding there are over 1000 species of birds most of which are endemics of the great Albertine rift valley region, example species include the African green broadbill, Abyssinian ground hornbill, plover birds, sunbirds, pelicans, Rwenzori Turaco, grey crowned cranes among other species.

How to access Uganda is through the main entry points, from the Entebbe international airport to land borders, it is important to consider having a valid passport to at least 6 moths to the month of expiry, yellow fever vaccination card, passport photographs, a travel plan, and visa, Uganda visas can be acquired from an online portal, single entry visas are charged $50 and multiple entry visas $100. Our company will assist in arranging ground transfers to the national conservation areas, Uganda safaris have the advantage of seeing most of the ecosystems in a few days, safaris can be 10 days , 2 days , 5 days, or even 15 days depending on the time travelers have to pay a visit to the lovely country

Dian Fossey hike at Volcanoes National Park.

The Dian Fossey grave hike is one of the outstanding activities there’s in the picturesque Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. The hike will take the visitor through the most beautiful places of the National Park and also enable them to watch exciting creatures therein.

Visitors on the hike have the golden chance to set their eyes on most significantly the mountain gorillas and other exciting fauna species since they will be traversing through their habitat.

Volcanoes National Park as the host of the hike.

Volcanoes National Park is a remarkable destination in Rwanda. It hosts an incredible diversity of both plants and animal life. Visitors to Volcanoes National Park get immersed in the sensational beauty of the Virunga massif.

Travelers have the opportunity to indulge in a series of exciting touristic activities ranging from the most outstanding mountain gorilla tracking to hikes. Volcanoes is a host of five of the eight captivating Virunga mountain ranges.

It is located in the northwest of Rwanda and spans an area of approximately 160 square kilometers.

Who was Dian Fossey?

Dian Fossey was a renowned primatologist. She rose to fame due to her exceptional work in the Virunga massif. She undertook extensive research about mountain gorillas between 1966 to the time she was murdered in 1985 by unknown assailants.

She dedicated her entire life to studying the lives of gorillas and other primates. She would do that regularly and she deserves the credit for the booming gorilla tourism activities in East Africa today.

It was because of her works and ideas that gorilla habituation processes were undertaken in the Virunga conservation area which has led to the exciting gorilla tourism activities such as trekking that many travelers enjoy in various national parks today.

Dian Fossey started the Karisoke Research Center which is up to date used by researchers from all corners of the world who wish to study primates in Volcanoes National Park.

The researcher spent 20 years in Rwanda studying mountain gorillas and indeed her work didn’t go to waste.

She was a renowned lover of the mountain gorillas and that is why when she died, she was buried close to her friends – the mountain gorillas who had also breathed their last. She indeed deserves the credit for her achievements. Travelers from time to time have hiked her grave in honor of the legend and her legendary works.

Hiking experience to the Dian Fossey gravesite.

The hike to Dian Fossey’s gravesite is normally done in the morning. Visitors arrive at the parks office in Kinigi at around 7:00 AM when they get briefed about the activity by the Ranger guides.

The Ranger guides provide travelers with information about the rules that govern the hike and what to do in case they meet wildlife species along the way.

The message is always about responsible travel and sustainability.

Visitors then embark on the hike at around 8:00 AM starting from the base of Mount Bisoke. Walking sticks are provided at the start of the hike at a free cost by the service providers at the National Park headquarters.

The Walking sticks help support the visitor while on the hike and enable them to maneuver through the thick tropical rainforests and make their way through shrubs and mountainous terrain.

Travelers can also hire porters to help them carry their bags and personal equipment they’ll need throughout the hike.

While on the climb, visitors unveil the breathtaking views of the entire Virunga massif that are good for photography and videography which usually act as souvenirs for the never-to-be-forgotten adventures in Africa.

Visitors will set their eyes on several wildlife species along the way including primates and bird species, especially the African endemics.

The Dian Fossey gravesite is at 2967 meters above sea level and it usually takes about two to three hours of determined hiking. The speed to the summit depends on the physical fitness of the hikers.

The best time to visit and the cost

The dry seasons are the most appropriate times in which one can embark on a successful and uninterrupted hike to the Dian Fossey gravesite. The dry seasons in Rwanda occur from early June to late September and from December to mid-March.

How to access the Dian Fossey gravesite.

Esteemed travelers can drive to Volcanoes National Park. It takes only a 2 hours and 30 minutes drive from Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes National Park.

On arrival at the park headquarters, continue to the base of Mount Bisoke where the hike starts. Mount Bisoke is only a 30-minute drive away from the park entrance.

Where to Go for mountain Gorilla trekking

the reports of IUCN as of 2018. There are only 1063 mountain gorillas alive in the world today. They can be found in the Virunga massif in the Central African tropical rainforests. It is a conservation area shared among three countries due to its vast size.

The topography of the area and the overall rainforest vegetation make it a perfect habitat for the leaves of mountain gorillas to flourish.

Mountain gorillas are descendants of the ancestral monkeys and apes of Africa. History has it on record that about 8.8 to 12 million years ago, the group of primates who were to evolve into gorillas split from their common ancestors with humans and chimpanzees. That’s when the Genus gorilla emerged.

It was through that process that mountain gorillas came into existence.

Mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda.

The mountain gorilla trekking safaris are such incredible adventures any wildlife enthusiast should endeavor to experience in a lifetime. The activity takes visitors through some of the most intact, untouched, and evergreen rainforests on the planet. The feeling of watching the gentle giants up close cannot be traded for any other.

The walk through the mountainous terrain and the views of the towering green forests make it even more rewarding.

Where to go for a mountain gorilla trekking safari.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park spans a large tropical rainforest in the southwest of Uganda in the present day Kanungu district covering an area of approximately 331 square kilometers. The park lies on the edge of the Albertine Rift in the western branch of the East African Rift Valley elevating from 1160 to 2607 meters above sea level on different edges.

Bwindi is home to a large population of mountain gorillas living in its four different gorilla tracking sectors that is to say Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Ruhija. These gorilla sectors are located in different parts of the park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 21 fully habituated gorillas available to help realize your dream of watching mountain gorillas up close.

Mgahinga national park.

Mgahinga National Park Is yet another incredible habitat for mountain gorillas that need not be missed for travelers seeking exceptional mountain gorilla trekking safaris. The National Park is a host to one Nyakagezi gorilla family. It is an exciting family to watch and many travelers that have been close to it can testify.

The beauty of gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park lies in the fact that visitors are exposed to the breathtaking views of three of eight Virunga mountain ranges that further make the trips to the park more satisfying. Mgahinga National Park is located in the southwest of Uganda in the Kisoro district.

Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park is another mountain gorilla habitat that gets adventurers excited. Volcanoes National Park is home to 13 fully habituated gorillas and is associated with the history of gorilla habituation and the entire gorilla tourism activities.

Visitors to the park thus not only get to watch the gorillas and witness their fascinating behaviors up close but also have deep insights into how the activities came into the developments they are at today. It is indeed an area of adventure and learning! Volcanoes National Park spans an area of about 160 square kilometers in the northwest of Rwanda encompassing 5 of the 8 Virunga mountains that add up to its overall beauty.

Virunga National Park.

Virunga National Park is Democratic Republic of Congo’s only National Park with mountain gorillas. That is exactly where its overall uniqueness lies. The park is Africa’s most diverse protected area renowned for its sensational biodiversity. It is not only home to mountain gorillas but also thousands of mammals, beautiful bird species, reptiles, and amphibians.

Virunga National Park is a dream come true destination for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts. The gorilla trekking activities in the park make visits to the park even more rewarding.

Best time to undertake a gorilla trekking safari.

Gorilla trekking safaris are often enjoyable in the dry months of the year. The dry months in central Africa and East Africa usually occur during the times from June to September making up the long dry season and December to February for the short dry season.

Applying Ugandan Visa

Uganda is a beautiful country in East Africa, it is commonly referred to as the pearl of Africa due to its natural composition, the contrast biodiverse environment from the hilly sides of the country side to savannah plantations, and it is bordered by Rwanda, Kenya, democratic republic of Congo and Tanzania. The country is most sought of when it comes to primates commonly for the critically endangered species of the mountain gorillas and Chimpanzee. Uganda Visa is the document that is offered to grant you access into the country weather you are flying into Uganda or driving through its land borders.

Uganda visa is given to tourists coming into the country for tourism or any other purposes, Visas are applied for online on the Uganda authority on the ministry of internal affairs, it takes 90 days for it to be approved, after this period of time without response in case the hold is automatically released, requirements for the visa include a valid passport copy, the biodata page has to be valid at least 6 months validity, a tour plan, confirmation itinerary from accommodation , recent passport size photograph, yellow fever vaccination card, return airtickets,Visas are charged $50 for a single entry once you have made payment it is nonrefundable.

When coming to all east African countries, it is wise to buy the east African visa it costs $100 this permits you to travel to Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda with the same visa entry, all visas are a must to be applied online as the process is as simple as described online, follow the steps carefully in order to apply for the visa. It is at least wise to apply one month prior to travel to avoid inconveniences, and having cancelations, the online process is not pending but a single application.

Approval letters are only issued by email when traveling it is wise to print every paper you have, for vaccines, see your doctor to advise further on necessary vaccines you might need for your travel to Africa., take note of your application number, Tourist visas are valid for only 45 days this visa can only be acquired only if you don’t have any running visa.

Uganda can be accessed through its main entry point the Entebbe international airport or through borders like the Cyanika border, the Busia border, swam border in eastern Uganda. Once you pass here at the airport, there is available accommodation in the country ranging from Luxury to the best budget.

Uganda can be visited all year round but best during the dry season between December-February and June- September, it is wise when considering a wildlife safari to Uganda to pack right including waterproof covers for phones and cameras, hiking boots, warm clothes, long sleeved hits and trousers, insect repellants and any other items of personal nature. The best things to do while here include wildlife game drives, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, guided nature walks, night game drives, birding , volcanic climbing among other nice things to do.

bwindi impenetrable national park

Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Do you think of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park when you think of any Gorilla Safari in Africa? One of the oldest and most famous national parks in the Republic of Uganda is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. for several decades now, its name has appeared on top of many bucket lists, safari itineraries and more because of the its lush tropical forest cover and its permanent residents, the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas, largest primate species in the world that can only be found on the African Continent.

Bwindi is among the most popular tourist attractions in Uganda. Uganda is a wonderful country! Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo surround this country in East Africa. Despite being a landlocked country, it stands out for its pleasant climate, hospitable residents, unique geography, variety of fauna and spectacular landscapes. Winston Churchill, a well-known wartime prime minister, traveled around Africa; he stopped in Uganda and was amazed by how beautiful it was. He referred to it as “The Pearl of Africa” in his book “My African Journey.”

Murchison Falls National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Magical Kidepo Valley National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Mountain Rwenzori National Park, Semiliki National Park, and Kibale National Park are the other nine national parks in Uganda.

Bwindi national park has four regions from which pre-trek briefing is held at day break. It is advised to reserve accommodations in the area where you will go gorilla trekking in order to manage the early morning wake up call. Uganda Wildlife Authority manages Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and other national parks around the country.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in Kanungu, Kisoro and Rubanda districts, at the farthest south-western corner of Uganda on the western border of Albertine Rift. The Virunga chain of mountains, spanning Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo is located about 25 kilometers south of the park. It ascends from a height of 1,160 meters to 2,607 meters. Over 160 different tree species and more than 100 different fern species are typical of it. The Runyakitara word Mubwindi, which means the “location full of darkness,” and this is the source of its name, Bwindi. It is because of the area’s luxuriant tropical forest, fern cover and swamps, to name a few.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was established as a national park in 1991, and four years later, in 1994, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its significance to ecology was the reason for this. Because of its distinctive offerings, the critically endangered mountain gorillas, largest primate species in the world, it has developed into one of Uganda’s top safari destinations over time.

The world’s highest population of mountain gorillas reside there in safety. However, the white and black colobus monkey population is equally astounding, along with other primates like baboons, chimpanzees, giant forest hogs, mammals, butterflies and more.

Gorilla Trekking Sectors / Regions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi national park is split into four sectors, namely; –

Buhoma Sector

The oldest and busiest region is Buhoma. It is close to the Kihihi airstrip and situated in the park’s northern region. There are five gorilla groups in this area: the Rushegura group, Katwe, Mubare, Muyambi and Habinyanja families. Due to the less steep terrain, gorilla trekking in this area is possible for both young and old.

Rushaga region

The Rushaga sector is situated in Kisoro district at the southern tip of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The biggest concentration of gorilla families is found there, and visitors that choose to stay there frequently savor the gorgeous surroundings and far views of the Virunga Mountains.

Habituated gorilla families in this sector are Mishaya, Kahungye, Nshongi, Bweza, Mucunguzi, Rwigi, Bikingi and Busingye gorilla groups. Hiking in this area necessitates a little greater physical fitness.

Ruhija Sector

Scientific researchers prefer this sector since it is easy to access of all other regions and is to the east of the park. It is simple to travel there from Buhoma or Kabale town. Great views of the forest ridges, distant Virunga mountains, and more may be enjoyed while staying in this region of the park. In Ruhija, there is a chance to see forest elephants, mammals, and numerous monkey species.

Nkuringo Sector

Nkuringo sector is located near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo in the park’s southern region. The renowned silverback – Rafiki lived here before dying suddenly in the hands of poachers in June 2020.

Bushaho family, Christmas Gorilla family, Nkuringo Family, and Posho gorilla family are the 4 habituated gorilla families in Nkuringo sector.

Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Gorilla trekking.

The primary activity here is going on a gorilla trek. It is conducted in four areas under the guidance of a knowledgeable ranger guide who will walk with you while narrating the history of Bwindi Forest, the homes of critically endangered mountain gorillas.

About 1 to 8 hours are spent trekking, plus an additional hour when you meet them, for photography and information.

Gorilla trekking permit costs 700 USD for non-residents, 250,000 UGX for citizens of east Africa and 600 USD for residents. The fee includes park entrance and the payment to ranger guides only.

Bird viewing, cultural tours, guided nature walks, and more are other activities. The Batwa pygmies, who were once hunters and gatherers and whose ancestors spent most of their lives in this forest, dependent on it for food and shelter, will be introduced to you.

Accommodation in Bwindi National Park.

The range of lodging options in Bwindi National Park includes affordable, midrange, high-end lodges and campsites. Booking the hotels near the respective trekking points is advised, because it saves time and allows one to be more flexible.

When to visit?

The best months to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are June through August and December through to March when rainfall is minimal and hiking is easy. However, the park is always open to visitors regardless of the season.

Visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime event, one of its kind on any African safari. The Park is open to everyone and is safe all-year through.