Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Park and Mgahinga Park are popular destinations for tourists who want to see the endangered mountain gorillas. However, there is another reason to visit: the endangered Batwa tribe.

The Batwa Pygmy tribe once flourished in the area but now only a few members remain on the fringes of the national park. Visiting their community is an opportunity to learn about their traditional forest practices and support a people whose ancient way of life has been almost completely wiped out by modernization.

The Batwa people have never eaten gorillas nor have they ever wanted to harm them. Instead, they have lived in harmony with these majestic creatures for centuries. The Batwa tribe has been known to protect and preserve the forests until the arrival of the Bantu People. The Bantu tribes started deforestation, farming, and grazing on lands that the Batwa people once considered precious rainforests. Despite the changes, the Batwa people coexisted with gorillas, chimpanzees, and other animals and birds that inhabit the parks. Unfortunately, the Batwa people have been wrongfully accused of hunting gorillas and poaching in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla Park, and their reputation has been damaged.

The Batwa people are preserving their cultural heritage by guiding tourists through the ancient forests and showcasing their traditional way of life. They teach visitors about the medicinal plants they used, the berries they ate, and the small animals they hunted. You can spend time with them in the Buhoma Area of Bwindi Forest, Buniga Forest, and Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Experience the haunting acoustics of Garama Cave, once home to the king of the Batwa people, while listening to the women sing their traditional songs on the Batwa Trail in Mgahinga National Park.