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Many people travel to Uganda’s beautiful Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to see the rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. It is a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience, but there is something else, something just as special, waiting to be discovered on the edges of the forest.
This is the home of the Batwa—an ancient tribe who once lived deep in the forest and called it their own. Not far from Orugano Bwindi Lodge is a hidden trail called the Buniga Forest Walk. It is more than just a walk. It is a journey back in time, guided by the Batwa people themselves.
They take you through the forest they once depended on for everything—food, medicine, shelter, and even their spiritual life. A visit here is not just interesting; it is deeply meaningful. It is a way to understand and help protect a culture that is struggling to survive in the modern world.
The Batwa call themselves the “Keepers of the Forests.”
They are one of Africa’s oldest tribes and have lived in the forests of western Uganda for thousands of years. They lived as hunter-gatherers. The men hunted small animals like monkeys, bush pigs, and birds using simple tools like spears and bows and arrows.
The women collected wild honey, berries, roots, and fruits from the forest. They used plants for healing and built their small homes from grass and sticks. Their clothes were made from animal skins. Everything they needed came from the forest. But life began to change when trees were cut down to make way for farms and cattle. The Batwa were pushed further and further out of their home.
In the 1930s, the remaining forest areas were made into protected reserves.
While this helped to save trees and protect endangered animals like the mountain gorillas, it also meant that the Batwa were no longer allowed to live in the only place they had ever known.
In 1991, when Bwindi was officially made into a national park, the Batwa were removed completely. They were not given land or help. They suddenly had no home, no land, and no way to survive.
The Batwa had always depended fully on the forest. They had no experience living outside of it. Life outside the forest was very hard. Many Batwa became landless, poor, and forgotten.
Some were treated badly and used in early exploitative tourism activities that did not respect their culture. But things are slowly changing. Today, through more respectful and thoughtful tourism, the Batwa have a new way to share their knowledge, earn money, and protect their identity.
One of the best ways to learn about the Batwa is by taking a walk with them through Buniga Forest.
This trail is managed by the Nkuringo Community Conservation and Development Foundation (NCCDF).
The Batwa themselves act as your guides, sharing their stories and showing you how they once lived in harmony with nature. As you walk through the thick green forest, your Batwa guide will show you how they used to trap animals, gather food, and find clean water.
You’ll learn how they made medicine from forest plants, how they lit fires without matches, and how they built shelters to survive harsh weather.
You will hear traditional songs, watch dances, and hear stories that have been passed down through generations. You will taste forest foods and see how they cooked meals using only natural tools.
Every step you take brings you closer to understanding a way of life that is simple, wise, and full of respect for nature. For the Batwa, this walk is not just a job. It is a chance to keep their traditions alive and to teach the world that the forest is more than just trees—it is a living home full of meaning.
After the forest walk, you also get the chance to visit Sanuriiro, a Batwa settlement nearby.
This is where some Batwa families now live. Life here is very different from life in the forest. While some Batwa still live as squatters with no land, the people in Sanuriiro have houses built with help from community programs. But even with these new homes, adjusting to life outside the forest is not easy.
In Sanuriiro, you can meet the community and talk to the people directly.
You’ll see how they are trying to rebuild their lives. Women sit and weave traditional baskets using natural fibers and dyes, while the children play nearby. Some of the men are learning to keep bees, turning their skills of wild honey gathering into modern beekeeping.
This visit is more than just looking at village life. It is a way to show the Batwa that their culture and knowledge still matter.
The same guides who showed you how they lived in the forest will now show you how they live today. This helps to connect the past with the present, and hopefully, with a better future.
The Buniga Forest Trail costs $25 per person. It’s affordable, but its impact is huge.
Seventy percent of this fee goes directly to the NCCDF, which uses the money to support Batwa education, health, clean water, and culture programs.
The other 30% goes to the Kisoro government.
When you walk with the Batwa, you are helping in many ways. You are giving them jobs. You are giving their children a reason to learn about their roots. You are telling them that their identity matters. And you are helping protect the forest by showing that people and nature can live together with respect.
You are also helping to change the story. In the past, the Batwa were pushed aside. Now, they are becoming leaders and teachers, sharing their wisdom and keeping their traditions alive.
While you’re in Nkuringo, the region offers a wide variety of unforgettable experiences beyond gorilla trekking. Whether you’re an adventurer or a seeker of serenity, there’s something here for everyone:
See Mountain Gorillas Up Close
Walk through the forest with expert guides to see the amazing mountain gorillas in the wild. Watching them in their home is something you’ll never forget.
Climb a Volcano
Hike up one of the nearby volcanic Virunga Mountains for great views and a big adventure. You’ll pass through forests and strange plants as you go higher.
Canoe on Lake Mutanda
Ride a wooden canoe across the calm and beautiful Lake Mutanda. The water is clear, the air is fresh, and the views are like a postcard.
Drink Fresh Ugandan Coffee
Sit back and enjoy a hot cup of local coffee. Grown nearby and freshly made, it tastes better than any coffee you’ve had before.
Take Peaceful Nature Walks
Stroll through quiet trails surrounded by trees and birdsong. It’s a perfect way to relax and enjoy nature.
Watch Colorful Birds
Bring your camera or binoculars and look for bright, beautiful birds. Nkuringo is full of amazing birds you won’t see anywhere else.
Track Golden Monkeys
Visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to follow the playful golden monkeys. They jump through the trees and are fun to watch in the wild.
The Buniga Forest Walk and visit to the Sanuriiro Batwa Community is more than just a tourist activity. It is a chance to step into someone else’s world. It is a rare meeting between the modern and the ancient, the forest and the future. The Batwa people are not just a part of Uganda’s past. They are a living, breathing community with a deep connection to nature, and a desire to keep their culture alive. By walking with them, listening to them, and learning from them, you become part of their story.
And that is a story worth sharing.
Looking to add a rare and meaningful encounter to your Uganda gorilla adventure in 2025 or 2026? Step off the usual path and walk with the Batwa — Uganda’s ancient forest people — as part of your tailor-made safari. If you would like to make this powerful cultural experience yours, don’t wait. Contact our safari experts today. Our team is ready to design a bespoke journey that combines wildlife, heritage, and authentic community encounters — just for you. You can also check out our safari itineraries here.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Nkuringo Sector- Uganda
+256-701-230-309
info@oruganosafaris.com
