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Uganda (the Pearl of Africa) as a travel destination is mostly known for a number of attractions which include the mountain gorillas, the world’s strongest waterfall (Murchison Falls), the source of the longest river in the world (River Nile), tree climbing lions, lakes and rivers, Mountain Rwenzori, and Mountain Elgon, to mention a few. Apart from the variety of attractions, Uganda is also rich in culture, history, and religion, and these also contribute a percentage to the tourism industry of the country. Today, let us talk about the rich culture of Uganda, specifically the Batwa people/ culture.

Who are the Batwa people?

The Batwa people/ Batwa Pygmies are believed or known to be the original inhabitants of the Bwindi and Maghinga approximately or about 60,000 years ago, before this area was turned into a national park to ensure the protection or safety of the endangered mountain gorillas. The Batwa people were relocated to new areas from their original home (Bwindi) by the then government, but due to the fact that they have lived in the Mideast of forests for many years, they are still trying to adapt or cope with the new environment around them till now. The Batwa are originally hunter, fruit, and root gatherers its like they are still locked in the stone age eras.

Why were the Batwa people/ pygmies evicted / relocated?

The Batwa people were evicted from Bwindi by the then government, who were ensuring the safety of the endangered mountain gorillas, and since the Batwa are originally hunters, they were considered to be a threat to the mountain gorillas, hence evacuating them and turning Bwindi and Maghinga into National Parks.

What challenges did the Batwa face when they were relocated?

Since these people were used to being part of the forest, as their home and source of livelihood, when they got evacuated or relocated, they found it hard to blend in with the new environment they lived in. They had to learn to grow food crops, yet they were used to hunting, fruit, and root gathering, which was their source of food. They also had to get used to the new neighboring communities, which gave them a very hard time due to their discrimination as a result of their way of life. The Batwa people had to learn to work on a daily basis as workers in order to earn a living. They also learnt different skills such as weaving, performing for tourists in order to earn a living.

Where are the Batwa people found?

As said earlier, the Batwa people or Batwa pygmies originally lived or inhabited Bwindi and Maghinga but were relocated and now can be found in different districts such as Kisoro, Kabale, and Kanungu.

The Batwa encounter in Bwindi or Maghinga National Park

The Batwa people Batwa pygmies encounter highlight travel activities that are done or carried out in these travel destinations. In most cases, the Batwa encounter is done by tourists or visitors after the Mountain gorilla trekking activity, and during this encounter, they get to visit the Batwa community, learn about their history through storytelling, watch them perform their cultural dances, watch how they live, showcase their hunting skills, and also get to interact with them.

What is the best time to visit the Batwa community?

You can visit the Batwa community during any time of the year but the best time to visit is during the dry season of the year during the months of June to August and December to February. The dry season is the best time to visit because during this time, the weather is more favorable for outdoor activities, and the walking trails are more accessible since they are mostly dry during this season of the year.

What is the Batwa Trail?

The Batwa trail is located or found near Maghinga National Park and is a trail or walking route which is used to showcase the livelihood and history of the Batwa people/ pygmies to the world or tourists. The Batwa trail is one of the tourist activities that is famous or requested by tourists or visitors who come to Maghinga National Park. This activity is always led by Batwa guides who are well-equipped with knowledge and history of their culture that they use to tell stories to tourists or visitors and also answer the questions and make sure that tourists have a good time during this activity. The Batwa trail walk takes about 5 hours, leading through the Ngarama caves, which were once the Batwa king’s palace, a hiding place during conflicts, and a food gathering place.

If you are planning to visit the Batwa community, you should always remember to respect the tour guide by listening attentively, seeking permission before doing anything, respecting the culture of the Batwa people, and also respecting the locals in all ways (Batwa people), and last but not list remember to practice sustainable tourism and not litter improperly. Your visit to the Batwa community always contributes to their livelihood since a percentage of your visiting fee is given to them. You can also decide to go ahead and donate to these people and put a smile on their faces. It will be very much appreciated. so, book with us and we shall walk hand in hand with you while have a n encounter with the Batwa people believed to be the shortest people in Africa.

When it comes to holiday tours in Africa, Uganda is one of the best countries to take them in. This little gem offers plenty of fascinating activities that suit different tourists since it’s blessed with rich wildlife, birds, different traditional cultures, and a varied landscape of mountains, numerous water bodies, and forests.

So to help you easily decide which holiday tours to go on in the country, here’s a list of the seven best you can enjoy on your holiday vacation:

1. Game viewing in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth nationals parks

These two parks offer the best game-viewing holiday tours in Uganda as they’ve got a diverse number of animals including elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, hippos, giraffes, and crocodiles. You can enjoy sightings of these animals on game drives along different trails in the park, hot air balloon tours, and boat trips.

The boat cruise in Murchison falls national falls is majorly taken to see the breathtaking falls while the one in Queen Elizabeth is taken along the Kazinga channel to catch sight of the animals you failed see during the game drive, and a myriad of water birds on the shorelines like the saddle-billed stork, pelicans, grey-headed kingfisher, shoebill stork, etc.

Besides that, you can also track chimpanzees in both parks, with the activity carried out in the Budongo forest of Murchison Falls and the beautiful Kyambura gorge of Queen Elizabeth.

2. Gorilla trekking holiday tour in Bwindi Impenetrable forest

This is one of the most popular holiday tours enjoyed in Uganda as it allows you to trek the commanding gorillas in a rainforest. The forest is home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas, which are referred to as man’s second cousins because they share similar traits to ours. You’ll notice these shared behaviors while you observe the mountain gorillas play and interact with each other for an hour in a once-in-a-lifetime experience after finding them. And if that time isn’t enough for you, you can take part in the habituation of these apes, an activity that lasts four hours.

3. The Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon hike

For mountain climbers looking for a worthy challenge, a hike up Mt. Rwenzori will satisfy your desire on this holiday tour in Uganda. This snow-capped mountain that is also called the “mountain of the moon” has six ranges you can climb, but Mount Stanley is the biggest draw because of its third highest peak in Africa – the Margherita (5,109m). The ascent to the top is tiring as you’ll have to navigate a steep terrain covered with rocks, mud, and ice in the higher altitudes through a dense forest of varied trees. But the stunning views of glaciers, lakes, and the Albertine rift valley from the peak make up for the fatigue.

4. Birding holiday tour on Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi – the second deepest lake in the world – is a birder’s paradise as it’s a habitat to approximately 200 species of birds that live on its islands. While taking a bird-watching cruise along L. Bunyonyi to some of these islands, you’ll enjoy stunning views of terraced hillsides surrounding the lake. On Bushara Island, you can take a bird walk through Mukoni village to see birds, such as Bronze and Red-chested Sunbird, African Hobby, White-headed Saw-wing, Black Kites, Swamp Flycatchers, etc.

5. Track Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park

Besides gorilla trekking, this chimps tracking holiday tour is another favorite for primate lovers. It’s popular to carry out this activity in Kibale national park because the chimps are more than in other places in the country and are easier to find in its rainforest. And on top of that, you can see other primates while you trek, like the red-tailed monkey, L’Hoests monkey, and the red colobus monkey, etc. plus various bird species.

6. Adventure holiday in Jinja

A visit to Jinja is a must-do for adrenaline junkies since this city is known as the “adventure capital of East Africa” because it has numerous thrilling activities. White water rafting on the mighty Nile is the most popular activity, and others include bungee jumping, river boarding, kayaking, jet boating, and quad biking. Besides that, you can also visit the source of the Nile while in Jinja and even enjoy its vibrant nightlife.

7. Cultural encounter with the IK and Karamojongs

If you love learning about foreign cultures and customs, then this holiday tour to the Karamoja region to visit the IK and Karamojongs tribes will suit you well. The IK are an endangered people living on top of Mt. Morungole while the Karamojongs are pastoralists who share cultural traits with the Maasai of Kenya. You’ll enjoy watching their traditional music plays, and cultural dances on top of visiting their grass-thatched homes within homesteads called Asak by the IK and Manyatta by the Karamojongs. And on top of this, you can take game drives in Kidepo Valley national park since these tribes live close to it.

Now that you know the best holiday tours to take in Uganda, here are some tips to help you have a memorable time during your vacation:

Book with a trusted company: With that, you’ll be assured of a stress-free safari as they will smoothly organize and run the tours. Also, they will be able to expertly deal with problems that may arise along the way.

Book the holiday tour early: There are some activities, such as gorilla trekking that requires you to get the permits in advance before travelling to Uganda to avoid missing out on the activity since the permits are few and get snapped up quickly.

Take the tours during the dry season: This is between June-August and December-February to enjoy your activities without much rain disruption. Note that it still rains during these seasons, but the rain isn’t a lot like in the wet season.

Buy travel insurance: It’s best to have insurance even if you may end up not using it because you are better off safe than sorry, most especially if you enjoy adventure activities since they tend to be more risky.

Pack the right clothes: What you pack can depend on the activities you intend on carrying out while on a holiday vacation to Uganda, but here is a list of the general things to carry along:

Sunscreen, Insect repellent, Sunhat, Sunglasses, Hiking shoes, Jacket, Long and short-sleeved shirts, Shorts and trousers, Swimwear, Camera, Travel adapter.

Enjoy holiday tours in Uganda

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book the vacation you choose so you can have an amazing time in our country.

There are so many amazing attractions and things to do in Uganda that the entire country is worthy of being named a world wonder.

Famously described as the ‘pearl of Africa’ by Britain’s wartime and widely-traveled prime minister Winston Churchill, head to Uganda, and you can experience everything from once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking excursions to mesmerizing days on the beach. Not bad for a country that doesn’t even have a coastline!

If that’s got you thinking, look at just some of the huge number of things to do in Uganda right here.

1. Go Gorilla Trekking

There’s a reason gorilla trekking appears in top spot in most guides to the things to do in Uganda. For one thing, the country is one of just three countries worldwide where mountain gorillas can be seen in their natural environment of thickly forested slopes.

Another is the sheer wonder of being able to get so close to these gentle giants, whose temperaments and characters are so different to those depicted in Hollywood blockbusters.

Although protective of their families, silverbacks rarely threaten, having learned that tour groups that have trekked through the jungle to see them are happy being spectators to what has to be one of nature’s finest spectacles.

2. Head Out on Safari

Gorilla treks aren’t the only things to do in Uganda directed towards the country’s extraordinary list of species. Not far from the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest lie three national parks protecting important savannah grasslands.

Together, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo national parks are a bastion for the continent’s most-loved animals. There’s the chance to see elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo – all part of the Big 5 – alongside giraffe, hippo and African wild dog (painted wolves).

No tours in Uganda are complete without a couple of nights in these magical landscapes joining game drives by day and listening to the roar of big cats by night.

3. Tackle the Nile’s Whitewater Head On

Beyond its wildlife, Murchison Falls National Park is the location of one of Africa’s most dramatic waterfalls. It may not have the size of Victoria Falls further south, but Murchison Falls is still a sight you won’t want to miss.

Also now known as Kabalega Falls, they result from the newly-born River Nile being forced through a gorge whose rocks are just seven meters wide. From the waters both above and below they are an undoubted wonder.

But for things to do in Uganda sure to set your heart racing, look no further than whitewater rafting on the Nile rapids near to the source of the Nile at Jinja.

4. Hike the Rwenzori Mountains

Found in Uganda’s far west on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Rwenzori Mountains provide an impressive contrast to the plains of nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here fauna gives way to flora, with the mountains home to tropical rainforest, alpine meadows and even permanent glaciers way beyond the tree line.

Rising to a height of more than 5,000 meters, the Rwenzori range also hosts the third highest peak anywhere in Africa. Mount Stanley’s Margherita Peak, named after Queen Consort to King Umberto I of Italy, rises to 5,109 m. A formidable challenge for walkers and hikers, reaching the summit and returning to a base at Kasane is a truly epic eight or nine day hike, although much shorter and less strenuous walks within the mountains are also possible.

5. Paddle the Waters of Lake Bunyoni

It may seem odd to suggest heading to Lake Bunyoni as one of our top things to do in Uganda, rather than the much more grandiose Lake Victoria, however we have our reasons.

For one thing, the immerse size of Lake Victoria can actually make it difficult to know where to head, whereas Lake Bunyoni is a much more reasonable size. For another, the lake is an easy drive from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This makes it a great place to relax and contemplate the world after trekking to see mountain gorillas.

What’s more, there are plenty of ways to get out on the water and discover why the lake’s name translates as the ‘place of little birds’. Board a traditional fishing boat, take to the waters by kayak, or stick to dry land. Either way, you’ll be glad you included Lake Bunyoni on your Uganda itinerary.

6. Explore the Culture of the Baganda

The people of modern-day Uganda are well known for their hospitality to travelers, as our travel information about Uganda testifies. But this wasn’t always the case. Forming the largest traditional kingdom in east Africa, the Baganda people once had a fearsome reputation.

Neighboring tribes would scatter on hearing Baganda war canoes on Lake Victoria, knowing of the kingdom’s practice of mass human sacrifice. Some 800 prisoners were said to have been ritually killed each year.

Now a constitutional and largely ceremonial monarchy, the kingdom is currently ruled by Muwenda Mutebi II, the 36th ‘kabaka’ of the Baganda. While his palace is well worth a glimpse – including its underground torture chambers – the Kasubi Royal Tombs are the real prize. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, they are the burial place for four kabaka and several other members of the ruling family.

Unforgettable Things to Do in Uganda: Best of the Rest

The list of six things to do in Uganda we’ve created represents the very best that Uganda has to offer. Covering wildlife, natural landscapes, and the region’s culture, these are attractions that you miss at your peril.

However, with time on your side, there are a great many other things to do in Uganda we’d love to mention but just don’t have the space for. They include Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, probably one of the best ways to stand only a few meters away from some of the rarest creatures on Earth. Instead, you might like to stand on the equator line, one of few chances in the world to have a presence in both northern and southern hemispheres at the same time!