Interested in the enriching community walks? Guided community walks offer a perfect addition to exhilarating gorilla trekking or birding experiences in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Like other regions/sectors in Bwindi, the Rushaga sector also has an option for tourists to embark on guided community walks. Visitors can experience the best of community walks on the available trails including the Nyabaremura Batwa, Rubuguri Origins Trail, and Kanyajondo Trail.
Nyabaremura Batwa Experience
The Batwa community visit takes you on an incredible exploration of the Batwa pygmies’ traditions and culture. The Batwa lived in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest mainly as hunters and fruit gatherers. The Nyabaremura Batwa walk offers an extended guided trek from Rushaga to Nyabaremura. Engaging in Batwa walk in Nyabaremura costs USD 60 for foreign nonresidents, USD 50 per person for foreign residents, and UGX 50,000 per visitor under the category of East African citizens/Ugandans.
The Rubuguri Origins Trail
The Rubuguri Origins trail takes you on a remarkable cultural and historical hike where you get in close interaction with locals. The trail involves exploring the Rubuguri village in the Southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The guided walk through the Rubuguri village allows you to explore the unique traditions and cultures, and also enjoy the traditional dances and songs.
During the Rubuguri village walk, expect to explore some of the finest local arts and crafts initiatives where local items are made by locals. You can even purchase some of the craft items including bags, baskets, safari hats, mats, and more. The local projects are intended to provide support to the locals and by purchasing them, you would have contributed a lot towards achieving the long-term goal.
The key highlights of the Rubuguri village hike include paying a visit to the traditional homesteads of the residents, getting a chance to interact with locals, and exploring the unique traditions and cultures.
The best time to go for community walks
Community walks can be done at any time of the year although the dry season/months come with favorable conditions. The dry months run from June, July, August, to September and December, January to February. There is also an option of embarking on a guided community walk around the off-months of the year; March, April, May, October, and November.