The Buhoma village tourist walk, is an interesting community tour around Buhoma village, which is just in the neighbourhood of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This walk usually takes about three hours, and is managed by guides from the local community. As a result, all proceeds go to the community and is invested in their welfare.
During this Buhoma village tourist walk you will be introduced to some interesting places within the community. These include a typical rural farmhouse, a visit to a local traditional pharmacy, a demonstration on a banana beer brewery and much more.
While on the tour, you will see how people make local crafts such as baskets with the most intricate designs. You will learn about beer made from bananas, and a distillery that makes the local ‘waragi’ (gin) from bananas. Meet a traditional healer and learn about local herbs that are gathered from the forest and how they are applied to ailments.
You will see how local produce is growing and harvested, and how food is prepared over charcoal stoves or open fire. Visit one of the surrounding community schools, and meet the Batwa pygmies community as they perform songs and dances for your entertainment.
The Buhoma village tourist walk is certainly a cultural learning experience. The cost of the walk supports the local community, so it’s a win-win for everyone.
More About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Buhoma Village Tourist Walk
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also protects an estimated 400 mountain gorillas, that’s roughly half of the world’s population. This is because of the several habituated gorilla families such as the Oruzogo gorilla family, which can be tracked.
This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals. These include several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
Bwindi was managed as a productive forest reserve since 1932. In 1991, the forest gained a national park status with the official name of ‘Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’. It is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) as part of the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust/Area (BMCT/A).
BMCA comprises Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – the Ugandan portion of the Virunga Mountains. BMCA is also part of the Greater Virunga landscape, which includes southwestern Uganda, the eastern Democratic of Congo (DRC), and northwestern Rwanda. In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is the primary home to the Mountain Gorillas.