Located
about 342 meters, the Garama caves lie beneath a plateau in the northern side
of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, 3 kilometers from Ntebeko. It is established
within the former farmland zone but earlier times, the Garama caves were found
in the forest when it was occupied by mainly the Batwa pygmies. The Batwa are a
few incredible creatures who lived in the forest for more than 500000 years and
left it without any damage something unique with the current status. Currently,
the Garama caves offer the best site for the Batwa cultural performance at the end
of the Batwa trail making the park not only as one of the most exceptional spots for mountain gorilla trekking safaris but also for thrilling cultural encounters in Uganda and the world at large.
As you
plan your mountain gorilla trekking safaris to Mgahinga National Park or Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park, make sure that Garama cave exploration features in the
list of activities you wish to enjoy in Uganda. The Batwa trail is available that leads visitors up to the remarkable Garama
caves. At the cave, you will be welcomed by darkness and later the most thrilling cultural and musical
performance from the Batwa women who will be singing songs of sorrow as “why
they were removed from their treasured forest” and pleading to be allowed to go back to their lovely forest. The Garama caves offered refuge
to the Batwa during times of trouble like wars especially from the Bantu and also acted as a home to their
king at a time. These remarkable caves are 3 kilometers long from the park
entrance and the walk through them lasts for 3 to 4 hours.
Your
guided walk through the Garama caves allows you to explore lifestyle of these
gatherers, hunters who lived harmoniously with the forest without causing any
effect. The Garama cave is 342 meters long and 14 meters deep and as you walk
through it, do not be surprised to encounter bats. If you are looking for
breathtaking cultural safaris, look not further than the Garama cave
exploration in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda. The cave
is situated 14 kilometers southwards from Kisoro district and leads visitors on
rewarding hike towards the base of the great bulk of Mount Muhabura. While on
Garama cave exploration, you will be guided by the Batwa who will explain their
lifestyle, practices and also lead you to where their cultural performances are
done. A face to face encounter with the Batwa pygmies themselves is such
thrilling experiences given their unique height that doesn’t exceed 1.5 meters.
THE GARAMA CAVE |
In
conclusion, Uganda’s history can not be told without mentioning about the Batwa
pygmies. The Garama cave is sacred site for the Batwa people who lived in the
forest for over 500000 years while hunting and gathering but left without any
impact on the environment. For visitors on gorilla safari in Uganda, a visit to
the Garama caves is worth for you to add to explore much about these incredible
creatures.
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