The Rubugiri village walk can be done near the borders of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. It is one of the best community walks in the area. During the walk, you join local people in their daily lives and learn about their traditional ways of living. This tour is organized by the Nkuringo Cultural Center, which also helps create jobs and supports the local community with the money earned.
The walk offers wide views of the hills, swamps, and traditional homes. You can take part in basket weaving, making handmade crafts, cooking local food, and many other activities.
What to Expect on the Walk
There is a craft shop at Wagtail Eco Safari Camp where you can buy handmade items. You can also enjoy traditional dances performed by local people. Visitors can also meet the Batwa community, who were the first people to live in the forest and once survived by hunting and gathering fruits.
Other Nature Trails Near Bwindi
Besides the Rubugiri village walk, there are other nature trails in Bwindi, such as the Munyaga Trail, River Ivy Trail, and the Waterfall Trail. You can explore the forest on guided nature walks that last from one hour to half a day. These walks give you a closer look at the forest, where you may see monkeys, birds, butterflies, and many plants. If you prefer not to walk, you can explore Bwindi on a mountain bike instead.
The Rubugiri village walk can be done at any time of year and at any time of day.
Combining the Walk With Gorilla Trekking
While visiting Bwindi, it’s hard to miss the chance to see the endangered mountain gorillas. They live in the higher parts of the forest, and gorillas are close relatives of humans, sharing over 95% of our DNA, much like bonobos and chimpanzees. If you plan to combine the Rubugiri village walk with gorilla trekking, you should book your gorilla permit early through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted tour operator.
Most people who visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park come mainly for gorilla trekking and overlook the other activities on offer, including visiting local communities and exploring the park on foot or by bicycle.
Bwindi Among the World’s Top Gorilla Trekking Destinations
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the top places in the world for trekking mountain gorillas. Other parks where you can see mountain gorillas are Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.




