“To see the Pygmies” has been a desire of Lake Bunyonyi visitors for decades. Sadly, the impact of these boat trips on Batwa “Pygmies” has not been very positive — and The Batwa Feast is here to change that! We have teamed up with Mama Bena whose hospitality has been legendary, to add a unique culinary element to the friendly experience of meeting the Batwa of Makanga.

Highlights

• get to know the stories of all major Lake Bunyonyi islands
• visit Kyevu Market on the western shores and hear about its transboundary economy
• invite the Batwa into your motorboat for a singing ride to Mama Bena’s
• step into a reconstructed traditional home of the Batwa
• try archery and making fire from just two sticks
• learn how to do traditional crafts (optional, has to be pre-arranged and adds 30 min)
• share a delicious local meal served by Mama Bena as you chat with the Batwa (you can help cook it if you wish!)

Facts

duration: 6 hours; difficulty: easy
area: Lake Bunyonyi
departures: daily at 9am and 1pm

NB: The Batwa Feast does not include costumes and remaking of life in the bush; it is focused on how people live today. No Batwa group in the Gorilla Highlands stays in the forest anymore.

Price: [COMING SOON]
Includes guiding, motorboat, lunch or dinner, drinking water, local beer, all activities, tips and a community contribution.

Itinerary

Our motorboat will pick you up from any lakeshore lodge or port of your choice. On board, an experienced guide will brief you on all things Lake Bunyonyi and lead you through the history and present-day life of the islands you pass along the way.

After about 45 minutes on the water, you’ll arrive at Kyevu, a vibrant lakeside market on Bunyonyi’s western shore. Saturdays are the real showstopper – the market buzzes with activity as people stream in from nearby villages and even across the border from Rwanda. But even on quieter days, Kyevu offers plenty to see, and your guide will walk you through the heart of the settlement.

This is where the Batwa Pygmies from Makanga, a remote village near the border, will join the journey. Since Makanga is bit too far to visit on foot, they’ve happily taken up the warm hospitality of Mama Bena, who lives just across the bay. The Batwa will accompany you by boat to her homestead, filling the short ride with energetic traditional songs.

To reach Mama Bena’s home, you’ll take on a steep 10-minute uphill walk — but it’s worth every step. She is a proud member of the Bakiga tribe and lives in a distinctive grass-thatched house. Alongside it, we’ve recreated an ancient Batwa hut, complete with authentic utensils, to help preserve and showcase their architectural heritage.

After the Batwa leader introduces you to the sadly lost forest life of his folk, other team members will demonstrate their mastery of the bow and arrow and fire-making — and yes, you’re absolutely encouraged to give it a go!

Next comes the communal part of the visit: a friendly circle where questions, stories, and laughter flow both ways. Be ready to share a bit about yourself, and don’t be shy – your hosts will be equally curious about your world. If arranged in advance, a half-hour craft session will follow the group chat.

Then enters the culinary feast! When Mama Bena brings out lunch (or dinner), expect a delicious spread of Bakiga staples: peas, beans, groundnut sauce, black nightshade, plantains, Irish potatoes and rice. She’ll also include Batwa favourites like cluster mallow and (safely cooked!) stinging nettle. It all goes down beautifully with a cup of obushera, the local sorghum beer.

After heartfelt goodbyes, you’ll help return the Batwa to Kyevu — a lively send-off, not a quiet one! Then sit back, relax, and soak in the 45-minute boat trip back to your lodge as the stories and songs of the day settle into memory.

Please schedule a call or leave us a message to learn more about this itinerary, express your needs and share your wishes.

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featured photo: Marcus Westberg