Mgahinga Garama Cave is one of the famous caves in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park that located approximately 4 km from Ntebeko visitor center. The caves were home for the Batwa who had lived there for many years until they were recently resettled.
It is set in the former farmland zone but in earlier times, the cave lied in the forest, where it was occupied periodically by Batwa. The Batwa used the cave as a council chamber and a retreat center after raiding their neighbors.
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The Garama cave is 342 meters long and 14 meters deep where the Batwa elders are found. Visitors meet the Batwa guides, known as the shortest people on earth. While here, the elders take you through prayer to their perfect black god for spiritual guidance. Along the walk, you will learn from their explanations and showcasing their former forest traditions including hunting skills, herbal medicine, water collection using bamboo shoots, tree climbing and houses, evolution of fire technology and pipe smoking.
While in Mgahinga Garama cave, the Batwa pottery remains and molded chairs where they used to stay and hide from their enemies can be seen. There are also bat colonies as you come out. The Batwa trail ends with memorable cultural dance performances including folklore and rituals.
On a guided walk, your guide will show you how the Batwa lived and fought out of the cave. There is a viewing platform 800m from the Park’s gate. On arriving at it, you’ll be rewarded with splendid views of the Park as well as its surrounding. This activity is free of charge and does not need a guide.
Best time to visit Mgahinga Garama Cave.
Mgahinga Garama Cave is open for all year around. Visitors who visit the Garama cave also participate in gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The best time to do such activities include June – August and December – February, because they’re drier seasons.
There is less rain during this time making Garama cave visit possible and gorilla trekking easier. March to April and September to November are usually very wet month, although they make the best bird watching time. During these months, it is usually misty and wet, making gorilla trekking difficult and golden monkey.
Gorilla trekking is the icon activity you can do while in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Other activities include; nature walk, golden monkey trekking, visit the Shozi crater and caves, bird watching and volcano climbing among others. The nearby attraction in Mgahinga Garama cave including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Mount Sabinyo and Mount Muhabura and so on.
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