When it comes to wildlife conservation and eco-tourism, Uganda does command outstanding respect. However, a visit to the country cannot be complete if some time is not set aside to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The park can be reached from Kampala either by air or road. From Kampala, the park can be approached from the south via Mbarara (420 km) or the north passing through Fort Portal (410 km). Three airstrips serve Queen Elizabeth National Park and these include Ishasha, Mweya and Kasese airfield.
This 2,056 square kilometre park was established in 1952 when the two game reserves of Lake George and Edward were merged into Kazinga National Park. Two years later it was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park when Queen Elizabeth II of England visited Uganda.
It is one of the oldest national parks in Uganda and is designated as a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity under the auspices of UNESCO. Together with Kyambura and Kigezi wildlife reserves, the park forms one of the most diverse eco-systems in Africa.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is really enticing. Take time off and visit it. Visit with your family or that special person in your life, but go prepared to fall in love all over again for the park is blessed with spectacular scenery and attractions to fill one action packed holiday and still leave scores of other experiences to be enjoyed on a return trip.
The low attitude and its location directly on the equator mean that the temperatures can be warm, rising from a mean minimum 18ºC to mean maximum of 28ºC. The park receives up to 1250mm of rain mostly from March to May and September to November.
The melting glacier waters of the Rwenzori Mountains create a vast wetland system comprising of two main lakes George and Edward. Edward was named by the explorer Henry Morton Stanley after the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.
The two lakes are connected by a 40km long channel whose shorelines are populated by thousands of hippos and birds all year round.
This park is a paradise for dedicated ornithologists as well as the novice bird watcher. The bird list is 612 species including the rare Shoe Bill, the Martial Eagle, Papyrus Gonolek, White tailed lark, Verraux's Eagle Owl and the Lesser and Greater Flamingos.
The park is an ultimate feast for all senses. There are over 95 mammalian and hundreds of butterfly species.
Activities like the launch cruise along Kazinga Channel will offer you a unique unequaled wildlife experience. It puts one right in the heart of nature where many buffalos nest in the water while big herds of elephants can be seen enjoying themselves along the channel banks.
Many who experience it consider it the highlight of their entire African safari. The launch cruise schedules run in the morning and afternoon.
The open savannah dotted with Acacia and Euphorbia trees provides habitat for lions, leopards, buffalos and Uganda kobs. Among the many other animals seen frequently are the water bucks, giant forest hog, hyenas and topi.
Networked by over 200 kilometres of well maintained tracks, the visitors get access to the park's game as some of the tracks pass through large mating grounds of the Uganda kob. The game drives can be arranged through reputable tour companies who are under the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO).
The Kasenyi sector on the east side of Kasese road is best known for lions which prey on large populations of the Uganda kob while the famous tree climbing lions can be spotted on large fig trees in the Ishasha sector which is 100 km south of Mweya Lodge.
Another principal feature of the park is Kyambura Gorge. This steep gorge was formed by turbulent waters of the roaring Kyambura River. It provides a lush riverine forest that is home to chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white Columbus monkeys, olive baboons and other primates.
The park also has one of Uganda's largest tracts of tropical forest - Imaramagambo forest which translates as "the forest beyond description".
This forest stretches from the foot of the Kichwamba escarpment to Lake Edward. Pythons are often observed in the crevices of the bat cave floor using the bats as a source of food.
The cave is near the copper rich blue lake and hunters' cave. Beautiful crater lakes are spread throughout the park, the most notable being the Katwe explosion craters.
This cluster of extinct volcanoes north of Mweya peninsula can be explored by the winding 27km crater drive between the main and equator gates which provide superb views into the numerous craters.
Considering that the festive season is fast approaching, it is advisable to make reservations in advance for your overnight stays. A variety of accommodation caters for all budgets.
Mweya Safari Lodge, Jacana Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, King Fisher Lodge, Katara Lodge, Kichwamba and Hippo Hill Camp are good options for overnight stay. Other budget accommodation facilities can be provided by the Ecology Hostel at the Mweya peninsula and Ishasha Bandas.
For those who prefer staying out of the park, Kasese town would be an option.
Hotels such as Margherita and Rwenzori International Hotel are not only good options for families but also for free independent travelers. Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly amazing - take your camera, for you will want to record all the wonders you will see!
PUBLISHED BY AFRICAN WRITER
Thursday, January 15, 2009
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GORILLAS AND HUMANS 'GORILLAS IN THE MIST'
Gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans and humans all belong to the order of primates. Humans share 98.4% of their genetic material with gorillas and 98.8% with chimpanzees.
Gorillas; the largest of the great apes are divided into three subspecies that include the western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and the eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla graueri). The eastern and western lowland gorillas were identified for science in 1847 and 1877 respectively.
The third subspecies - the mountain gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei) was identified for scientific purposes in the year 1903 and has gone on to become Uganda's star attraction.
Mountain gorillas are physically distinct from lowland gorillas. They are larger, have more hair, a short trunk, a broad chest and shoulders and also have a longer and slightly different nose shape.
Mountain gorillas are born small, covered with black hair and usually weigh about 2.3 kilogrammes. Gorillas develop about as twice as human babies with the mature female mother also undergoing a gestation period of nine months. They are unique species; as a gorilla with an infant may not have another baby for up to four years: good family planning.
Male and female gorillas between the ages of three and six years are classed as juvenile. They increase in size and weight at similar rates for the first six years. On reaching six years; most mountain gorillas weigh about 68 kilogrammes and are usually about four feet tall.
The female mountain gorillas stop growing taller at around six years whereas the males continue growing both in size and weight till they reach the age of ten to eleven.
Between the ages of six and ten, the males have a black hair colour and are thus referred to as the blackbacks. On reaching maturity which is usually between 10 and 12 years, they develop silvery grey hairs on their backs thereby being referred to as silverbacks.
The silverbacks usually leave their parental group at the age of 11 and then moves alone or in the company of other males for a few years before managing to attract females from other groups to him hence forming his own family. Silverback is a dominant male in a group of about 12 or more gorillas that usually include females, juveniles and other infants.
On a good day, you will find them chewing leaves, laughing and farting not only continuously but with a lot of contentment. They are diurnal and nomadic, sleeping each night in a fresh nest built from leaves and branches.
Mountain gorillas are primarily vegetarian with their menu comprising bamboo, nettles and gallium being some of their favourites.
They occasionally also eat safari ants which are scooped in huge handfuls to stuff into the mouth until the safari ant bites overpower them. Gorillas spend most of their time traveling and foraging in search of food since plants and trees change with seasons.
Gorillas communicate through vocalizations. Twenty-five distinct vocalizations have so far been recognized with each one having its own particular meaning.
As an element of their socialization, they communicate through howls, grunts, barks and hoots. Screams and roars signal alarm or warning and are often produced by silverbacks.
They also communicate by beating on their chests or on the ground. This is done to show stature, prevent a fight or even scare off opponents.
However, even the infants beat their chests as a kind of displacement activity during play perhaps just to copy their elders.
Mountain gorilla life is peaceful and quite. It is from this that they have come to be called Africa's gentle giants.
These gentle giants are found in the areas of Parc des Volcans - in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo while in Uganda, they are confined to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park gazetted in 1992, is situated in south western Uganda on the edge of the western rift valley (Albertine rift) and is shared by Kanungu, Kabale and Kisoro districts. It is 331 square kilometres in size; on an altitude range of 1,160 metres (Ishasha gorge) to 2,607 metres (Rwamanyonyi peak).
The total number of mountain gorillas in Bwindi is approximately 340 which is almost over half of the total estimated 720 left in the whole world. Gorilla tourism provides over 50% of tourism revenue for Uganda thus being a strong reason for its protection.
PUBLISHED BY AFRICAN WRITER"
Gorillas; the largest of the great apes are divided into three subspecies that include the western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and the eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla graueri). The eastern and western lowland gorillas were identified for science in 1847 and 1877 respectively.
The third subspecies - the mountain gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei) was identified for scientific purposes in the year 1903 and has gone on to become Uganda's star attraction.
Mountain gorillas are physically distinct from lowland gorillas. They are larger, have more hair, a short trunk, a broad chest and shoulders and also have a longer and slightly different nose shape.
Mountain gorillas are born small, covered with black hair and usually weigh about 2.3 kilogrammes. Gorillas develop about as twice as human babies with the mature female mother also undergoing a gestation period of nine months. They are unique species; as a gorilla with an infant may not have another baby for up to four years: good family planning.
Male and female gorillas between the ages of three and six years are classed as juvenile. They increase in size and weight at similar rates for the first six years. On reaching six years; most mountain gorillas weigh about 68 kilogrammes and are usually about four feet tall.
The female mountain gorillas stop growing taller at around six years whereas the males continue growing both in size and weight till they reach the age of ten to eleven.
Between the ages of six and ten, the males have a black hair colour and are thus referred to as the blackbacks. On reaching maturity which is usually between 10 and 12 years, they develop silvery grey hairs on their backs thereby being referred to as silverbacks.
The silverbacks usually leave their parental group at the age of 11 and then moves alone or in the company of other males for a few years before managing to attract females from other groups to him hence forming his own family. Silverback is a dominant male in a group of about 12 or more gorillas that usually include females, juveniles and other infants.
On a good day, you will find them chewing leaves, laughing and farting not only continuously but with a lot of contentment. They are diurnal and nomadic, sleeping each night in a fresh nest built from leaves and branches.
Mountain gorillas are primarily vegetarian with their menu comprising bamboo, nettles and gallium being some of their favourites.
They occasionally also eat safari ants which are scooped in huge handfuls to stuff into the mouth until the safari ant bites overpower them. Gorillas spend most of their time traveling and foraging in search of food since plants and trees change with seasons.
Gorillas communicate through vocalizations. Twenty-five distinct vocalizations have so far been recognized with each one having its own particular meaning.
As an element of their socialization, they communicate through howls, grunts, barks and hoots. Screams and roars signal alarm or warning and are often produced by silverbacks.
They also communicate by beating on their chests or on the ground. This is done to show stature, prevent a fight or even scare off opponents.
However, even the infants beat their chests as a kind of displacement activity during play perhaps just to copy their elders.
Mountain gorilla life is peaceful and quite. It is from this that they have come to be called Africa's gentle giants.
These gentle giants are found in the areas of Parc des Volcans - in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo while in Uganda, they are confined to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park gazetted in 1992, is situated in south western Uganda on the edge of the western rift valley (Albertine rift) and is shared by Kanungu, Kabale and Kisoro districts. It is 331 square kilometres in size; on an altitude range of 1,160 metres (Ishasha gorge) to 2,607 metres (Rwamanyonyi peak).
The total number of mountain gorillas in Bwindi is approximately 340 which is almost over half of the total estimated 720 left in the whole world. Gorilla tourism provides over 50% of tourism revenue for Uganda thus being a strong reason for its protection.
PUBLISHED BY AFRICAN WRITER"
Monday, December 22, 2008
RAFTING ON THE LONGEST RIVER IN AFRICA & SECOND LARGEST IN THE WORLD (RIVER NILE)
Become truly advantureous associate your self with rafting ,in Uganda Rafting is one of the activities where most people spent their leisure time ,The White Nile Makes the legendary Nile river look small. The roar of the rapids drift upstream with the gentle breeze and wooden canoes laden with excited locals congregate in the calm waters anxious to see the rafts in action. Rafts explode through huge walls of whitewater and adrift through warm green pools in the equatorial sunshine. This is whitewater rafting at its very best.
Each trip is accompanied by an oar-powered raft which we fondly call the suntan raft. The guide will row you down the river, tackle the smallest waves and very seldom flip. All you have to do is hold on and work on your tan.
Safety and Risk Management.
Safety is our priority with the help of Adrift and they lead the field with our proactive approach to the management of risk. Adrift has internationally qualified guides are carefully chosen based on their skills, experience and their ability to address the need and expectations of each individual client. Adrift has the most experienced team on the continent (with over 100 years combined experience) and all guides are comprehensively trained in CPR, wilderness first aid and swift water rescue. “We can not eliminate the risk but we do our best to minimize it.”
Don’t miss this adventure when you visit Uganda, Spend at least a half day rafting though it can go beyond half day depending on your time availability and wealth of your pocket .
In the region there are other interesting activities like quad biking and horse riding as both activities make one forget his usual stress and focus only on joy and fun become an active participant associate with adventure !!!!!.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
UGANDA AS ASEREN DESTINATION
Uganda is widely known for its interesting bird worching and primate trekking of which is Uganda is reviving from its pre colonial period where it was looked at with abad image during those dark ages
Sir Winston Churchhill described Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa”. This is a fact that is not disputed by any visitor to Africa. Uganda is one the most magnificent countries in Africa with fantastic natural scenery, half the world’s most sought-after mountain gorilla population, first class white-water rafting at the Source of the Nile River and national parks with a high concentration of wildlife.
The natural attractions are among the best in Africa. Take your pick from the highest mountain range in Africa, the Rwenzori Mountains; one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, Murchison Falls; the highest primate density in the world, Kibale Forest national park and many more exist in Uganda.
Uganda has an area of 236,580sq km, of which about 25% is fertile arable land with a potential of high Agricultural yields. Lake Victoria and the Nile River create one of the best watered areas in Africa. Most of Uganda’s terrain is fairly at a constant altitude with mountains only in the extreme west (the Rwenzori), extreme east (Mt Elgon) and the Mufumbira ranges at the southwestern border with Rwanda.
The country enjoys a similar tropical climate with temperatures averaging about 260c at day time and 160c at night. The wet seasons in the south range from April to May and October to November, the wettest month being April. In the North, the rainy season is from April to October and the dry season stretches from November to March. In the rainy season the average rainfall is 175mm per month. Humidity is generally low during the dry seasons.
Uganda’s national parks include:
*Queen Elizabeth
*Murchison Falls
*Kibale
*Semuliki
*Mt Elgon
*Mt Rwenzori
*Kidepo
*Mgahinga
*Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Uganda’s mountains include:
• Rwenzori
• Mufumbira (Virunga ranges )
• Elgon
• Moroto
The above mountains form a natural border of Uganda with her neighbors that include: in the west, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); in the South, Rwanda and Tanzania; in the east, Kenya; and in the north, Sudan where they are all being looked as transboundary resources
Sir Winston Churchhill described Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa”. This is a fact that is not disputed by any visitor to Africa. Uganda is one the most magnificent countries in Africa with fantastic natural scenery, half the world’s most sought-after mountain gorilla population, first class white-water rafting at the Source of the Nile River and national parks with a high concentration of wildlife.
The natural attractions are among the best in Africa. Take your pick from the highest mountain range in Africa, the Rwenzori Mountains; one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, Murchison Falls; the highest primate density in the world, Kibale Forest national park and many more exist in Uganda.
Uganda has an area of 236,580sq km, of which about 25% is fertile arable land with a potential of high Agricultural yields. Lake Victoria and the Nile River create one of the best watered areas in Africa. Most of Uganda’s terrain is fairly at a constant altitude with mountains only in the extreme west (the Rwenzori), extreme east (Mt Elgon) and the Mufumbira ranges at the southwestern border with Rwanda.
The country enjoys a similar tropical climate with temperatures averaging about 260c at day time and 160c at night. The wet seasons in the south range from April to May and October to November, the wettest month being April. In the North, the rainy season is from April to October and the dry season stretches from November to March. In the rainy season the average rainfall is 175mm per month. Humidity is generally low during the dry seasons.
Uganda’s national parks include:
*Queen Elizabeth
*Murchison Falls
*Kibale
*Semuliki
*Mt Elgon
*Mt Rwenzori
*Kidepo
*Mgahinga
*Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Uganda’s mountains include:
• Rwenzori
• Mufumbira (Virunga ranges )
• Elgon
• Moroto
The above mountains form a natural border of Uganda with her neighbors that include: in the west, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); in the South, Rwanda and Tanzania; in the east, Kenya; and in the north, Sudan where they are all being looked as transboundary resources
MOUNTAIN OF THE MOON
RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
The fabled “MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON”- the Rwenzori Mountains (996 km2) runs for almost 120km along Congo (DRC) border. The legendary, mist-covered Rwenzori Mountains have a reputation for being very wet at times. This was summed up by a comment on the wall of Bujuku hut: “Jesus came here to learn how to walk on water. After five days anyone could do it”. At its centre are several mountains that are permanently glacier-covered: Mt Speke (Vittorio Emmanuele is its highest peak at 4890); Mt Gessi (Iolanda, 4715m); Mt Baker (Edward is its highest peak, 4843m); and Mt Luigi di Savoia (4627m). The three highest peaks in the range are Margherita (5109m), Alexandria (5083m) and Albert (5087m), all on Mt Stanley.
Mountain trekking of the Rwenzori always takes 7 days as the standard, but climbers need more 2 days to access the peaks. The appropriate periods for mountain trekking are from December to the end of February, and mid-June to mid-August, when there is less rain. October is the wettest month. The routes to the peaks on Mt Baker and Stanley all cross snow and glaciers, so equipment such as ice-axe, crampons and ropes need to be used.
The Rwenzori ranges are known for their challenging climbing and hiking abilities. The ranges also support a diversity of animals, including 70 mammal and 177 bird species. The largest number of bird species comprises of Albertine Rift Endemics. The Angola colobus has been recorded only here. Black-and-white colobus monkeys are in plenty. Every zone, like other East African ranges, has its own distinct microclimate and flora and fauna. Several mammals present include elephant, chimpanzee, servalline genet, golden cat, yellow-backed duiker and giant forest hog.
Rwenzori bird watching (brief facts)
DISTRICTS Kasese, Kabarole & Bundibugyo and part of DRC congo
SIZE 996km2
ELEVATION 1700m – 5109m atop Margherita
STATUS Gazetted a national park in 1991
HABITAT Montane forest with bamboo on the lower slopes, Afro-alpine and heath moorland on higher slopes
TIMING January-February and July-August are driest periods but rain is possible year round
TIME REQUIRED 6-7 days for the normal mountain loop and 3 days for shorter foothill hike however the hike can go beyong 7-12 days depending on the number of picks one would wish to climb.
BIRDS RECORDED 197 species
KEY SPECIES ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMICS
Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome francolin, Kivu Ground Thrush, Montane Masked and Collared Apalises, Red-faced woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Strange Weaver, Dusky and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Regal and purpal-breasted Sunbirds and stripe-breasted Tit.
OTHERS
Sparrowhawk, Lammergeier, Western Green Tinkerbird, grey-chested illadopsis, African long-eared, Montane Sooty Boubou, Lagden’s Bushshrike, Olive woodpecker, red-faced Crimsonwing, golden-winged and scarlet-tufted Malachite, Long-tailed Cuckoo, and Orile-Finch.
The fabled “MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON”- the Rwenzori Mountains (996 km2) runs for almost 120km along Congo (DRC) border. The legendary, mist-covered Rwenzori Mountains have a reputation for being very wet at times. This was summed up by a comment on the wall of Bujuku hut: “Jesus came here to learn how to walk on water. After five days anyone could do it”. At its centre are several mountains that are permanently glacier-covered: Mt Speke (Vittorio Emmanuele is its highest peak at 4890); Mt Gessi (Iolanda, 4715m); Mt Baker (Edward is its highest peak, 4843m); and Mt Luigi di Savoia (4627m). The three highest peaks in the range are Margherita (5109m), Alexandria (5083m) and Albert (5087m), all on Mt Stanley.
Mountain trekking of the Rwenzori always takes 7 days as the standard, but climbers need more 2 days to access the peaks. The appropriate periods for mountain trekking are from December to the end of February, and mid-June to mid-August, when there is less rain. October is the wettest month. The routes to the peaks on Mt Baker and Stanley all cross snow and glaciers, so equipment such as ice-axe, crampons and ropes need to be used.
The Rwenzori ranges are known for their challenging climbing and hiking abilities. The ranges also support a diversity of animals, including 70 mammal and 177 bird species. The largest number of bird species comprises of Albertine Rift Endemics. The Angola colobus has been recorded only here. Black-and-white colobus monkeys are in plenty. Every zone, like other East African ranges, has its own distinct microclimate and flora and fauna. Several mammals present include elephant, chimpanzee, servalline genet, golden cat, yellow-backed duiker and giant forest hog.
Rwenzori bird watching (brief facts)
DISTRICTS Kasese, Kabarole & Bundibugyo and part of DRC congo
SIZE 996km2
ELEVATION 1700m – 5109m atop Margherita
STATUS Gazetted a national park in 1991
HABITAT Montane forest with bamboo on the lower slopes, Afro-alpine and heath moorland on higher slopes
TIMING January-February and July-August are driest periods but rain is possible year round
TIME REQUIRED 6-7 days for the normal mountain loop and 3 days for shorter foothill hike however the hike can go beyong 7-12 days depending on the number of picks one would wish to climb.
BIRDS RECORDED 197 species
KEY SPECIES ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMICS
Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome francolin, Kivu Ground Thrush, Montane Masked and Collared Apalises, Red-faced woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Strange Weaver, Dusky and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Regal and purpal-breasted Sunbirds and stripe-breasted Tit.
OTHERS
Sparrowhawk, Lammergeier, Western Green Tinkerbird, grey-chested illadopsis, African long-eared, Montane Sooty Boubou, Lagden’s Bushshrike, Olive woodpecker, red-faced Crimsonwing, golden-winged and scarlet-tufted Malachite, Long-tailed Cuckoo, and Orile-Finch.
Friday, November 28, 2008
RWANDA LAND OF THOUSAND HILLS
RWANDA
Rwanda located between the eco-system of the Congo basin and the Great Rift Valley of Eastern Africa and thus shares the natural riches of both worlds resulting in a country of exquisite beauty and unsurpassed biodiversity.
The country lies at 2 00 S, 30 00 E, bordered by Uganda to the North, DR Congo to the West, Burundi to the South and Tanzania to the East. To the outside world, it’s well known for the genocide of 1994, but it has recovered from those years of turmoil that characterised the nation in the period 1950-1994
For today, Rwanda is under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, Rwanda is peaceful, prosperous and inviting. In Rwanda are three national parks - Nyungwe Forest Park known for its large size and a vast army of chimps and monkeys; Akagera National park for game, including zebra, giraffe, antelope, buffalo; and Parc National des Volcans where Dian Fossey dedicated her life researching the celebrated gorillas.
Among its many and enduring attractions are the primates, in particular the mountain Gorillas. One of the most awesome wildlife interactions in the world.
Primates Adventure Company is the only company to take you to the gentle giants, our ancestors sharing some 97% of our character, in their natural habitat, the verdant jungle and misty mountains of Rwanda. Our primate trekking safaris, led by professional guides, provide the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Rwanda and its People.
The pygmoid hunter-gatherers are among the first in habitats of Rwanda, ancestral to the modern Twa people who comprise 0.25% of the national population. Some 2,000 years ago, agricultural and pastoralist migrants from the west settled in the area. Oral traditions recall that prior to the 15th century a ruler named Gihanga forged a centralised Rwandan state with similar roots to the Buganda and Bunyoro Empires in neighbouring Uganda. Comprised of a cattle-owning nobility and agriculturist serfdom majority - the precursors respectively of the modern-day Tutsi and Hutu - this powerful state was able to repel all early attempts at European penetration
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
MORE ABOUT THE VIRUNGA VOLCANOES - (PARC DE NATIONAL)
AN OVERVIEW OF GORILLA NEST ACCOMMODATION
Located a few metres from the main entrance of the Parc National des Volcans, with extraordinary views, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. To one side are Virunga mountains, where Dian Fossey lived a good part of her life (and where she is buried)
The Mgahinga Forest National Park covers the slopes of the three northern Virunga volcanoes and gives the park its name. The volcanic soils are full of lava rocks and the area is inhabited by more than half the world's population of Mountain Gorillas. About the same size as Bwindi, 340 square Km, Mgahinga is a high-altitude savanna woodland, with rich forests of bamboo on the slopes and dwarf heath vegetation found near the summits. The Mountain Gorillas spend most of their time in the hagenia woodlands and bamboo forests. During the rainy season when new bamboo shoots are growing, the gorillas forage at base altitude. The climb to the natural habitat of bamboo forest and Hagenia woodlands offers fantastic views.
DIAN FOSSEY
Dian Fossey is known throughout the world for her pioneering research on Gorillas and their behavior. Born in California in 1937, she saw her first wild gorillas on a trip to Africa in 1963. Later, Louis Leakey encouraged Fossey to conduct a long-term study of the animals in their natural environment.After a brief stay in the Congo, Fossey moved to Rwanda and established a research camp, Karisoke, in 1967. There, she spent years tracking Gorillas up and down the steep slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes.
It wasn't until two of her beloved gorillas, Digit and Uncle Bert, were killed in 1978 that she changed from pure scientist to active conversationist, launching an often controversial campaign against poachers. Articles in "National Geographic" magazine, television appearances, and the 1983 publication of her book "Gorillas in the Mist" (which was later made into a popular movie), focused world attention on the he Gorilla's plight, but gave her little protection from the hatred of the poachers.
Fossey was found murdered at Karisoke in 1985 and was buried in the camp's cemetery next to Digit and Uncle Bert. Her epitaph reads, "No one loved gorillas more
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