Kenya National Parks
Kenya, part of East Africa, straddles the equator and covers 581,386
sq km.
The country has a very diverse geography, from the central highlands
and lakes of the Great Rift Valley to vast semi-arid bush lands,
deserts and lava flows of northern and eastern Kenya and finally
to the blue, warm waters and sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean.
Here
is a brief look at some of the highlights of this spectacular
country. Kenya has undoubtedly one of the best collections of
national parks and reserves in the world. Lions, cheetahs, leopards,
elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles and
rhinos all freely graze and hunt in the vast Kenyan savannas.
The jewel of the country’s wildlife viewing areas is the
MASAI MARA National Reserve which boasts all the big game species.
The massive wildebeest migration takes place here, and the spectacle
of more than a million of these creatures moving as a great mass
across the savannah is one of the most breathtaking sights in
nature.
• Amboseli
• Lake Baringo
• Lake Naivasha
• Lake Bogoria
• Kakamega Forest
• Kisite Marine
• MASAI MARA
• Mombasa
• Mt. Kenya
• Lake Nakuru
• Samburu
• Tsavo
• Turkana
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, lies
some 240 km (149 miles) southeast of Nairobi. The view of the
Amboseli plains, with elephants moving below the snow-capped peaks
of Africa’s highest peak, is one of the most photographed
vistas in Africa.
A
network of swamps and wetlands ensure excellent game viewing year
round. There are 425 recorded bird and 56 mammal species in the
park, including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hippo, black
rhino, Maasai giraffe, gerenuk and zebra. A photographer's paradise.
Lake Baringo
About 290 km north of Nairobi, Lake Baringo is the most northerly
of the Rift Valley Lakes. Lake Baringo is part of the Great Rift
Valley, the Earth's great scar, which in Kenya is fringed by a
string of lakes. Second only to huge Lake Turkana, Lake Baringo
is the northernmost and the largest, with 130 km². The lake
is fed by two rivers, El Molo and Ol Arabel and has no obvious
outlet.
Despite
this, it's one of only two freshwater lakes in Kenya (it is, in
fact, slightly saline, but not enough to bother the crocs, hippos
or people who swim in it). The lake is not officially ranked as
a protected area, but it is a shelter for more than 450 bird species,
which attracts bird watchers from across the globe. While you're
unlikely to see all 470 species in a short visit, there are plenty
of birds to be seen even by novice birders.
The
pale and dark phase gabar goshawk, paradise flycatcher, African
fish eagle, marabou stork, hikra and white-faced scops owl are
among some of the regular sightings, while some the less common
birds that can be seen there include Hemprich's hornbill, the
African darter and the African skimmer. The lake is well-stocked
with fish, thus attracting many pelicans, cormorants and fish
eagles. The lake is also home to a large population of crocodiles,
which have the unusual habit (according to local sources) of never
attacking people.
Lake Naivasha
At 1880 meters above sea level, Lake Naivasha is the highest of
the Rift Valley Lakes. It is one of only two freshwater lakes
in the Rift Valley, the other being Lake Baringo. Naivasha is
famous for its remarkable variety of birdlife and its hippo colonies.
The lake edge supports dense vegetation which, in turn, supports
a thriving bird population including the grey-capped
warbler,
spectacled weaver, brimstone canary and red-billed firefinch.
All told, the area has over 350 species.
There
are great day trips to do from here, including visiting Elsamere,
home of Joy Adamson. You can visit Hells Gate National Park, which
is famous for its birds of prey and unique flora that thrives
on volcanic soil, gorges, cliffs, caves and towers. The setting
is one of intense, recent volcanic activity where hot springs,
steam jets and fumaroles are common.
A
visit to Crescent Island should not be missed. It is one of the
few places in Africa where you can wander on foot among zebra,
wildebeest, gazelle and giraffe. Continuing on South Lake Road
past Elsamere, look out for emerald coloured Crater Lake. This
is one of the best places in the area to see black and white colobus
monkeys, and there is also fantastic swimming
Lake Bogoria National Reserve
Lake Bogoria is a saline water shallow located at the northern
region of the Kenyan Rift, 25 km south of Baringo. It sits on
the floor of the eastern wall of the Great Rift Valley and is
one of Kenya‘s most picturesque backdrops. The soda lake,
which covers an area of 30 sq km, is shallow, with a maximum depth
of 9 meters. Like other Kenyan soda lakes, it has no outlet and
the
intense
evaporation has led to high levels of salt and minerals. As a
result, it has no fish but is rich in blue-green algae, which
the flamingos love. Spectacular congregations of near threatened
lesser flamingoes estimated at up to 2 million birds occur at
times, and several hundred thousand birds are often present.
The
lake is still volcanically active, and the western shore is lined
with spouting geysers, rising steam and bubbling geothermal pools.
Because of the extreme temperatures, you need to be cautious--
don't be tempted to put your hands into the water if you are at
all fond of your skin!
Bogoria
National Reserve is also home to Africa’s most magnificent
antelope--the greater kudu and a host of other savannah wildlife
including the zebra, impala, Grant’s gazelle, klipspringer,
buffalo, dikdik and patas monkey among others. Predators include
the leopard, cheetah, hyena, mongoose, jackal and occasional sightings
of karakul. About 30 mammal species abound in the reserve. It
is also rich in birdlife.
Kakamega
Forest Reserve
Situated in Western Kenya, along the northeastern edge of the
Lake Victoria basin at an altitude of 1,500-1,600 meters, the
Kakamega Forest is a remnant of rainforest which once spanned
the equator from the west to east coasts of Africa. Kakamega Forest
Reserve covers an area of about 240 km2 and was established to
protect the only mid altitude tropical rainforest in Kenya, a
remnant and the eastern limit of rainforests of Zaire and West
Africa.
Its West African affinities are unique in Kenya, and the forest
contains many species found nowhere else in the country.
It
is an important conservation area, famous for its birds and butterflies.
The birdlife of the forest is a fascinating and unique combination
of central African lowland species (which dominate the list) sitting
alongside highland species.
At
least 45 species are to be found only in here. The forest also
hosts about 160 tree and shrub species, many of Congolean lowland
forest affinities, including a number of endemic plant species,
mostly ferns and orchids.
Except
for the monkeys and squirrels, large mammals are not much in evidence.
Only smaller antelope and bush pig are present. Small carnivores,
such as the Egyptian mongoose, African civet, palm civet, serval
and genet are common; some larger carnivores, including jackals,
spotted hyenas, and leopards may occasionally occur there.
There
are walking safaris through the forest, led by excellent local
guides. Night game viewing is also very interesting.
Kisite Marine National Park
The 28 square kilometer Kisite Marine National Park is located
85 kilometers south of Mombasa on the south coast, near Wasini
Island. Kisite Marine National Park is a haven for shells and
corals which are protected along with the many fish species found
within its boundary. In fact, the extensive coral gardens at Kisite
attract myriads of brightly colored coral fish. This is a spectacular
place in the Indian Ocean excellent for both
snorkeling
and scuba diving. Kisite is also home for dolphins and humpback
whales. The variety and abundance of fish is astounding.
Blue striped snappers, Ehrenburg snappers and sweet lips with
their prominent yellow coloring can be seen, along with families
of up to eighty parrot fis,h in these shallow, clear waters. Kisite
Marine National Park is easily accessed by special tourist dhows
from Wasini Island or nearby Shimoni.
MASAI
MARA National Reserve
MASAI MARA is justly known as one of the best wildlife areas in
Kenya. This 1, 672km² reserve is one of Africa's premier
wildlife destinations and boasts all the big game species. The
reason for this plentitude is that this hilly region is both humid
and fertile and is crossed by the rivers Mara and Telek, full
of crocodiles and hippos, which carry water the whole year round.
The banks of the rivers are covered in thick forest, which gradually
make
way for bush and grassland. The abundance of water and excellent
availability of food are the reasons why MASAI MARA , which is
a continuance of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, has
the greatest population of wild animals in the whole of Africa.
Here the herds of elephants browse among rich, tree studded grasslands.
Thompson's gazelles, zebra, eland and many more species of Savannah
game offer rich prey fpr the park’s many lions, cheetahs
and leopards.
The
richness of the fauna and flora and the untouched life of Africa,
continuing as it has for thousands of years, is secondary to the
Mara's annual migration of wildebeest. The spectacle of more than
a million of these creatures moving as a great mass across the
Savannah is one of the most breathtaking sights in nature. The
actual migration does not last very long, and its start is impossible
to predict accurately.
Nevertheless, visitors to MASAI MARA in August through September
are certain to see great herds of wildebeest and zebra. However,
all year round, the Mara is rich in resident wildlife, and the
combination of its gentle climate with its scenic splendor and
unbelievable wildlife make it Kenya's most popular game reserve.
The Maasai people live on the reserve's fringes and are co-owners
of the reserve, sharing in revenues from tourism.
Besides
the normal safari activities, it is also possible to go hot-air
ballooning and do walking safari in some areas, one of the finest
ways to see Africa's wildlife.
Mombasa
Mombasa is Kenya's second largest city and the oldest - with a
history that stretches back some 2,000 years. Mombasa is a mystical
mixture of the ancient and the modern with a cosmopolitan population
blending Africa, Europe, Arabia and Asia. Fringing the dhow harbor
is the old town, a maze of narrow streets and pedestrian lanes
lined with quaint shuttered houses and open-fronted shops. The
smell of spices is always present.
First
visited by a Greek explorer in the second century, Mombasa has
been a trading town for centuries. By the 14th century, it was
a major trading centre for Arabs and Chinese and a Muslim haven,
but in 1498, Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed on the shores
of Mombasa and started the first of many onslaughts. The purpose
of his exploration was to spread the Christian faith and to further
expand Portugal’s trading area.
After
initially resisting the attack, the citizens were finally forced
to give in after a tribe of cannibals, the Zimba, gained entrance
to the city by posing as anti-Portuguese mercenaries and then
commencing to eat the local population.
Mombasa
became Portugal’s main trading centre along the East Coast
of Africa. This led to the construction of a monumental fort that
still stands today known as Fort Jesus. The fort served as the
main hub for trading goods, a prison for slaves, and most importantly,
protecting the Portuguese from conflicts with locals and threatening
foreign battalions. Slavery was the major activity that took place
at that time, where local slaves were exchanged for goods from
visiting ships that often came from European countries.
The
trading of spices, cotton and coffee, which were cultivated and
grown in the rich fertile soils of the town’s farms, is
one of the reasons Mombasa was a popular destination for seafarers
at the time. Captured slaves were forced to work on these farms
in extremely harsh and inhumane conditions. Remnants of the slave
trade can still be seen today around the town. Fort Jesus still
contains cells where the slaves were held, and various artifacts
from that era can be found in the museum at the fort.
Portugal’s
reign over Mombasa lasted for approximately 200 years, after which
they were overthrown by the Omani Arabs, who themselves would
be forced to give up Mombasa to its final captors: the British.
The British ruled Kenya from 1888-1963 when Kenya finally gained
its hard-fought independence on the 12th December, 1963. Not surprisingly,
there is a strong sense of history in this languid tropical town.
A great place to begin your exploring is Old Town. Mombasa also
has shops, banks, travel agencies, restaurants and hotels, so
you can get your business done here before moving on.
The
beaches south of Mombasa are referred to as the "South Coast,"
while those stretching from Mombasa north to Kilifi are referred
to as the "North Coast". Further north lie the old and
colourful towns of Malindi and Lamu, the latter being situated
on a small island not far from the mainland. Most marine activities
are available along the Kenya coast. These include water skiing,
windsurfing, scuba driving, snorkeling and big game fishing.
Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya, at 5199 m, is the highest mountain in Kenya and the
second highest in Africa. Mount Kenya is located on the equator.
Magnificent cliffs and glaciers protect the highest peaks of Nelion
(5188m) and Batian (5199m). The third highest summit - Point Lenana,
(4985m) - is also glaciated but accessible to suitably equipped
walkers.
When
you visit Mount Kenya, you experience an absolutely unique environment,
so much so that it has been declared an International Biosphere
Reserve by UNESCO. The high altitude equatorial environment has
led to the evolution of several specially adapted species of plants,
animals and birds.
In
the 700 square kilometer park, there are 81 plant species found
only on Mt. Kenya, as well as a wide variety of wildlife.
The
entire mountain above the 3200m contour forms a national park.
In fact, the mountain consists of three principal zones; the rocky
peak area, with its cloak of glaciers and snowfields; the alpine
zone with its distinctive giant vegetation; and the vast gentle
slopes drenched in mountain forest and bamboo jungle.
Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano, 50 km in diameter at the base
that was built up by intermittent volcanic eruptions 3.1 to 2.6
million years ago. What remains now as the central peaks was the
core of the volcano, all the crater rim having been eroded away.
Originally the summit of Mount Kenya must have reached well over
6,500 meters.
There
are three different walking routes to the peak areas of Mt. Kenya:
Chogoria Route- from the road, the fastest and most spectacular
route to approach Point Lenana Naro Moru Route- the most popular
and quickest route to the south side of the mountain Sirimon Route-
offers some of the best forest walking on Mt.Kenya.
In
our itinerary we use the Sirimon Route. This route provides the
easiest and most scenic access to the northern side of the central
peaks, which include Batian, Nelion and Lenana. The track is 15
km from Nanyuki town heading towards Meru. This route has a lot
of advantages that makes it more favorable and comfortable. Accommodation
on the mountain is in roomy, two man double wall tents. You will
require a sleeping bag and mat. Warm water for washing is provided
at all campsites. A cook will prepare all meals, and these always
include fresh vegetables and fruits.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru, an alkaline lake, lies on the bed of the Great Rift
Valley. This salty, deep-green lake is home to the greatest bird
spectacle in the world - a congregation of more than a million
pink flamingos. The protected area is primarily for birds, of
which 400 to 500 species can be found here including cormorants,
pelicans and storks.
Beside
the magnificent bird life here, you will also find lions, leopards,
buffaloes, and other savannah and forest game, making game viewing
here exceedingly worth while. This park has become Kenya's premier
rhino sanctuary and is now home to both black and white rhinos,
totaling over 80 in number.
Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba National Reserves
These three adjoining reserves lie 325-km (202 miles) from Nairobi
in the hot and semi-arid fringes of the vast northern region of
Kenya. The reserves are within the lands of the colorful Samburu
tribe, relatives of the famed Maasai.
The dry grasslands interspersed with acacias are interrupted from
time to time by rich green vegetation found whenever enough water
is present, for example, on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River
(with its huge Nile crocodiles) or in marsh regions. This countryside,
dotted with volcanic peaks, offers a sanctuary to a wide variety
of animals and to some wildlife species rarely found elsewhere,
including grevy's zebra, gerenuk gazelle, beisa oryx, reticulated
giraffe and the Somali ostrich. Lions and cheetahs are uncommon,
but plenty of leopards can be sighted.
Tsavo National Park
The combined areas of Tsavo East and West National Parks makes
Tsavo one of the world's largest game sanctuaries, covering an
area of more than 20,000 sq. km (7,722 sq. miles).
Tsavo is a combination of dramatic escarpment landscapes with
the raw, untamed flavor of one of Africa's great wilderness areas.
Mzima Springs, in Tsavo East, is one of the best places to watch
crocodiles and hippos. Here, crystal clear water bubbles out of
the ground at a rate of twenty million liters a day.
Lake Turkana
Lake Turkana, formerly Lake Rudolf, lies in the Rift Valley of
East Africa. It is approximately 240 km long and 40 km wide, with
an average depth of about 35 m. Lake Turkana is a massive inland
sea, the largest desert lake in the world (6,405 sq km). It is
widely known as the Jade Sea, because of the remarkable, almost
incandescent, color of its waters. Lake Turkana has no outlet,
and the water which flows in from the
Omo
River of Ethiopia evaporates at an amazing 3-4 meters (over 10
feet) per year. The landscape is rough, and the lake's waters
can go from smooth as glass to extremely rough in a matter of
minutes.
Turkana's
fish are legendary in Kenya, with its Nile perch reaching weights
of over 800 kilograms (over 360 pounds). Tilapia is also common,
as are tiger fish, which are small puffer fish similar to those
found on coral reefs.
It also has the world's single largest crocodile population. In
Turkana, these reptiles grow to record size, with some of the
largest specimens found on remote windswept Central Island. The
lake is a source of life for some of Kenya's most remote tribes.
The Turkana, with ancestral ties to Uganda, live a semi-nomadic
existence around the lake. The country's smallest tribe, the El
Molo, live a hunter-gatherer existence in villages of distinctive
rounded reed huts on the shores of the lake.
Tanzania
National Parks
• Lake Manyara National Park
• Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Serengeti National Park
Tanzania is one of the many enthralling destinations on the African
continent that has yet to be discovered by many. It is a land
of many wonders with an un-paralleled diversity of fauna and flora.
Tanzania
stretches from volcanoes in the crater highlands along the Great
Rift Valley to the tropical Indian Ocean, home to the spice islands
of Zanzibar. Stand in awe as over two million herbivores cross
the Serengeti grassland the size of the Netherlands.
Marvel at Eden-like Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest
unbroken caldera. Gaze at snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro which
towers over Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya. Take
in Lake Victoria sparklings in the far north and Lake Tanganyika
which forms a watery western border with Zaire and Zambia.
Tanzania
has an exceptionally diverse population of over 30 million people,
consisting of 120 tribal groupings. The scenery, topography and
very friendly people harbor the growth of excellent cultural tourism:
beach holidays, game hunting, historical and archaeological ventures
– and certainly one of the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Lake Manyara National Park
Manyara National Park is located about 130 kilometers from Arusha
town, between the Great Rift Valley's cliff escarpment and the
shallow alkaline lake, Lake Manyara. The lake attracts considerable
birdlife, and its surrounding terrain contains such a rich mosaic
of different habitats that it supports a large number of animals.
This park is famous for tree-climbing lions and huge variety of
birds especially flamingos.
Wild
animals include giraffes that have a darker color than other giraffes
in Tanzania, monkeys, antelopes, zebras, crocodiles, buffalo and
a high density of elephants. At the entrance, there is a hippo
pool that will surely capture your attention. It is also a bird-watcher’s
paradise with over 350 species including flamingo, stork, pelican,
sacred ibis, cormorant and Egyptian goose.
Mt.
Kilimanjaro
Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. Climbing Kilimanjaro
is a must-do challenge for almost every trekker and mountaineer
in the world.
Mount Kilimanjaro lies on the border of Tanzania and Kenya, just
south of the Equator. It was formed 750, 000 years ago and is
made up of three extinct volcanoes – Kibo (5 895m), Mawenzi
(5 149m) and the Shira Plateau (3 962m). Kibo is the best preserved
centre;
it has three concentric craters and the outer crater rim rises
to Uhuru Point – the chief summit.
Mount Kilimanjaro is divided into five distinct zones, starting
with cultivated farmlands on the lowest levels. Higher up is the
rainforest zone, followed by heath and moorland with alpine vegetation.
Just before the barren, snowy summit is highland desert.
The
climate and animal life is dependent on the zone, with elephant,
buffalo, rhino, leopard, monkey and a variety of birdlife being
plentiful in the lower zones. Lying just south of the equator,
Kilimanjaro is affected by the passage of the Intertropical Convergence
Zone, which brings with it the main rainy periods. The highest
rainfall occurs between mid March and early May, and slightly
less between the beginning of November and late December. Rain
and, higher up, snow, can be encountered at any time of year –
even in the driest periods (January, February and September).
Temperatures vary considerably with height and time of day. On
the plains surrounding Kilimanjaro the average temperature is
about 30sC. At 3000 m, frosts can be encountered at night while
day time temperatures
range from 5 to 15 C. Night time temperatures on the summit can
be well below freezing.
Mt. Kilimanjaro - the Marangu or main route
is by far the most popular way up Kilimanjaro. We use this route
in our itinerary.
The
forest is very beautiful and Maundi Crater is worth a visit just
for the flowers and scenery. There are wonderful views of Kibo
and Mawenzi. From the summit glaciers, screes, cliffs, afro-alpine
moorland then forests lead down to the cultivated foothills. The
Marangu route takes you at a gentle pace through these dramatically
different zones.
It generally takes five or six days for the round trip. The schedule,
trails and accommodation are designed to allow visitors to acclimate
gradually. An extra day at Horombo, Mawenzi or Kibo Huts is recommended
to allow even more time to get used to the altitude. All huts
on the route are manned and in radio contact with the Park Headquarters
at Marangu.
Huts
on the Marangu route:
Mandara
Hut - 2700 m.
This is a group of comfortable, wooden A-frame huts. The largest
cabin has a downstairs dining area and an upstairs dormitory with
bunk beds and mattresses; smaller huts sleep 8 each. The total
capacity is 60. Water is piped into the site from springs above
and flush toilets are behind the main cabin.
Horombo
Hut - 3720 m.
The buildings are similar to Mandara, but the total capacity is
120. Water is piped in from the stream behind the huts. Do not
use this stream or its valley as a waste disposal area. There
are platform toilets south-east of main hut and new flush toilets
have been built within the complex of small huts.
Kibo
Hut - 4700 m.
This stone built block house with a small dining-room and a number
of dormitory rooms leading off a main corridor has bunk beds and
mattresses for 60 people. There is no water, so bring an adequate
supply from the 'Last Water' stream above Horombo Hut. Platform
toilets are behind the hut.
Distances:
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut: 3-4 hrs
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut: 5-7 hrs
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut: 5-6 hrs
Kibo Hut to Gillman's Point: 5-6 hrs
Gillman's Point to Uhuru Peak: 1-2 hrs
Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Crater, 20km (12.4mi)-wide, 600m (1968ft) deep, is
the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. Covering a mere
260km² it is home to a permanent population of more than
30,000 animals. You will see lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and
many of the plains herbivores such as wildebeest, Thomson's gazelle,
zebra and reedbuck, as well as thousands of flamingo wading in
the shallows of Lake Magadi, the soda lake on
the floor of the crater.
Maasai tribesman have grazing rights in Ngorongoro Conservation
Area, so it is not unusual to see Maasai cattle and buffalo grazing
together, with a lion kill just a few hundred meters away. There
are around 100 lions in the crater and about 20 black rhino. The
spectacular Lerai Forest is one of the best places in Africa to
spot leopard.
Nights
on the crater rim (2 400m), where the lodges are, can get icy
cold.
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti, which sprawls across 14,763 sq km (5757 sq mi),
is Tanzania's most famous game park. Here are 35 species of plains
dwelling animals, including wildebeest and zebra, which feature
in the spectacular Serengeti migration. There is also an extensive
selection of bird life. Serengeti is also famous for its lion,
cheetah and giraffe populations. It is one of the most incredible
wildlife sights you will ever encounter.
SERENGETI:
THE GREAT MIGRATION
The migration traditionally follows the rains to take advantage
of the new grasses on the plains of the Serengeti and MASAI MARA
. Theoretically, if traditional weather patterns occur annually,
the following provides a basic idea of how the migration moves
throughout the year:
Late December / early January – Ndutu region, Tanzania.
Traditionally, this is when the calves are born. The migration
remains passive until April when the calves are strong enough
to start moving north.
Early
April / May / June – Serengeti, Tanzania.
The migration begins moving north-west following the long rains
across the Serengeti plains towards the western corridor and the
Grumeti River.
June
/ July – Western corridor, Tanzania.
The animals gather in the western corridor.
August
/September – MASAI MARA , Kenya
The migration crosses the Grumeti River and moves north-east into
the northern steppes of MASAI MARA .
October
/ November / Early December – MASAI MARA , Kenya/Northern
Tanzania / Serengeti.
As the short rains begin in northern Tanzania, the migration begins
to move south back into the Klein’s/Lobo region of the Serengeti.
From here, they follow the rains through to Seronera and end up
at Ndutu for the calving season. As the migration follows the
rains, there is no hard and fast rule as to where the animals
will be, and when.
Often,
the animals split into two groups as they move, resulting in one
group moving on the western side and another group moving on the
eastern side of the Serengeti, finally meeting up at Ndutu or
in the Mara. Viewing of the migration can therefore not be guaranteed.
Uganda National Parks
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Mt. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
More than half of the mountain gorilla population is found in
Uganda! You have two places in Uganda where you can find the mountain
gorilla: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla
National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in Southwestern Uganda,
next to the Congo border and covers 331 km². The wide altitude
ranges from 1160 m to 2607 m. Bwindi's Impenetrable Forest is
true African jungle. It is so called because the dense undergrowth,
vines and other vegetation make it almost 'impenetrable'. It's
mysterious and awesome. Huge trees are festooned with creepers
and parasitic plants
such
as mistletoe and orchids. Giant thickets of bamboo thrive in the
humid atmosphere, and where sunlight breaks through, the elegant
heliconia, or lobster claw, spreads its colorful petals.
As
you walk among the shadows of the leafy canopy, this rainforest
reveals the smells and sounds of Africa, just as it has for centuries.
Here, in Bwindi Impenetrable, your guide will take you along river
trails with delightful waterfalls, up steep slopes and into forest
clearings in search of an enormous array of reserved, exquisite
and exciting jungle creatures that live in this deep forest. There
are at least 120 species of mammals in one of the richest ecosystems
in Africa including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and 8 other
species of primates.
This
forest is a sanctuary for almost half the world's population of
mountain gorillas (about 330 of 600), which is the rarest race
of gorilla. Established as a safe habitat for several families
of mountain gorillas, it is now the location of an important scientific
conservation programme. The mountain gorillas, with 2 habituated
groups for tourism, (Mubare group, 16 gorillas and Habinyanja
group, 23 gorillas) are the big attraction.
The hiking times of the trails vary from 15 minutes to 6 hours.
Please note that due to the limited number of visitors allowed
access to the gorillas at any one time, it may not be possible
to view the primates on the dates that you wish. Eyes on Africa
will do our best to accommodate.
Mt. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mt. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the famous Virunga
Volcano Chain and Conservation Area (high altitude 2227m - 4127m)
divided between Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Mgahinga Gorilla Park,
gazetted in 1991, covers an area of 33.7km2. It includes parts
of Muhavura, Mgahinga and Sabino Volcanic Mountains. The summit
of Muhavura has a small crater lake and forms the highest point
(4127m) in the Park.
The
summit areas are dominated by wort and dwarf heath vegetation.
This emerges into bamboo and broad leaved montane forest, down
the mountains. The lower slopes have high altitude savannah woodland
with lots of lichens and mosses. The park has 79 bird’s
species, 90 species of mammals and about 30 gorillas.
The
gorillas move freely in the Virunga Mountains (crossing borders),
and there is only one gorilla group (Nyakagezi) with 10 family
gorillas that are habituated to human presence. In Ugandan territory,
the troop will remain several months when gorilla trekking is
then possible. Gorilla permits are refunded if the gorillas are
not in the park. You have 7 hiking trails with hiking times going
from 30 minutes to 8 hours.
Gorilla
trekking is a strenuous activity and should be undertaken only
by the physically fit. Expect to walk a long distance in steep
and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you
encounter any gorillas. Don't underestimate the altitude in Mgahinga!
For
conservation purposes, the time spent with the gorillas is limited
to one hour, and the number of daily visitors is restricted. Only
six visitors shall track each group of gorillas a day. A ranger
guide will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas. For this
magical activity, you will need good walking shoes, a long-sleeved
shirt, long trousers/pants and a waterproof jacket.
We advise you also to carry gloves and a waterproof daypack to
hold camera, binoculars, film and batteries. Flash photography
is forbidden, so you will need a high ASA film. It is advisable
to make reservations at least 3 months before your intended date
of visit.
Please
note that due to the limited number of visitors allowed access
to the gorillas at any one time, it may not be possible to view
the primates on the dates that you wish. Eyes on Africa will do
our best to accommodate.
