Location

Extending for 1,000 square kilometres across the majestic hills of southeast Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is the largest block of montane forest in East or Central Africa, and one of the most ancient, dating back to before the last Ice Age. A uniquely rich centre of floral diversity, the forest has more than 200 different types of tree, and a myriad of flowering plants including the other-worldly giant lobelia and a host of colourful orchids.

Nyungwe is most alluring for its primates:13 species in all, includin the chimpanzee, as well as the handsome L’Hoest’s monkey and hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola colobus.

The most important ornithological site in Rwanda, Nyungwe harbours almost 300 bird species of which two dozen are restricted to a handful of montane forests on the Albertine Rift. The avian highlight of Nyungwe is the great blue turaco - an outlandish blue, red and green bird which streams from tree to tree like a procession of streamlined psychedelic turkeys.
 

Location

Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, the Parc des Volcans protects the steep slopes of this magnificent Virunga mountain range - home of the rare mountain gorilla - and the rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.
An exhilarating trek through the cultivated foothills of the Virungas offers stirring views in all directions. Then, abruptly, the trail enters the national park, immersing trekkers in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, and littered with fresh spoor of the mountains’ elusive populations of buffalo and elephant. Through gaps in the forest canopy, the magnificent peaks are glimpsed, easily accessible and among the highest in Africa, beckoning an ascent.

The bustling market town of Ruhengeri has a memorable setting at the base of the Virungas. On the outskirts of town, the natural bridge at Musanze - a solidified lava flow - is a fascinating relic of the volcanic activity that shaped this scenic area. Also within easy day tripping distance of Ruhengeri are the seldom visited but lovely Lakes Burera, Ruhondo and Karago. Ruhengeri offers a good selection of reasonably-priced small hotels and guest houses. Visitors could also base themselves in Gisenyi or Kigali and - with an early start - head to the Parc des Volcans and Ruhengeri as a day trip

Location

Ngamba Island is part of the Koome group of islands located in Lake Victoria. It is approximately 23 km south-east of Entebbe. It consists of approximately 100 acres, of which 98 acres is forested and separated from the human camp by an electric fence. The northern part of the island is generally flat, rising gently to an altitude of approximately 3800 feet above sea level to the south. The island is largely forested with gaps of grassland covering approximately 10% of the island.

The Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established in October 1998 to care for orphaned chimpanzees that have been rescued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority from poachers and/or traders, with no chance of survival back to the wild.

The northern part of the island used to be inhabited by a local fishing community. The community had cleared approximately 2 acres of forest and selectively logged large trees from the more proximal parts of the forest. One acre of this area is now used as camp quarters for staff and researchers, whilst the remaining area, located between the forest and the viewing platform is where the chimpanzees are fed during the day.

Ngamba Island provides an excellent secondary forest habitat for the chimpanzees and other wildlife species including fruit bats, spiders, fish eagles, hippos (the only three in the area), otters, a crocodile(!) and monitor lizards.

Location

Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is located in the Kwale District of Kenya's Coastal Province, and is a mere 45 kilometers southwest of Mombasa. The sanctuary has an area of 36 km², and it, along with the adjacent Shimba Hills National Reserve combine to form the Shimba Hills
Ecosystem.

Mwaluganje is characterised by rolling hills, steep ridges, cliffs and winding water shades. A forested area of approximately 23,736 hectares, comprising of Shimba forest, Mkongani West, Mkongani North, and Mwaluganje forest, also surrounds it. The Mwaluganje forest is part of the current sanctuary.

The ecological attractions in Mwaluganje are diverse with scenic beauty such as the great natural forests, awe-inspiring cliffs and the views of the Indian Ocean. Other natural attractions are "God's Bridge," "Time Rock" and the traditional shrine that characterizes the sacredness of the community.

The sanctuary was created in 1993 to conserve the serene surroundings, which house the rare and endangered African elephants, moist deciduous forest, riparian vegetation, and other special attractions available in the ecosystem.

Mount Nyiru is located in the remote northern regions of Kenya, to the south of Lake Tukurna. It rises steeply from the dry bush country to a top covered with cedar forests and small streams. There is a popular 2-3 hour climb up the western slope from Tuum, the small, seldom-visited village tucked into the western base.

Location

The Matthew's Range, also known as the Lenkiyio Hills, are a long mountain range in the north of Kenya that form part of the Rift Valley wall. They rise out of the dry scrub country between Lake Turkana in the north and Samburu in the south. Rising to a height of 7790ft ( 2370 Mts.).

They are capped with cedar (juniper) forests with numerous cycads, and give rise to numerous small streams, that give life to the dry country at the base. Part of the mountain range has been designated a wildlife sanctuary.

The Cherangani Hills are situated in Northwestern Kenya, on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, overlooking the Lake Turkana Basin. The hills are home ot the Pokot people.
The bird life here is spectacular, there is execllent trekking and walking and the streams offer some trout fishing.

ringa is an important farming center on the main Tanzania- Zambia road. Maize, vegetables, fruit and tobacco are grown in the area. The town is set on a plateau commanding a panoramic view over the surrounding countryside., and has a pleasant climate.

Location

Budongo Forest covers an area of 793 km, of which only 53% is forest and the remaining 47% is grassland. Budongo has a high biodiversity with a huge variety of flora and fauna including small mammals, birds and insects.

Tourist sites include Kaniyo-Pabidi and Busingiro, both of which are part of the Budongo Forest Reserve. An eco tourist project was set up in 1993 and opened to the public in 1994 for chimpanzee viewing at both sites.

The terrain is flat allowing for good on-foot travelling conditions for the average tourist. The campsite itself is located on the edge of the chimpanzees’ home range, significantly diminishing the risk of long trekking excursions before contact is made with the group. The habitat consists of primary forest with medium understory vegetation-density allowing for good visibility of the canopy (and thus of the chimpanzees) and the presence of savanna and grassland areas neighbouring the primary forest present an interesting opportunity for viewing of different ecosystems. In addition, there is an extensive and well-maintained trail system (115 km in total) which further facilitates visitor accessibility.

Location

The Arabuko Sokoke reserve covers 41,765 hectares of land near the coastal towns of Malindi and Watamu and is about 75 km from Mombasa. It is the last large remnant of coastal tropical forests that once spread across the continent from west to east.

The reserve is an important habitat for several endemic and endangered birds, insects and mammal species. The forest is host to various sustainable projects that enable the local people to benefit, including harvesting butterfly pupae for sale and bee keeping.