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

Mount Meru at 4,565, meters in altitude is the second highest mountain in Tanzania. The mountain lies to the west side of Arusha National Park. There is a road that leads up the mountain from Momella to about 2,439 mts.The climb takes about 2-3 days, passing through changing vegetation. Snow is not unknown at the top. The last section of the walk to the summit is very steep.

Location

Oldoinyo Lengai is a volcano in the Eastern Rift Valley, North Tanzania. Its name means ‘Mountain of God’ in the language of the Masai people.
Oldoinyo Lengai is of particular interest to geologists because it is the world’s only active volcano that erupts natrocarbonatite lava. It is also the only active volcano in this part of the East African Rift Valley, though there are many older extinct volcanoes in this region. Oldoinyo Lengai rises about 2000 metres above the Rift Valley floor to a height of approximately 2886 metres.

Location

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain at 5,895m, only 3 degrees south of the Equator, yet crowned with a permanent icecap. The National Park covers an area of 1,864 sq. kms extending from 1,824m to the summit at 5,895m.
Often the only visible sign of the mountain is the great, snow-mantled shoulder of Kibo and rugged crags of Mawenzi thrusting through a ring of cloud.
At lower altitudes the park consists of mountain rain forest, giving way to scrub then alpine moorland and finally glaciers. On the moorland are found the extraordinary giant groundsel and lobelias that have seemingly evolved in response to freezing cold at night and hot tropical sun by day. Game includes eland, colobus and blue monkeys and the rare Harvey's and Abbott's duiker.

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.

Location

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, although the smallest in the country (about 38 sq km), is very important, as it is one of the two parks in Uganda that are habitats for the endangered mountain gorillas.
Situated in Kisoro District, southwestern Uganda, this park was gazetted in 1991 and is part of the great Virunga Conservation Area. It adjoins Rwanda’s Volcano and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Parks. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park experiences two wet seasons; February – May and September – December. The maximum amount of rainfall in a year is 250mm (October) and minimum is 10mm (July).
The Local People: Kisoro District is highly populated (331 persons per sq km). The Bafumbira, who lead a simple life-style mainly as cultivators, are the major ethnic group. The park is a Protected Area under Uganda Wildlife Authority, which allows the local people to have controlled and sustainable access to selected resources. The majority of the staff is from the community surrounding the park. In accordance with the law establishing Uganda Wildlife Authority, the community receives 20% of the park entrance fees for their development projects.

Ecosystem and Wildlife: Being a mountainous area, the park vegetation is afromontane within a cool climate. The abundant type of vegetation is the bamboo (60%), which is a delicacy to the mountain gorilla. Other types of flora include the Lobelia, Haegenia, etc. Animals found in the park include: the mountain gorillas, buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, the threatened golden monkeys and many others. Examples of bird species include: Rwenzori turacco, crowned hornbill, black kite and crane.

Volcano Climbing: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers three extinct volcanoes for physically fit hikers although they do not require special mountaineering gear . the 3 volcanoes are Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhavura.

Mt. Sabinyo (3669m) “Old man’s teeth”: This volcano offers 3 challenging peaks to climb. A climb up to the mountain takes one up to a ridge along the eastern side of the mountain to peak 1. if you are to continue, the climb to peak 2 involves walking a ridge with breath-taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda. Finally, the hike up to peak 3 is steep. You should expect to get your hands dirty en-route to peak 3. Once on top, you will be at a point in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda at the same time. The journey takes about 8 hours round trip to cover the 14km stretch.

Mt. Gahinga (3474m) ‘Small pile of stones’: On your way to the park, look out for small piles of stones in the garden fields. The local people call such a pile a ‘Gahinga’. Mount Gahinga is quite bigger than the average ‘Gahinga’ but sitting next to Mount Muhavura does make it look small. A hike which takes you about 6 hours round trip, goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo forest. Gahinga once had a Crater Lake on top but over time it has changed into a lush swamp.

Mt. Muhavura (4127m) ‘The Guide’: Seen from all over Kisoro, this volcano acts as a guide. The typical cone-shaped mountain provides some of the best views in the country. Much of the climb passes a rocky surface covered by grass and small shrubs. Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with the view of the other Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the peaks of Rwenzori Mountains. The hike takes approximately 8 hours round trip covering 12km. You are advised to camp at Muhavura base camp the night before. The camp site has no facilities so you need a tent, water, food and sleeping gear.

Garama Cave: This is one of the caves where the Batwa (who were warriors) once lived and fought their neighbours, the Bantu. The distance to the cave entrance from the park headquarters is 3km long and it takes about 4 hours (return journey). The ranger guide will show you how the Batwa lived and fought out the cave. The cave is 342m in length and 14m deep and is now inhabited mainly by bats.

Gorilla Tracking: This is the most exciting and unforgettable experience, which might take one through a thick jungle. One gorilla group (Nyakigezi) is currently habituated and available for tourists. It consists of 11 members; 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 4 juveniles and 2 infants. Get updates from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Headquarters or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park office in Kisoro or visit UWA website at www.uwa.or.ug. Book at least three months (but not more than two years) in advance to ensure that requested dates are available. The tracking experience starts at 8.30 am local time and can take three to eight hours. Registration at the gate commences at 7.45 am. Gorilla tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is thrilling but may be challenging, therefore ensure physical fitness.

Bird Watching: Birding along the edge of the park is available on request. The guides will take you out from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, if you book by 10.00 am that morning. A stroll along the buffalo wall towards Democratic Republic of Congo takes you through a wetland area where Ibis, speckled moosebird and fire finch are found. Stone chart, grey capped warbler, waxbills and yellow-vented bulbul are always seen around the campground. Ask your guide where the best spots are. Feel free to take your time and go at your own pace. Do not forget your binoculars.

Viewing Platform: This is about 800 metres from the park gate. Once on top, you will have a good view of the park and the surrounding areas. A guide is not necessary and the activity is free. Display panels at the hill point will give information about what you can see.

Access: Kisoro is about 540 km from Kampala and it takes about 8 hours via Kabale. For those without private transport, there are daily transport services, which set off at 7.00 am at the Kampala Bus Terminal. Once in Kisoro town, you can hike or take a special hire vehicle to the gate park, which is 13_ km from Kisoro town. It is also possible to fly to Kisoro. Flights can be arranged with Eagle Air, which has flights on Mondays and Fridays from Entebbe to Kisoro or contact other domestic airlines.

Location

The Loita Hills border the Western edge of the Great Rift Valley, above and to the west of the soda lake, Magadi, and to the east of Narok area. The hills are populated by the Masai people.

Location

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is 8,920 kilometres squared and is situated between Arusha and the Serengeti, with the Ngorongoro Crater at its heart.

The floor of the Crater, a vast natural amphitheatre, teems with game - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, wildebeest, zebra and gazelle share the base of this collapsed volcano with Masai tribesmen, permitted to graze their cattle on the Crater floor by day but no longer allowed to inhabit the Crater. Birds hover and dart, with thousands of flamingo casting a pink haze over the lake on the Crater floor.

The Gol Mountains are an ancient and rugged formation rising to the north west of the Ngorongoro Crater highlands. They straddle the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Maasai village areas, they are divided by the valley of Angata Kiti which leads to the Salei Plains.The sheer walls of Ol Karien Gorge in the Gol Mountains provide rainy-season breeding sites for hundreds of Ruppell's Griffon Vultures. In the dry season it is a crucial water source for Maasai and their livestock.
The Shifting Sands, North of Oldupai Gorge, where a long, black sand dune is driven across the plains by the prevailing easterly winds. It moves an average of 17m a year. It has important religious significance to the local Maasai.
The huge monolith of Nasera Rock stands 80 metres high and towers over the surrounding short grass plains west of the Gol Mountains. There is evidence of prehistoric man sheltering here for thousands of years.

Location

Mt Elgon is a mountain park that covers an area of 169 kilometres squared and rises to 3900 metres above sea level. It is situated 26 kilometres from Kitale off the Endebess tarmac road.
The mountain straddles the Kenya Uganda border.

The park includes a variety of habitats ranging from savannah woodland and mountain forest to alpine moorlands. The forests include giant Podo trees, juniper and Elgon olive.