Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Where Gold meets Silver: Magahinga NP

Magahinga National Park ... a park in the far south of Uganda that is called the Virungas in Congo and Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda. The slopes are of three vegetation types ... thick forest, bamboo and alpine. Silverback mountain gorillas share the forest with Golden monkeys ...




Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey.

As well as being important for wildlife, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivalled.

Mgahinga’s most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey.
As well as being important for wildlife, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivalled.
Mgahinga’s most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery. - See more at: http://www.ugandawildlife.org/explore-our-parks/parks-by-name-a-z/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park#sthash.v5jMqgxj.dpuf
And here are some snaps of the Golden Monkey ... It took us a good 4hrs to find them, making the day about a 6hr hike and one hour viewing.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey.
As well as being important for wildlife, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivalled.
Mgahinga’s most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery. - See more at: http://www.ugandawildlife.org/explore-our-parks/parks-by-name-a-z/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park#sthash.v5jMqgxj.dpuf










Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey.
As well as being important for wildlife, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivalled.
Mgahinga’s most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery. - See more at: http://www.ugandawildlife.org/explore-our-parks/parks-by-name-a-z/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park#sthash.v5jMqgxj.dpuf
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey.
As well as being important for wildlife, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivalled.
Mgahinga’s most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery. - See more at: http://www.ugandawildlife.org/explore-our-parks/parks-by-name-a-z/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park#sthash.v5jMqgxj.dpuf

Monday, December 7, 2015

Gahinga: The Volcano with the swamp

On the same adventure trekking in June 2015 I set off to climb the three volcanoes in Magahinga National Park as well as to see the Golden Monkeys, the Batwa People and go birding in the Sabinyo Gorge.

  I managed two of the three volcanoes .. Muhuabura evaded me as my knees were so painful from the downward slog of the other two I thought I would save it till another time. .. So if someone wants to persuade me to do more climbing .... I'm fed up of travelling alone!

It would be great to climb all of them ....


 Gahinga at 3,474m


 Gahinga and Muhabura (4,127m) on the walk to the foot of Gahinga

 On the way up Gahinga, Sabinyo behind. The other peaks were also visible but I was not able to get a clear photo. Visoke, Karisimbi,  Mikeno

 In the bamboo forests on the lower slopes. Lots of evidence of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and elephant.


 Ladders were set in the steeper bits but were very rickety

 Just about to summit!

 The beautiful swamp at the top!



Muhubura tipping the sky



The swamp on top of Gahinga



There are two forest elephants below me, not able to be seen in the photo as the bush was too thick!

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Sabinyo: A volcano like an old man's teeth

Sabinyo was a steep, hard climb ... sadly we didn't have the best weather (although no rain) so our summit to the third peak was obscured by cloud. There were three of us signed up for the hike, myself, Alex from NYC and a lovely lady from Spain.

The evening before ... the three peaks of Sabinyo lie behind me. The third peak is shared by Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.

Morning sunlight through the trees at the meet point

These small huts serve as shelter if it is pouring with rain

In the bamboo forests

The lower slopes are reclaimed farmlands and are grouing back



Looking down on the view of Sabinyo Gorge

The amazing forests ... where we saw some pretty special birds!

You can tell by the angle of the trees how steep the climb is

Lichens hand from the trees showing that often it is wet.

Steep hills ... but climbing light

The gorge to the right is Sabinyo Gorge which I also hiked


Alex and lunch!


It was a false summit from 1st peak to 2nd peak ...

At the top here is second peak


And at the top of that is 3rd peak!

A very steep climb, sometimes on hands and knees to the third peak. There were ladders.




Alex worn out ... back at second peak