Mount Elgon Forest Reserve What’s Your Opinion about this forest reserve in Uganda? Is there anything you would wish others to know about this forest reserve? If you have anything you want to tell us about this forest in Uganda, feel free to write. It is free, I promise to keep your voice (Comment) at this page. "Just click here to start your story, comment or criticism about this forest reserve or any other forest you’ve ever visited in Uganda. ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
Mount Elgon is a massive solitary volcanic mountain on the border of eastern Uganda and western Kenya. Its vast form, eighty kilometres in diameter, rises 3070m above the surrounding plains, providing welcome relief in more than one sense of the word. Its mountainous terrain introduces variety to an otherwise monotonous regional landscape. Its cool heights offer respite for humans from the hot plains below and its higher altitudes provide a refuge for flora and fauna. Mount Elgon has been a regional landmark for a long time: this extinct volcano is one of Uganda's oldest physical features, first erupting around 20 million years ago. It was once Africa's highest mountain, towering above Kilimanjaro's 5895m. Millennia of erosion have reduced its height to 4321 m, relegating it to 4th highest peak in East Africa (and 7th on the continent). However, its 4000km2 surface area is still the largest base of any volcanic mountain worldwide. Mount Elgon Forest Reserve is a hugely important water catchment. Its forests receive up to 3000mm of rain each year, which they store and release to support flora, fauna and more than a million Ugandans.Elgon's water is equally important to many Kenyans, for Mount Elgon is bisected by the international boundary. The mountain's natural vegetation, and its role <3,S a giant biological sponge, is protected by a Mount Elgon Forest Reserve and National Park on both sides of the border. The Ugandan park, which was upgraded from a forest reserve in 1993, covers 1,11 Okm2. Though its Kenyan counterpart measures just 170km2, it is adjoined by a forest reserve and national reserve. These parks and reserves in both countries combine to form a transboundary conservation area covering 2,229km2, which have been declared Man & Biosphere Reserves under UNESCO. Flora and fauna in Mount Elgon Forest Reserve The ascent of Mount Elgon Forest Reserve passes through a series of roughly concentric vegetation zones. The lower slopes of the mountain are intensively farmed up to the park boundary. The first zone of natural vegetation is montane forest which runs from the park boundary up to 2500m. This is followed by bamboo and low canopy forest (2400 - 3000m), then high montane heath (3000 - 3500m) which includes the giant heather (Phillipea excelsia) growing up to 6m tall. Above 3500m, cold temperatures and fierce winds force the heather to give way to open moorland. Finally, above 3800m, dramatic Afroalpine vegetation is found among tussock grasslands and Carex bogs. This rare and spectacular vegetation type is restricted to the upper reaches of East Africa's highest mountains and includes the giant groundsel (Senecio elgonensis) and the endemic Lobelia elgonensis. Mount Elgon Forest Reserve supports a variety of wildlife including elephant, buffalo, Defassa's waterbuck, oribi, bushbuck, leopard and spotted hyena. However, as is usual in forest environments, most of these species are rarely seen. The most commonly seen creatures are black and white colobus, blue monkey, duiker and tree squirrel. The mountain is home to 296 birds including 40 restricted range species. Birds whose Ugandan range is limited to Mount Elgon include Jackson's francolin, moustached green tinkerbird, and black collared apalis, the Ugandan ranges of which are limited to Mount Elgon. The bronze-naped pigeon, Hartlaub's turaco and tacazze sunbird are limited to Mount Elgon and a few other mountains in eastern Uganda. Mount Elgon is also one of the few places in Uganda where the endangered Lammergeyer can be seen, soaring above the caldera and Suam gorge. Local People Mount Elgon is home to three tribes, the Bagisu, the Sabiny and the Ndorobo. The Bagisu and Sabiny are subsistence farmers and conduct circumcision ceremonies every other year to initiate young men (and in the Sabiny's case, girls) into adulthood. Traditionally, the Bagisu, also known as the BaMasaba, consider Mount Elgon to be the embodiment of their founding father Masaba, and you may hear the mountain called by this name. Local people have long depended on forest produce and have made agreements with the park to continue to harvest resources such as bamboo poles and bamboo shoots (a delicious local delicacy). Climbing the mountain Mount Elgon National Park is a roadless wilderne, park can only be explored on foot, You can also make your transboundary adventure, ascending the Ugandan slop descending on the Kenyan side (or vice versa). This n prior arrangement to meet with Kenya Wildlife Services rangers at a crossover point at the hot springs A trained ranger guide is required on all treks. Local make your hike easier, each carrying up to 18kg of sUPf addition to collecting water, cooking and preparing the food.; The best times to climb Mount Elgon are during the dry s' of June-August and December-March. No technical equipment or skills are required to reach the main peak caldera and the peaks are the main destinations, while the way, a choice of trails passes interesting and unique and fauna, waterfalls, lakes, caves, gorges and hot springs. Rain gear and both cool and warm clothing are required area is subject to sudden weather changes. You shoL take a camera, binoculars, hat, torch, wildlife guideboo insect repellant. ___________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ OTHER FOREST RESERVES IN UGANDA _______________________________________________ Rwenzori Mountain Forest Reserve Mount Elgon Forest Reserve in Uganda Kasyoha Kitomi Forest Reserve in Uganda Bugoma Forest Reserve in Uganda Kalinzu Forest Reserve in Uganda Echuya Forest Reserve in Uganda Budongo Forest Reserve in Uganda Mpanga Forest Reserve in Uganda Kibale Forest Reserve in Uganda Impenetrable Forest Reserve Bwindi N.P. in Uganda Mabira Forest Reserve in Uganda Sango Bay Forest Reserve in Uganda Maramagambo Forest Reserve in Uganda Semliki Forest Reserve in Uganda
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