Mountain sights in Africa
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Simien Mountains National Park
The Simien Mountains National Park is easily accessible and excellent for trekking, with stirring views and a large variety of wildlife. The mountains are home to three of Ethiopia's larger endemic mammals: the walia ibex, the gelada baboon and the elusive Ethiopian wolf. Other mammals sometimes seen are rock hyraxes, jackals, bushbucks and klipspringers.
Endemic bird species include the commonly seen thick-billed raven, and the less common black-headed siskin, white-collared pigeon, white-billed starling, wattled ibis, spot-breasted plover, white-backed black tit and Ankober seedeater or serin. Although common, one of the most memorable sights (and sounds!) is the huge…
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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Also known as the Impenetrable Forest, Bwindi is one of Uganda's most recently created national parks. The park, which covers 331 sq km, encompasses one of the last remaining habitats of the mountain gorilla, and is where almost half - an estimated 330 individuals - of the surviving mountain gorillas in the world live.
A major conservation effort has been going on here for a number of years to protect the gorillas' habitat. Gorillas are not the only animals to have benefited from this project. The park contains about 20 forest elephants, at least 10 species of primate (including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and baboons), duikers, bushbucks and the rare giant forest hog,…
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Mt Mulanje
Mt Mulanje (also called the Mulanje Plateau) rises steeply from the undulating plain of the highlands, surrounded by near-vertical cliffs of bare rock, many over 1000m (3280ft) high. The cliffs are dissected by vegetated valleys, where rivers drop in spectacular waterfalls.
It is often misty here and Mulanje's high peaks sometimes jut above the cloud, giving rise to the local name 'Island in the Sky'.
This is one of the finest areas for hiking in this part of Africa. There are clear paths up the mountain, several huts and stunning scenery. Up on the plateaus there are clear mountain streams (safe for drinking) and swimming holes where you can cool off in the icy water.…
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Lion Mountain
Overlooking Vieux Grand Port is Lion Mountain (480m/1575ft), immediately recognisable by its sphinx-like profile. The mountain offers a splendid half-day hike with stunning views over the coast. It's a very challenging but rewarding walk that climbs up the lion's 'back' to finish at an impressive viewpoint on its 'head'.
The trail begins beside the police station at the north end of Vieux Grand Port. From there, a 4WD track heads inland through the sugar cane; turn right at the first junction and follow the trail up towards the ridge. A set of concrete steps begins on the right just after you reach the start of the forested area. The steps lead to a bunker, from where a…
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Mt Bintumani
Loma Mansa, as Sierra Leone's highest peak is also known, rises 1945m (6380ft). In clear weather, views from the summit are excellent. The Loma Mountains Forest Reserve protects the highland rainforest covering the lower slopes. There are several species of monkey here and you have a fair chance of seeing elephants and bongos as you approach the mountain.
In the rivers, you may be lucky enough to see pygmy hippopotamuses, dwarf crocodiles and rufous fishing-owls; all endangered species. Above 1500m (4920ft) the forest gives way to grassland where you can spot baboons, wart hogs, duikers, porcupines and even buffaloes.
The most scenic and wildlife-rich approach to the…
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Mt Nimba
Mount Nimba, Guinea's highest peak at 1752m (5748ft), is part of the mountain range straddling Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia. The summit, best reached from the village of Gbakoré, 18km (11mi) southeast of Lola, offers phenomenal views of surrounding peaks in all three countries.
It's a steep, winding four-hour trek to the top, a guide is mandatory and a permit is required.
There are several good guides for hire in Gbakoré and you should let your guide get your permit for you because this can be a real pain.
The Nimba mountains host a rich variety of plant and animal life, in particular some notable amphibians such as the goliath frogs, which can weigh as much as…
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Thaba-Bosiu
Thaba-Bosiu is the evocative mountain stronghold of Moshoeshoe the Great, who first occupied the place in 1824. Good views from here include those of the Qiloane pinnacle (inspiration for the Basotho hat), along with the remains of fortifications, Moshoeshoe's grave, and parts of the original settlement.
Thaba-Bosiu means Mountain at Night, perhaps a memory of when the sight was first occupied. Another legend suggests that Thaba-Bosiu is a hill in daylight, but transformed into a mountain after dark. There's an information centre at the base of Thaba-Bosiu; an official guide will take you to the summit.
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Mt Ntingui
It's a hard and steep climb from Lac Dzialandzé up to the normally cloud-covered summit of 1595m (5231ft) Mt Ntingui, the highest point on Anjouan. On a rare clear day, it affords a view over all four islands of the archipelago.
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