Norfolk Island National Park : NORFOLK ISLAND Travel Tourism World Heritage Hotel

Norfolk Island National Park : NORFOLK ISLAND

Norfolk Island National Park is a protected area of 6.5 square km. It is made up of two sections: the Mt. Pitt section on Norfolk Island in the South Pacific Ocean, with an area of 4.6 square km, and the neighboring 1.9-square-km Phillip Island, plus the much smaller Nepean Island. The Norfolk Island group is an Australian territory. It is the only place in the world where the Norfolk Island Parakeet and the White-chested White-eye occur. Norfolk Island National Park welcomes visitors to explore its stunning scenery and rich diversity of bird life. From bushwalks beneath the planet's tallest tree ferns to barbecues overlooking spectacular ocean cliffs, there is something for everyone. As well as protecting rare native species such as the endangered green parrot and Norfolk pine, the park is a major drawcard for visitors, and makes a significant contribution to the island's tourism industry. Norfolk Island is located in the south-west Pacific Ocean, approximately 1700 km east of Sydney and 1100 kilometres north-west of Auckland. Norfolk Island National Park covers 650 hectares, divided between the Mount Pitt Section on Norfolk Island and the entire neighbouring Phillip Island. Norfolk Island Botanic Garden covers 5.5 hectares and is located adjacent to the Mount Pitt Section of the Park.The Norfolk Island group provides an important link between tropical and temperate oceanic island environments. Their remote location, coupled with colonisation by plants and animals dispersed over vast distances of ocean, means that they are important for their value as habitats for endemic species, habitats and breeding areas for species with limited distribution and migratory species including large colonies of breeding seabirds, and for their unique vegetation. Norfolk and Phillip Islands are almost completely volcanic in origin, arising from the Pacific Ocean roughly 2.3-3 million years ago as masses of hot basalt. They form the highest point of the submerged Norfolk Ridge which stretches from New Zealand to New Caledonia. The Islands feature a range of dramatic landscapes, including the subtropical and viney hardwood forests of the Park and Botanic Garden, the green rolling plains of the Kingston settlement, spectacular coastal cliffs and skylines dominated by majestic Norfolk Island pines. Norfolk Island National Park is a protected area of 6.50 km². It comprises two sections, the Mt Pitt section on Norfolk Island in the South Pacific Ocean with an area of 4.60 km² and the neighbouring 1.90 km² Phillip Island, as well as the much smaller Nepean Island. The Norfolk Island group is an Australian territory and the park is managed by Parks Australia. It is the only place in the world where the Norfolk Island Parakeet and the White-chested White-eye occur.







Visitors can experience natural Norfolk Island on the walking tracks and roads of the Norfolk Island National Park. The National Park has nine signposted walking tracks which vary in terms of distance, difficulty and the types of scenery. Walks wind through lush palm forests and stands of Norfolk Island pine, and some lead visitors to remarkable views of the island and the surrounding ocean. Norfolk Island's flora and fauna are quite unique, with more than 40 different kinds of plants and animals that are not found anywhere else. Hear the distinctive 'kek-kek-kek' call of the endangered green parrot in the forest or view the many seabirds visible from the coastal walks. Whether you enjoy breathtaking coastal views or lush rainforest, you will find a tranquil haven to suit you somewhere in the park. The Botanic Garden walks of the Norfolk Island National Park near the intersection of Mt Pitt and Mission Roads will be of particular interest for gardeners. The newly refurbished Mount Pitt Road offers panoramic views of the island and is accessible by car, while the summit of Mount Pitt gives superb views across the island and out to Nepean and Phillip Islands to the south. Walks from here access all parts of the Norfolk Island National Park. Smaller reserves dotted around the coastline have a variety of walks, allowing access to lesser known parts of the island. Birdwatching is also rewarding. The tracks are rated gentle to moderate and take between 20 and 90 minutes (none is longer than 3.8km). The walking times indicated on signs along the track are for a one-way journey. Sufficient time has been allowed for you to walk at any easy pace with stops. For your comfort and safety, please wear sensible footwear. Bare feet, thongs or high heels are not advisable. Extra care is needed after rain when the tracks may become slippery. Park staff are available weekdays to provide further information.







Norfolk Island, which was built by volcanic activity, lies in the southwest Pacific Ocean about 1,600km (994 mi) from Sydney, Australia, and 1,120 km (696 mi) from Auckland, New Zealand. The island group was claimed for the British Empire by Captain James Cook in 1774. Signs of earlier short periods of occupation by Polynesian travelers have been located on the island. It was settled in 1788 to harvest the resources Cook had identified as useful for the British fleet, but was abandoned in 1814. A later colonial convict settlement began in 1825, but it ended in 1855. In 1856, the island was again inhabited, by the descendants of the sailors of Bounty mutiny and their Tahitian wives. During World War II, an airfield was constructed on Norfolk Island. The Mount Pitt section of Norfolk Island National Park was proclaimed in January 1986. The area under the management of the Australian Government has since grown to a total of 650 hectares (1,606 acres), consisting of two sections: the Mt Pitt Section which is located on Norfolk Island itself, covering 460 hectares (1,137 acres) and the Phillip Island Section comprised of 190 hectares (469 acres), the total area of neighbouring Phillip Island. Another 5.5 hectares (13.6 acres) of Park property is within the Norfolk Island Botanic Garden. Both areas had been public reserves declared under the Commons and Public Reserves Ordinance 1936. The Norfolk Island Botanic Garden was declared a Commonwealth reserve 1986 to provide a place where specimens of Norfolk's unique Flora could be conveniently seen and appreciated. The area comprising the Forestry Zone was cleared for banana plantations during the 1930s; but after the collapse of the banana industry, it developed into a dense thicket of African Olive.

Odzala National Park : CONGO Travel Tourism World Heritage Hotel

Odzala National Park : CONGO

Located in the heart of the great Congo basin rainforest, the Odzala National Park covers 13.600 square km, and is one of Africa's least-known and most extraordinary tropical forest ecosystems. Climatic fluctuations in Central Africa over the past several thousand years have caused a succession of transitions from forest to savannah and back to forest. The resulting patchwork of savannahs and forests that we see today in the Odzala National Park explains the exceptional diversity of plants and animals found here. The resulting patchwork of savannahs and forests that we see today in the Odzala National Park explains the exceptional diversity of plants and animals found here. Beneath the 40 metre high trees of this vast expanse of forest, some of which may never have been visited by man, healthy populations large forest mammals roam. But one of the really unique features of the Odzala National Park is the presence of many forest clearings or "salines" offering marvellous opportunities for observing otherwise rarely seen forest species. Attracted by the mineral salts in the soils and the succulent herbaceous plants sitatungas are commonly observed shoulder to shoulder with gorillas, elephants, giant forest hog. These are also excellent areas for bird watching. The Park was created in 1935 and is one of the oldest parks in Africa. Its owes its existence to Mr. St Floris the administrator of the French Equatorial Africa. Located in a remote area with a low human population the spectacular wildlife is well protected. In the recent past elephant poaching in the south of the park and along the rivers was a problem but the presence of ECOFAC has significantly curtailed this activity. The local populations, living mainly around the south west of the Park, are made up of various Bantu groups. The many forest resources are vital to their way of life. Located in the heart of the great Congo basin rainforest, the Odzala National Park, recently extended to cover 13.600 km2, is one of Africa's least known and most extraordinary tropical forest ecosystems. Climatic fluctuations in Central Africa over the past several thousand years have caused a succession of transitions from forest to savannah and back to forest.







The resulting patchwork of savannas and forests that we see today in the Odzala National Park explains the exceptional diversity of plants and animals found here. Grimm's duiker, spotted hyenas and lions, typically savanna species, are found shoulder to shoulder with forest elephants, buffalos, bongos, leopards, gorillas and other forest mammal species. This mosaïc of forest and savanna has resulted in a variety of landscapes, and a feeling of space, rarely encountered in forested zones. Another unique feature of the Odzala National Park is the presence of many forest clearings offering marvellous game viewing opportunities. These clearings appear to be created and maintained by the high number of large mammals that are attracted to them by the mineral salts in the soils, and by particular plant species that grow here. Gorilla, bongo and elephant, giant forest hog, bush pig, sitatunga and leopard are all regular visitors to these clearings. The area has been relatively well protected until now by its isolation and a low human population density. Monitoring changes in forest of the tropical belt presents a formidable yet vital challenge for remote sensing. In order to address this issue a joint project between the Joint Research Centre (in Italy) and the European Space Agency was initiated entitled the TREES Project: Tropical Ecosystem Environment observation by Satellite. The TREES project is oriented towards the study of tropical forest dynamics at regional to global scales using remote sensing techniques. One of the problems involves the ground-truthing of satellite images in order to determine the vegetation types. To overcome this problem, geo-referenced CyberTracker data collected at Odzala is sent to the TREES Project in Italy to assist them in their interpretation of satellite images. The pilot project in Odzala will now be expanded by ECOFAC to ten other national parks in central Africa, including the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Guinee Equatoriale, Sao Tomé, RCA, Cameroun and Tchad.







Odzala National Park is a wildlife reserve the size of 13.600 km2, located in the heart of Congo basin rainforest in Republic of Congo, near the border of Gabon. Established already in 1935, Odzala National Park is one of the oldest parks of Africa. However, it has remained as a remote and rarely visited destination, which has not yet reached wide reputation. The forested area of the park has some forest clearings, which make spotting animals easier. Odzala National Park offers you good possibilities to see the typical African jungle species, including gorillas, lions, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards in their natural surroundings. As a bonus to all this comes the rich biodiversity of the tropical flora found in the rainforests and savanna lands found inside the park. Weather in Odzala National Park is tropical, with average monthly high temperatures climbing to 30°C or near all-year round. The area of the park faces two rain seasons, the first of which is between March and May, and the second between September and December. During the wettest months of the year, which means May and November, the safari camps inside the park are closed, making Odzala National Park practically inaccessible destination. The best time to travel to the park is in January, February, June, July and August. Located in western part of Congo Brazzaville, Odzala National Park is often reached through Gabon, especially as the safety situation of Congo does not always allow safe traveling to Odzala National Park through the country.

La Claire Mare Nature Reserve : GUERNSEY Travel Tourism World Heritage Hotel

La Claire Mare Nature Reserve : GUERNSEY

La Claire Mare is a low-lying saline wetland on the west coast of Guernsey. It is one of the island's premier reserves for birds and is comprised of wet grassland,reedbeds & open water. Located next to the shingle bank at L'Eree, salt water is forced into the pondon spring high tides, leading to a brackish envirionment. This is a rare habitat in Guernsey and the reserves has a few specialist plant species, such as sea aster, that are remnants from saltmarshes that were formerly more widespread. In winter it regularly supports wildfowl such as Teal,Wigeon & Shoveler & a roost of up to 50 Little Egrets at high tide. La Claire Mare is a low-lying saline wetland on the west coast of Guernsey. Itis one of the island's premier reserves for birds and is comprised of wet grassland,reedbeds & open water. In winter it regularly supports wildfowl such as Teal,Wigeon & Shoveler & a roost of up to 50 Little Egrets at high tide. Duringmigration periods a great variety of species have been recorded including mostof the common migrant waders, ducks & warblers. Aquatic Warblers, the onlyglobally-threatened bird species to regularly visit the Bailiwick, are recordedannually in autumn. A book kept in the hide is available for observers to logtheir recent sightings. Located next to the shingle bank at L'Eree, salt water is forced into the pondon spring high tides, leading to a brackish envirionment. This is a rare habitatin Guernsey and the reserves has a few specialist plant species, such as SeaAster, that are remnants from saltmarshes that were formerly more widespread. To the SE, approached from Rue des Mares is a large area of wet meadows. Thesehave many species of orchid and other wetland plants in May and June and areextremely rich in insects. A path is cut round the edge so that the flowers andother wildlife can be enjoyed in spring and summer. In winter this area is usuallyflooded.








The 426 hectare site encompasses Lihou Island, La Claire Mare Nature Reserve, and the Colin Best Nature Reserve, as well as the intertidal area and outlying reefs and rocks. The site contains a variety of habitats from internationally threatened shingle banks, to marshes, reed beds, saline lagoons, and the intertidal area. The site also has a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, including a wide variety of seabirds, wildflowers, and marine organisms. Over 200 species of seaweed are recorded on the Lihou causeway alone. UK Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight in announcing the designation congratulated the Guernsey Authorities. ‘The United Kingdom has a proud record of designating more Ramsar sites than any other country, and the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories are home to particularly valuable and internationally-important wetland habitats. Guernsey is a worthy member of this group and the Guernsey site will be the 166th Ramsar site in the British Isles.’ Guernsey Environment Department Minister, Deputy Bernard Flouquet, said the announcement was great news for the island. “I am very pleased that an area of Guernsey’s wetlands will now be recognised internationally. Designation elevates the status of the site to that of ‘International Importance’, bringing special notice to the environmental, cultural and heritage aspects of the area. This recognition provides a positive focal point for new education, tourism and environmental initiatives which contribute to the long-term conservation and wise use of that particular site and other wetland areas”. Dr Charles David, President of La Société Guernesiaise, said: “La Société Guernesiaise is very pleased that this area has been granted Ramsar status. La Société has been closely involved with the application, together with the Guernsey Biological Records Centre, which is run in partnership with the Environment Department. La Société is a landowner, with a number of our sites such as the Colin Best and La Claire Mare Nature Reserves included within the Ramsar site. The site has some of the largest and most important intertidal areas in Western Europe, the size being due to Guernsey having a 10 metre tidal range – one of the largest in the world.”







Description -This is a circular walk of 4.3 km around the land portion of Guernsey's first proposed Ramsar site (Ramsar is an international convention which seeks to protect important wetland habitats. Guernsey hopes to designate this area, together with Lihou Island and the adjoining shore and sea to 6m below low water, as a Ramsar site in 2005). The walk could be done in an hour but there is an amazing amount of interest to see on the route: archaeology, geology, natural history, fortifications and other historical sites, landscapes, cottages and their gardens as well as beautiful spots for a picnic, bathing beaches, restaurants and tea rooms. It could take all day. Click for a large-scale map Wheelchair users can follow the route omitting the sections off the public roads around L'Erée Point and Le Catioroc. Starting places - Possible starting places are the car park (1 on map) or the bus stop (2) at L'Erée, or the car parks at Lihou Headland (3), under Fort Saumarez (4), by the slipway leading to La Chapelle Island (5) or at Le Catioroc (6). However, we will describe the walk starting at car park (1) at L'Erée (Perry's p20 B1, UTM map reference WV253781). Precautions- A short length of this walk, between 5 and 6 on the map, is along a stretch of the main road where there is poor visibility and no pavement. Parents should be cautious with their children at this point. The main roads have also to be crossed at three other points, but the majority of this walk is along quiet lanes and footpaths. Normal precautions should be taken on a beach against slippery and rough rocks and the incoming tide. Several Red data Book species occur on the site, including the fern allies Ophioglossum azoricum, which is found on Lihou and Isoetes histrix which occurs on Lihou and L’Erée headland. O. azoricum is a Red Data book species in both the UK and France, and I. histrix is known only on one site in England. The ormer, Haliotis tuberculata, a marine mollusc, is of great cultural significance locally, where it is a delicacy. The gathering of ormers though is carefully regulated under local legislation. Keen rock-poolers can discover a wealth of other marine organisms, including some species that occur on the edge of their natural distribution range. Many rare species and a representative sample of the north-western European fish fauna are found in the marine area of the site. The site is also a good stepping-stone for critically endangered aquatic warbler Arcocephalus paludicola, as well as proving good roosting and nesting sites for seabirds. There are particularly large numbers of Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus, but other varieties of waders include: ringed plover, turnstone, and Little Egret. The site also has a rich history, with passage graves dating to the Neolithic era, evidence of prehistoric settlement and Mesolithic flint working, pre-historic/Roman salt working and post medieval fortifications, as well as a medieval priory.mTo celebrate the designation Guernsey Post has commissioned a set of six commemorative stamps due for release in late July. The stamps feature images of animals and flora found at the site and were designed by well-known wildlife illustrator Wendy Bramall. Sally Diamond, Head of the Guernsey Philatelic Bureau, said she was confident the set would be popular with islanders and overseas collectors. ‘The illustrations are beautiful and include real Guernsey images, such as the ormer,’ said Ms Diamond.

Ruvubu National Park : BURUNDI Travel Tourism World Heritage Hotel

Ruvubu National Park : BURUNDI

Ruvubu National Park is the largest of Burundi's four national Parks. It is located in the northeast, adjacent to the Ruvubu River. Animals there include wildlife such as elephants, hippopotami, crocodiles, wild boars, lions, antelopes and flying lemurs and birds like guinea fowl, partridge, duck, geese, quail and snipe. Site description Located in north-eastern Burundi, the park extends south-westwards from the border with Tanzania along a 65 km stretch of the valley of the Ruvubu river. The south-western boundary of the park lies some 20 km to the east of the town of Gitega. The Ruvubu river valley comprises a series of meanders flanked by swamp vegetation, gallery forest and, further inland, savanna woodland. The latter comprises Hyparrhenia grassland with Brachystegia, Julbernardia, Combretum and Terminalia spp. and Acacia seyal plus Pericopsis and Parinari spp. on hillsides. Riverine forest lines the Ruvubu, interspersed with areas of Cyperus papyrus and Phoenix reclinata. There are also areas of flood-plain grassland, while papyrus swamps with sparse Syzygium occur along the drainage lines of the smaller valleys. On the high ridge which forms the southern boundary of the park, Protea sp. is common. The vegetation of the park includes Zambezian elements at the northern limits of their distribution. The rain season extends from October to May. Rusizi Natural Reserve - The Natural Reserve of Rusizi will be your first visit in Burundi for the simple reason that it is very near the capital city of Bujumbura. The River Delta extends over 500 ha of vegetation made of Phragmites Mauritianus. It is a natural shelter for few families of antelopes and hippopotamuses that come here in quest of grazing land. At the end of the track if you are lucky enough you may meet with a few crocodiles fast asleep on the golden sand of the river banks. The Rusizi Palmgroves (situated on the Cibitoke road 10 km away from Bujumbura) is also an exceptional landscape that will no doubt make your mind drift away from your day to day preoccupations. It offers to the visitor a rich vegetation completely adapted environment gratified by only a few sparse rains, made of euphorbia, thorny bushes and tall palm trees of the “Hyphaena bengalensis var ventricosa” specie. Right in the deepest part of the reserve you will be able to admire the natural ponds left by the Rusizi meanders. This place is a paradise for birds which come there by the hundred and feed themselves by dive-fishing. If you are patient enough you will be able to see some hippopotamuses paddling in the shallow waters feeling at home as well as on the ground.







The National Park of Ruvubu lies on both sides of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African bird faunae you may think of it as springing at every winding. Kibira National Park - Situated at the top of the apex Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha of preserved forest land, is the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its wild life constitutes a real shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, cercophitecus (a monkey), and black colobes scattering away to the approach of human beings and defying all laws of equilibrium and gravity. The park is crisscrossed by a network of 180 km of tracks and paths mainly used by guard car patrols and motorized tourists. The guards of the park will scout you in the wood undercover where you will be able to discover the fascinating attraction of the primeval forest and the charming songs of birds. Our mountain chains hide thermal springs, and the access to the park is made through the tea plantations of Teza and Rwegura which count among the best natural sceneries. Ruvubu National Park - The National Park of Ruvubu lies on both sides of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to complete wild life. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100 km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in a newly erected camp and you will be able to tell your friends when you are back home about tracking buffaloes along their trails where the joyful glee of the songs from all the African bird faunae you may think of it as springing at every winding.









The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short "pygmy" people who remain as a minority group there. The people currently known as Hutu and Tutsi moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule, ending with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, it has been the scene of recurring brutal mutual bloodlettings between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in neighboring Rwanda), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the (re)establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president. Bujumbura is located in the western part of the country. Moving towards the East travelers will be able to visit Gitega, it’s a large market held right in the center of the town, and its Museum of Traditions (ancient utensils, pictures, commented visit). Travelers will have to make advance bookings to be able to watch an extraordinary and fascinating show unique in the world: “The Drummers of Giheta” playing in their traditional environment. Then you will be making head away towards Rutana to see the admirable panorama of the Karea Falls and the Nykazu Break, called the “Break of the Germans”, which is an exceptional lookout that oversees the Kumoso plain. You will be ending your tour by the visit of Gihofi, a booming town with its new sugar refinery in the hart of the sugar cane plantations country. Towards the Southeastern part of the country don’t miss by any means the visit of the Nile Sources near Rutovu. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear with you otherwise you may miss the benefit of the hot springs in charming and subtle surroundings. You will also be able to see on your way the last traditional enclosed villas (round habitations surrounded by wooden fences strip in turn surrounded by grazing meadows and ploughed fields). Further south you will be able to cross a line of villages succeeding one after the other and wedged between the lake and abrupt mountains. Fortunately, you will be able to stop and have a rest, or go for nautical sports and have a meal in restaurants or simply stop for a drink, on nicely arranged fine sand beaches. Still further south lays the Nyanza Lake. Why not to take a boat and go to Tanzania on the other side of the lake and visit Gombe Natural Park?

Congo Basin Forest : CAMEROON/ CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Travel Tourism World Heritage Hotel

Congo Basin Forest : CAMEROON/ CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

The Congo Basin forest is the world’s second largest tropical forest, covering 700,000 square miles in six countries and containing a quarter of the world’s remaining tropical forest. This vast area hosts a wealth of biodiversity, including over 10,000 species of plants, 1,000 species of birds and 400 species of mammals. It is also home to more than 24 million people, most of whom depend on the forest for their livelihoods. The forest ecosystems of the Congo basin span across much of Central Africa, from the Atlantic Ocean's Gulf of Guinea to the mountains of the Albertine Rift in the east. Covering 700,000 square miles in six countries, they constitute the second largest area of contiguous moist tropical forest left in the world and represent approximately one fifth of the world's remaining closed canopy tropical forest. This vast area hosts a wealth of biodiversity, including over 10,000 species of plants, 1,000 species of birds, and 400 species of mammals, and three of the world's four species of great apes. It is also home to more than 24 million people, many of which depend on the forest for their livelihoods. The Congo basin forests not only play a critical role for global biodiversity conservation, they also provide vital regional and global ecological services as a carbon sink and catchment basin. Even though much of the forest area remains intact, the regional forest ecosystems continue to be at risk from a complex set of threats that call for concerted global action: unsustainable timber and mineral extraction, bush meat trade for urban and commercial forestry settlement markets, land clearing for agriculture, and weak governance. The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is an informal association that brings together around 40 governmental, nongovernmental, and international organizations. The CBFP was launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2002 in response to a call by the United Nations General Assembly in resolution 54/214 on February 1, 2000 encouraging the international community to support the countries of the Congo basin with financial and technical assistance in their efforts toward sustainable management of the forests. As a "type II" partnership ("type I" partnerships are intergovernmental negotiations), the CBFP is a non-binding network based on a voluntary agreement among governments, the private sector, civil society, and development organizations.







The biodiversity of the Congo Basin Forest is of global significance because of both the sheer number of species found in the region, known as species richness , and the number of plant and animal species that exist nowhere else on the planet, known as endemism . The Congo Basin Forest still boasts large interconnected tracts of tropical rain forest with important populations of large mammals: some of the last remaining intact wilderness areas on this planet. The forest harbors the most diverse assemblage of plants and animals in Africa including over 400 mammal species, more than 1,000 bird species, and likely over 10,000 plant species of which some 3,000 are endemic. Only in this region do gorillas, forest buffalo, bongo, and okapi occur in large numbers across large areas of forest. Humans may have originated in Central Africa, which is home to our three closest relatives-gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos. The forest also hosts forest elephants, large ecosystem "engineers" that continuously transform the landscape to maintain the ecological functioning of natural systems. By virtue of its sheer size, the Congo Basin Forest serves as a vast carbon sink of global importance for the regulation of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. The forest also regulates regional and local weather patterns, and ensures the cycling of water critical for a large area of Africa. It provides a critically important resource base for the livelihoods and well-being of tens of millions of people both in Africa and beyond. Following an unprecedented commitment made to conservation by the Heads of State of all the countries of the region at the Yaounde Summit in 1999, the Conference of Ministers in Charge of Forest in Central Africa (COMIFAC) endorsed and refined the concepts that global- and continental-scale priority setting and landscape-scale implementation offer the greatest chance of conservation success. In 2000, a WWF-sponsored priority-setting workshop in Libreville involving more than 150 national and international specialists concluded that not everywhere in Central Africa could be, or should be, a priority target for conservation. Poaching, urbanization, natural habitat loss, and degradation had left large areas with dysfunctional natural systems, bereft of wildlife and with low biodiversity. Based on goals of representation, population viability, sustainability of ecological processes, and ecosystem integrity and resilience, a suite of large tracts of relatively intact wilderness and other areas of unique ecological importance were identified. These areas, covering about 685,500 km 2 , or about 36 percent of the Congo Basin Forest, capture the majority of essential terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem functions of the Congo Basin Forest and also provided a framework for management planning and implementation. These areas, embedded in a matrix of variable human use and frequently crossing political boundaries, form the landscape network of Congo Basin Forest Partnership.









The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) aims to promote the sustainable management of the Congo Basins' forests and wildlife by improving communication, cooperation, and collaboration among all the partners. It does not intend to create new institutions, but through the partnership forum and transparency and information sharing to assist partners and their associates to work better. Principal objectives include the preservation of the biodiversity and ecology of the forest and wildlife, placing their protection and use on a sustainable basis for the long-term benefit of the region's inhabitants. Examples of support contemplated or extended by partners include support for community-based sustainable forest and wildlife management, better timber harvesting and processing technologies, ecotourism, increasing capacity in public and private sectors, improvement of law and law enforcement infrastructures, realizing their contributions to the alleviation of poverty. Target themes are provided by an updated regional master plan being developed by the Conference of Ministers of Forests of Central Africa (COMIFAC).The Congo Basin forest is the second largest intact tropical forest in the world. It purifies the air and it catches, cleans, and sends to the ocean the waters from millions of hectares of pristine forests upon which the Congo Basin's inhabitants depend for their livelihood and survival. Within their forests are an incredible number of species of plants, trees, animals, and insects. The forest is a global treasure whose resources must be protected and conserved for the environmental and economic good of the citizens of the Congo Basin, of Africa, and for mankind. The forest is concentrated in six countries in the Congo Basin Region. The framework for the Congo Basin Forest Partnership is the Yaounde Declaration which was agreed to in 1999 by central African heads of State. That framework aims to protect forests through the harmonization of forest policies, protected areas, regulations against poaching and the adoption of practices for sustainable forest use. It recognized the ecological significance of key mixed landscapes which are critical to longer term forest conservation and sustainable management The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) aims to promote the sustainable management of the Congo Basins' forests and wildlife by improving communication, cooperation, and collaboration among all the partners. It does not intend to create new institutions, but through the partnership forum and transparency and information sharing to assist partners and their associates to work better. Principal objectives include the preservation of the biodiversity and ecology of the forest and wildlife, placing their protection and use on a sustainable basis for the long-term benefit of the region's inhabitants. Examples of support contemplated or extended by partners include support for community-based sustainable forest and wildlife management, better timber harvesting and processing technologies, ecotourism, increasing capacity in public and private sectors, improvement of law and law enforcement infrastructures, realizing their contributions to the alleviation of poverty. Target themes are provided by an updated regional master plan being developed by the Conference of Ministers of Forests of Central Africa (COMIFAC).

Ombú Forest : URUGUAY Travel Tourism World Heritage Hotel

Ombú Forest : URUGUAY

The ombú is the national tree of Uruguay. Generally, the tree stands alone on the grasslands, so Ombú Forest, on the banks of the Castillos Lake, is one of the few areas where the trees form a large forest.The ombú tree forest has an extension of 20 km. Each ombú tree has an umbrella-like canopy that spreads to a girth of between 12 and 15 m and can attain a height of 12 to 18 m. Since the sap is poisonous, the ombú is not grazed on by cattle and is immune to locusts and other pests. Kelly Westhoff has an excellent article in Go Nomad about Ombu trees and Cabo Polonio, Uruguay .Of course if you are in Montevideo you can see an Ombu tree up close a and personal without traveling to Cabo Polonio, though that might be a great trip on its own. Kelly find Cabo Polonio (home of about 80 people) to be a faraway galaxy, but stops just short of calling it outerspace, and hesitates to even call it a town, prefering instead "the final outpost on the edge of a rugged frontier." And unlike Montevideo there is no traffic as they arrived on a monster truck that drove through the sand dunes. The Ombu tree forest was an hour boat ride up a wide river... If you want to see an Ombu tree check out the intersection of Blvd Espana and Luis de la Terre in Montevideo, Uruguay. If you want a real adventure try and find Cabo Polonio and the Ombu forest! ōmbooˈ, large evergreen tree (Phytolacca dioica) of the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay. It has an umbrellalike spread of foliage; the trunk may attain a girth of 40 to 50 ft (12.2–15.2 m). The tree grows rapidly. Its wood is spongy and soft enough to be cut with a knife. The ombú is the only tree native to the pampas, where it presents a solitary and distinctive aspect and provides welcome shade. Because the sap is poisonous, the ombú is not browsed by cattle and is immune to locusts and other pests. The dark, glossy leaves are sometimes used locally for a brew. The ombú is of the same genus as the North American pokeweed. It is planted as a shade tree in S California. Ombú is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Caryophyllales, family Phytolaccaceae.








Being in Cabo Polonio was like being in a galaxy far, far away. In Cabo Polonio, I was far, far away from any resemblance of my daily life in the United States. There was not a gas station, a Starbucks or a McDonald’s in sight. There were no newspaper kiosks. There were no cell phone rings. There were no cafes with Internet access. Plus, for the majority of the day, there were no lights because there was no electricity. Cabo Polonio is not in outer space; it is in Uruguay. It is a small, secluded town in a small, South American country. In fact, I hesitate to even call Cabo Polonio a town. Instead, it looks and feels like the final outpost on the edge of a rugged frontier. And it is. Cabo Polonio is surrounded by rugged frontiers. Cabo Polonio sits on the tip of a moon-sliver peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. On the back side, powerful waves relentlessly knock. But on the other side, on the inside of the moon, the water comes calmly to shore. At the top end, a lighthouse stands sure and straight over boulders tumbling into the sea. Two small, rocky islands dot the coast nearby. While the ocean presses against Cabo Polonio on three sides, sand presses against it from the last. The bottom end of Cabo Polonio´s peninsula, the end that connects it to the rest of Uruguay, is covered by dunes of sand. We told Raul exactly what we wanted to do. He disappeared. Two hours later, he reported back. We had plans for the following afternoon. A monster truck would pick us up and take us back to the highway. A boat would take us to see the Ombu trees. Horses would bring us all the way back to the hotel. We agreed without haggling on his price: 1,500 Uruguayan pesos in total, about $75 U.S. Our lunch finished, our outing planned for the next afternoon, we had nothing to do. We lounged in the padded chairs at the hotel. We chatted with other travelers lounging in chairs nearby. We sipped coffee. We read. We decided to go exploring. Raul was right. A colony of sea lions was sunning just around the corner. We could hear them. They yipped and yowled and we followed their cries picking our way along slabs of rock slanted towards turbulent ocean waves. The noisy ones were fighting, waging private wars. They can rip bloody wounds and even kill each other, hence the dead sea lions washed up on the beach. Most of the sea lions, however, were sleeping. If we crouched low and didn’t talk, a few of them let us creep close.






Sand whips and whirls throughout Cabo Polonio. It slithers across the beach. It gathers in mounds the size of a VW bug. It settles against the walls of buildings. It would block traffic if it could, except there is no traffic in Cabo Polonio. Cars don’t drive through Cabo Polonio´s streets because cars can´t make it past the sand dunes. But monster 4x4 trucks can. The monster truck that carried my husband and me into town from the nearest highway carried in 17 other curious travelers, too. One passenger rode in the cab with the driver, the rest of us, and all of our bags plus three surf boards, were loaded into the flatbed of the truck. The ride was tipsy and jolting. The truck faltered once or twice. The driver down-shifted, the gears grunted, the tires creaked and the weight of the construction-sized machine lunged through loose, deep dunes. Sand sputtered into the air, misting us all. In Cabo Polonio, you will feel far, far away from any resemblance of your daily life because in this small village there isn't a gas station, a Starbucks or a McDonald's in sight. There are no newspaper kiosks, cell phone rings and cafes with Internet access. In addition, most of the day, there are not lights because there is no electricity. Cars don't drive through Cabo Polonio´s streets because cars can´t make it past the enormous sand dunes. The "Cabo Polonio" (Cape Polonio) is a rocky tip that is erected 15 meters on the Atlantic Ocean, with incredible sand dunes and two islands where one of the most important see wolves' reservation of the world inhabits and where the sad songs of the see wolves can be heard among the roar of the sea against the rocks. The adventure in the tour to Cabo Polonio begins when we will try to reach the village. We will have to choose between horseback riding and 4x4 fully equipped to cross the 8 kms of enormous dunes, since regular cars are not allowed to drive into Cabo Polonio. This dreamful Cape and its dune landscape are the main attraction of this trip, which will bring you into a magnificent world, the land of ship wrecks and sea wolves. Its Lighthouse is another peculiar attraction. Apart of enjoying the beautiful sea view, we will have time for having lunch whose menu consists of seafood and home made pastas. In our tour to Cabo Polonio we also will see other beach resorts of Rocha Department such as La Paloma, La Pedrera, and La Barra Grande in laguna de Castillos where we will visit the largest group of ombú trees in the region. The Ombú tree forest has an extension of 20 kilometres. We propose an entertaining visit to the forest by boat in the Valizas stream.

Bwindi Rain Forest : UGANDA Travel Tourism World Heritage Hotel

Bwindi Rain Forest : UGANDA

The Bwindi National Park covers 331 sq km of tropical forest in southwestern Uganda, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is best known as the home of half the world's population of mountain gorillas, though the park also boasts chimpanzees and several other species of primates. Bwindi means muddy, swampy place full of darkness – or ‘impenetrable’. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a tropical rainforest largely contained within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP). It is located in south western Uganda, within the triangle of mountains where Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DCR) converge. It is about 25km north of the Virunga volcanoes and on the edge of the western Rift valley. In 1991 the Ugandan part of the forest became a national park, ‘Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’ protecting 127 square metres of rainforest, home to around 340 endangered mountain gorillas - about half of the world’s mountain gorillas remaining in the wild. The region has one of the richest ecosystems in Africa with more than 160 species of trees, over 100 species of ferns, and over 200 butterfly species. Bwindi is also famous for the "Albertine rift Endemic", a group of Birds specific to the Western Rift valley. Over 346 species of birds have been recorded in the region. Amongst the many species of mammals are a number of other primate species including red tailed guenon, blue guenon, L’Hoest’s guenon, black & white colobus, ververt and baboon, as well as nocturnal prosimians. The chimp population is estimated at 300-400. Bwindi is the only place in the world in which mountain gorillas and chimpanzees still co-exist. Other animals found in the region include elephants, duiker, bushpig, giant forest hog and several small cat species.







Have an early breakfast and be at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Headquarters for the Mountain Gorilla Tracking (Trekking) orientation and meeting with guides and separation into groups depending on which group you will be tracking . Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in South Western Uganda, on the edge of the Western Rift Valley. Bwindi is home to over half of the Mountain Gorillas in the world. There area more than 300 some gorillas found here. Visitors from every corner of the globe come here for the Ultimate Ugandan Safari - Mountain Gorilla tracking (trekking) at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The word Bwindi means darkness and when you hike this fabulous forest you can know why it is called that. You will also be able to quickly to tell why the word Impenetrable is used here for this forest. One needs to be physically fit to embark on this gorilla venture since it can involve steep climbs or coming down a hill that is wet at times. Besides the gorillas there are 346 species of birds and over 200 species of butterflies There are 324 tree species here, 10 of which are found nowhere else in Uganda. This is truly a place to explore. Since there are limited Gorillas here that have been habituated (meaning that they are used to people and are not prone to attack), there is limited time to see them and permits are presently priced at $500 a person. No one complains after having spent some time with Mountain Gorillas of Uganda at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the most beautiful rainforest you will ever see. Then it is off for your own Gorillas in the Mist experience. Hiking through this mysterious and magnificent forest where there is much else to see on your way to your Mountain Gorilla Group. The flora and fauna, the other primates, mammals, birds, butterflies will be most beautiful and only enhance this very special day. The tracking (trekking) can involve some rigorous climbing and hiking but then you are face to face with these powerful Mountain Gorillas, observing them just a few meters from you watching the group, mothers with a baby, the gorillas doing their daily routine and you are there. You will not find the mountain gorillas in any zoo, but only in this small section of Africa where the remaining mountain gorillas are found. Fortunately and due to much work they are thriving and surviving here at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and you are there seeing them up close and personal.







Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Reserve was gazetted in the year of 1942 and later in 1992 it was upgraded to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and in 1994 it was recognized as a World Heritage Site. In local language (Lukiga), Bwindi actually means ‘Impenetrable.’ This repeated warning is apt, for Bwindi is all however impenetrable; 327 km2 of tangled plant life draped over a deep fissured landscape of steep, slippery valleys & high, draughty ridges. However if the terrain is far from easy to manage, it’s well worthy the effort. A trek through this, is among Africa’s most ancient rainforests, in search of the vulnerable mountain gorilla, ranks among one of the world’s premier wildlife encounters. Bwindi could be very cold especially in the morning & night. The annual mean temperatures range is 7°C to 20°C with the coldest months being June & July.Hence warm clothings are required, plus wet weather gear because Bwindi receives up to 2390mm of rain every year. This is centered on during 2 wet seasons, short rains in March- May & heavy rainfall in the months of September-November.In Bwindi, rain often falls as long hours of soft drizzle,instead of short tropical deluge. Bwindi is located in south-western Uganda, approximately 530km from Kampala. From several directions, the park can be reached by road.Queen Elizabeth National Park (Mweya)-Kihihi-Buhoma This route passes through the park’s southern Ishasha sector, offering a chance of a stopover to hunt for the famous tree-climbing lions. Bwindi is 64km from Ishasha and 160km from Mweya. Bwindi is the Bird watcher's paradise! It holds 348 species of birds and contains 90% of all Albertine rift Endemic such as; the Short-tailed Warbler, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Gruel's Rush Warbler, Wilcock's Honey-guide, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, Kivu Ground Thrush, Dusky Crimson Wing, White-tailed Blue Monarch among others, difficult or impossible to see in any other part of EastAfrica. An experienced bird watcher can identify up to 100 species in a day! Visit Ruhija and Buhoma for this dream. Indicate your interest to the guide so that appropriate early morning departures can be arranged.

Retezat National Park : ROMANIA Travel Tourism World Heritage Hotel

Retezat National Park : ROMANIA

Retezat National Park, located in Hunedoara county, Romania, was founded in 1935 and has an area of 380 km². Containing more than 60 peaks over 7,500 feet and over 100 crystal clear deep glacier lakes, the Retezat Mountains are some of the most beautiful in the Carpathians and include Romania's first national park. The area shelters one of Europe's last remaining, unaffected natural primary forest and the largest single area of pristine mixed forest. Wolves, brown bear, wild boar, lynx, wildcat, chamois, roe and red deer, as well as small carnivore species such as badger and otter populate the area. Retezat National Park, located in Hunedoara county, Romania, was founded in 1935 and has an area of 380 km². Containing more than 60 peaks over 7,500 feet (2,300 m) and over 100 crystal clear deep glacier lakes, the Retezat Mountains are some of the most beautiful in the Carpathians and include Romania's first national park. Retezat National Park is a natural reserve area covering more than 275 sq mi (710 km2)., including 4,500 acres (18,000,000 m2) in a strictly protected scientific reserve area called "Gemenele". The area shelters one of Europe's last remaining, unaffected natural primary forest and the largest single area of pristine mixed forest. Wolves, brown bear, wild boar, Eurasian Lynx, European Wildcat, chamois, Roe Deer and red deer, as well as small carnivore species such as Eurasian Badger and Eurasian otter populate the area. In 1979 the Man and Biosphere Program of UNESCO included the park in the international network of biosphere reserve.The Retezat Mountains can be found in this Park, with the highest peak being Peleaga Peak at 2509 meters. The name derives from the name of the mountains and retezat means in Romanian "cut off", alluding to their shape. It also includes about 80 glacier lakes. Here can be found 1190 of the 3450 plant species of Romania, of which 130 have the "endangered" or "vulnerable" status. A part of it is a 'protected area', which contains an intact primeval forest.







Hiking in Retezat National Park you may well lose your breath, not from the climb, but the breath-taking views of nature at her wildest. Peaks of differing heights, many topping the 2,000m mark, make the park a true wilderness challenge. Visitors willing to tackle the "massive challenge" will discover their efforts are well rewarded. The lonely mountains rise and fall, and appear to change in shape as the sun casts an array of mountain shadows about the land from dawn to dusk. At the western end of the Carpathian Mountains, Retezat provides a spectacular contrast to the Danube Plains. Alpine peaks, glacial lakes, forests and alpine meadows provide rich opportunities to discover nature. Tread quietly and you may see Chamois or Golden Eagle.

As the first Romanian national park, Retezat National Park has been well preserved, so that it hosts a great wilderness containing many rare plants and animals.
In the northern part of Retezat you can see a typical glacier landscape with glacial valleys and cirques, lakes and peaks. In the southern part, composed of limestone, there are caves, gorges and sinkholes. Retezat’s plateaus are covered with alpine meadows and flowers. In early summer, alpine slopes are clothed in incredible colour during the blooming of rhododendron.There is an extensive network of trails in the pristine beech, spruce, and fir forests that are among the most extensive mountain forests in Europe.
You can drink crystal clear water directly from mountain streams and walk up to see the sun rise above majestic peaks such as Peleaga - at 2,509m, the highest peak in the park.








Retazat is the oldest Romanian national park, it was established in 1935?
Retezat has the highest number of mountain peaks over 2,000m in Romania (over 20)?
the mountain range gurgles with streams and has more than 80 glacial lakes?
the largest glacial lake in Romania is Bucura
in Retezat (8.8 ha)?
the highest peak in the Retezat Mountain is
Peleaga (2,509 m. high)?
the deepest glacial lake in Romania is Zanoaga
in Retezat (29-metre deep)?
traditional grazing activities are still practiced by local people?

Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves : NIGER Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves NIGER The Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves is the largest protected area in

Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves : NIGER

The Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves is the largest protected area in Africa, covering over 7.7 million hectares. It includes the volcanic massif of the Aïr Mountains, a Sahelian island isolated in climate, flora and fauna in the surrounding Saharan desert of Ténéré. Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves contains an outstanding variety of landscapes, plant species and wild animals. The region suffered from military and civil disturbance in the 1990s: six members of the Reserve staff were held hostage in 1992. In compliance with the request from Niger's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee inscribed the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992. A peace agreement with rebels was signed in April 1995 and the impact of rebel activities on the integrity of the site has been found to be less severe than expected. An IUCN/WWF project has since helped to re-establish a management regime. Missions to the site in 1998 and 2001 found that the numbers of most wildlife species were recovering and the flora to be mostly intact except in some valleys over-used by the local people. Some species continue to be seriously threatened by poaching and the international trade in live animals and animal by-products and ostriches are now almost extinct on site. However, the State Party has submitted an emergency program for rehabilitation of the site and it may be considered for removal from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The reserve is in the south-central Sahara and north-central Niger, approximately 160 kilometers (km) north east of Agadez, between 08º00'E -10º57'E and 17º14'N - 20º30'N.








Two fifths of the reserve lies in the northeastern half of the Aïr Mountains, the rest is in the western half of the desert of the Ténéré du Tafassasset. The Sanctuaire des Addax lies in the Ténéré at the foot of the mountains, north of the center of the reserve and covering a sixth of its area. The Aïr and Ténéré National Nature Reserve is a national nature reserve in the West African nation of Niger. It includes several overlapping reserve designations, and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers both the eastern half of the Aïr Mountains and the western sections of the Ténéré desert. The Aïr and Ténéré UNESCO World Heritage Site was established in 1991, and marked as endangered 1992. It was designated under criteria vii, ix, x, and is designated #573. The entire reserver covers 77,360 sq km, which made it the second largest nature reserve in Africa, and the fourth largest in the world. Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves includes the volcanic massif of the Aïr Mountains, a Sahelian island isolated in climate, flora and fauna in the surrounding Saharan desert of Ténéré. It contains an outstanding variety of landscapes, plant species and wild animals. One-sixth of the reserve is a sanctuary for addax.







The region suffered from military and civil disturbance in the 1990s: six members of the Reserve staff were held hostage in 1992. In compliance with the request from Niger's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee inscribed the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992. A peace agreement with rebels was signed in April 1995 and the impact of rebel activities on the integrity of the site has been found to be less severe than expected. An IUCN/WWF project has since helped to re-establish a management regime. Missions to the site in 1998 and 2001 found that the numbers of most wildlife species were recovering and the flora to be mostly intact except in some valleys over-used by the local people. Some species continue to be seriously threatened by poaching and the international trade in live animals and animal by-products and ostriches are now almost extinct on site. However, the State Party has submitted an emergency program for rehabilitation of the site and it may be considered for removal from the List of World Heritage in Danger. This is the largest protected area in Africa, covering some 7.7 million ha, though the area considered a protected sanctuary constitutes only one-sixth of the total area. It includes the volcanic rock mass of the Aïr, a small Sahelian pocket, isolated as regards its climate and flora and fauna, and situated in the Saharan desert of Ténéré. The reserves boast an outstanding variety of landscapes, plant species and wild animals.

Gauja National Park : LATVIA Travel Tourism World Heritage Hotel

Gauja National Park : LATVIA

The Gauja National Park is the largest national park in Latvia, with an area of 917.45 square km running from northeast of Sigulda to southwest of Cēsis along the valley of the Gauja River, from which the park takes its name. The park is particularly noted for the Devonian sandstone cliffs, in some places more than 40m in height, along the banks of the Gauja. In the southwest, it is mainly used by the inhabitants of Riga as a leisure facility, while it is more strictly protected further to the northeast. Some 47% of the park's territory is forest, mostly spruce and pine, but with some deciduous growth. Of the numerous lakes in the park, the largest is Lake Ungurs. The Gauja National Park (Latvian: Gaujas nacionālais parks) in Vidzeme is the largest national park in Latvia, with an area of 917.45 km² running from north-east of Sigulda to south-west of Cēsis along the valley of the Gauja River, from which the park takes its name. It was established on 14 September 1973 and is thus also the oldest national park in Latvia. The park administration is based in Sigulda. The park is particularly noted for the Devonian sandstone cliffs, in some places as high as 90 metres, along the banks of the Gauja, particularly in the northern parts round Sigulda. In the south-west it is mainly used by the inhabitants of Riga as a leisure facility, while further to the north-east it is more strictly protected.







The biggest NP in Latvia (920 square km) founded in 1973. It´s situated on the banks of Gauja river, 60 km long and some 10 to 30 km wide. Marvelous combination of nature (forests, rivers, caves) and cultural sights (cities of Sigulda, Cesis, Valmiera, castles of Sigulda, Krimulda, Turaida). Quite good and cheap railway connection with Riga. Cesis: 20000 inhabitants, fonunded 1205; the oldest North-European brewery (1590); ruin of medieval castle; Chateau Jauna pils with a museum; large gothic church of St. John. Sigulda: 12000 inhabitants, name from Segewald (castle of German crusaders, you can visit the ruins). Pseudo-gothic Jauna pils nearby. Picturesque Lutheran church from 1750. You can reach the other bank by cableway (40m above the river) and visit the castle of Turaida (1214) built from red bricks on the place of former wodden fort. Between Sigulda and Turaida you may see the Gutmana cave, the biggest in Baltic, with old scraped signs. If the weather is right, a few days in the densely wooded Gauja National Park, just 20 mi/30 km northeast of Riga, can be the highlight of a trip to Latvia. Set in the Gauja River Valley, Gauja National Park has scenic Devonian sandstone cliffs, small caves and wonderfully tall, ancient oak trees. A nice way to see the park is on trail rides or—when the water levels are high in spring—by boat. In Gauja, you'll want to stop in Cesis, a former Hanseatic town in the middle of the park.






The area was formerly sometimes known as the "Livonian Switzerland" and tourists started to visit this area in the 19th century. Besides the towns of Cēsis and Sigulda, Līgatne (with the Līgatne Nature Trails) is also located in the park, and Valmiera is close to it. It also includes Turaida Castle, Lielstraupe (known for its church and castle) and the historic Ungurmuiža estate.
47% of the park's territory is forest, mostly spruce and pine, but including some deciduous growth. Of the numerous lakes in the park the largest is Lake Ungurs. Visit St. John's Church (dating from 1281) and the Cesis Castle (founded by the Knights of the Sword in the 1200s, and more recently restored). Cesis hosts a number of popular summer festivals, including an opera festival, a beer festival and the Knight's Festival (with a jousting tournament). http://tourism76.blogspot.com

Grand Etang Forest Reserve : GRENADA Travel Tourism World Heritage Hotel

Grand Etang Forest Reserve : GRENADA

High up in the mountains of Grenada's interior, the Grand Etang Forest Reserve's varied elevations and terrains give life to several different ecological subsystems. These culminate in the elfin woodlands high up the slopes of the reserve's central mountains. The focal point of the forest reserve is Grand Etang Lake, which fills the crater of one of the island's extinct volcanos. The rainforest around the lake holds a stupendously rich diversity of flora and fauna Grenada has in recent years begun to protect some of its most remarkable natural assets through a system of national parks and protected areas. Ranging from the magnificent Grand Etang Forest Reserve to the tranquil intimacy of La Sagesse estuary, these areas hold considerable attraction for hikers and birdwatchers as well as for those who simply want to become better acquainted with the peerless natural beauty of the island. Grand Etang Lake and Forest Reserve The most popular area in Grenada for hiking and trekking is undoubtedly the rainforest around the Grand Etang Forest Reserve, high up in the mountains of the island's interior. Grand Etang's varied elevations and terrains maintain several different ecological subsystems, culminating in the elfin woodlands high up the slopes of the reserve's central mountains. The focal point of the forest reserve is Grand Etang Lake, which fills the crater of one of the island's extinct volcanos. The rainforest around the lake holds a stupendously rich diversity of flora and fauna. Colourful tropical birds, tiny frogs and lizards, and rare orchids punctuate the dense rainforest vegetation, and the trails meander around the area's stunning waterfalls as well as the azure waters of Grand Etang Lake..









This nature preserve, in the mountainous interior 6 mi/10 km northeast of St. George's, deserves an all-day trip from the capital. It has well-marked trails where you can see many of the island's 350 bird species as well as monkeys, opossums and the occasional armadillo. An easy 15-minute walk on Morne La Baye Trail offers a fine introduction to the island's ferns, lichens, trees, flowering plants and grasses. For a challenging hike, take the trail leading up to Fedon's Camp: The short-but-demanding path offers rain-forest views that are worth the effort. At the heart of the reserve (1,740 ft/520 m above sea level) is Grand Etang (Great Pond). There is a small museum (closed Sunday) at the reserve's Forest Centre that contains some interesting exhibits relating to Grenada's geologic development. Although most trails are well-marked, you can also take a guided hike from Henry's Safari Tours or Telfor Bedeau Hiking Tours. Be aware that the reserve can be 10-15 degrees cooler than the coast and sudden rain showers are likely. It's a good idea to wear nonslip shoes, a hat, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Take along insect repellent and water, too.








Grand Etang's flora includes towering mahogany and giant gommier trees as well as a multitude of ferns, tropical flowers, and other indigenous plants. The lush vegetation provides shelter for a wide variety of animals, particularly for the island's many species of birds. The broad-winged hawk (known here as the gree-gree), Lesser Antillean swift, Antillean euphonia, purple-throated carib, Antillean crested hummingbird (known as the little doctor bird), and the Lesser Antillean tanager (known as the soursop) are all common sights. In addition, the Grand Etang is populated by plenty of frogs and lizards, as well as playing host to opossums, armadillos, mongooses, and the mona monkey. Hikes at Grand Etang range from easy 15-minute jaunts to rigorous expeditions of several hours. The trails are quite good, and the Forest Reserve provides excellent guides (both written and human). One of the central mountains of Grenada's interior range, Mt. Qua Qua rises to a height of over 2,370 ft (720 m). The trail to and along its ridge passes by Grand Etang Lake and then rises up to the higher altitudes, cooler temperatures, and elfin mountain forests of the upper slopes. Hiking the trail takes about an hour and a half, with frequently steep and sometimes slippery sections that require some caution. One of the primary attractions of this walk, in addition to the panoramic prospects available from its occasional clearings, is that it provides a comprehensive introduction to the varied plant and animal life of both the rainforest and mountain ecosystems of Grand Etang.

Sierra Nevada, National Park : SPAIN Travel Tourism World Heritage Hotel

Sierra Nevada, National Park : SPAIN

The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range in the region of Andalusia in Spain. It contains the highest point of continental Spain, Mulhacén at 3,479 metres. The Sierra Nevada were formed during the Alpine Orogeny, a mountain-building event that also formed the European Alps to the east and the Atlas Mountains of northern Africa across the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The Sierra Nevada is a dramatic, rugged and extensive mountain range, the highest in Europe after the Alps and the most significant section of the Cordillera Penibética. The protected area encompasses 86,208ha of torrential rivers, sheer-sided gorges, stony scree slopes, glacial lakes between snowy summits and, in the foothills of the Alpujarras, cultivated terraces of almond trees and vegetables. Designated a national park in 1998, it is one of only two in Andalucia, the other being the Doñana National Park. It retains its status of natural park, which it has been since 1989, and this covers a marginally smaller area, of 85,777ha. It was declared a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 1986, in recognition of its exceptionally diverse plant, bird and animal species. There are over 20 peaks more than 3,000m, which makes it the second highest mountain range in Europe after the Alps. The two highest peaks in the Iberian Peninsula are in the park, the Mulhacén at 3,482m, closely followed by the Pico del Veleta, at 3,396m. On a clear day these mountains can be seen from as far away as Africa. The park has a rich history, with the Tartessians, Visigoths, Romans and Moors all leaving their legacy in the area, which can be still be seen today; for example, the sophisticated irrigation systems inherited from the Moors and the distinctive architecture of the Alpujarras, with their flat-roofed houses, a design brought from north Africa with the Berbers. The Alpujarras have a long tradition of independence; the last Moorish king, Boabdil, famously sheltered here after the fall of Granada. It became the Moors' last refuge in Spain before their 1568 revolt failed and they were forced to leave Spain.







The Sierra Nevada National Park covers 86,208 hectares and is home to two of the Iberian Peninsula’s highest mountains - the Mulhacén (3,482m) and the Veleta (3,392m). The park stretches between the provinces of Granada and Almería. It is divided into two main areas - one that forms the high ridge of mountains clearly marked by glacial action and with little developed vegetation and the Mediterranean mountain range of less severe peaks that abound with flora and fauna of all types. The higher peaks are snow covered practically all year round and provide a much needed supply of water for the foothills below where more than 2,000 species of plants have been discovered and catalogued. Over 60 species of birds live in the sierra, not only the typical giants of the high mountains like the golden eagle and the griffin vulture, but also mountain birds like the golden oriole and the hoopoe. The easiest mammals to spot are the wild mountain goats as they hop nimbly up and down the most incredible precipices, and more patient observers will see foxes, badgers, wild cats and a great variety of snakes and lizards. The Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada (known as the Sierra Nevada National Park in English) is located in the Granada and Almería provinces (SE Spain). It stretches from Alpujarra to the Marquesado and the Lecrin Valley. Some of the mountain peaks reach up to over 3,000 meters. There are over 60 species of flower here that belong exclusively to the area. Here you will find a thriving Spanish ibex population along with other species, such as badger and wildcat. Popular activities include: skiing, hiking, climbing, paragliding, ibex watching and bird watching. Next to the park is the Botanic Garden of Cortijuela. Here one the endemic species of the Sierra are investigated and preserved.





The Sierra Nevada were formed during the Alpine Orogeny, a mountain-building event that also formed the European Alps to the east and the Atlas Mountains of northern Africa across the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The Sierra as observed today formed during the Tertiary Period (65 to 1.8 million years ago) from the collision of the African and Eurasian continental plates. Central to the mountain range is a ridge running broadly west-south-west - east-north-east. For a substantial distance, the watershed stays consistently above 3000m in altitude. On the southern side of the range, several long but narrow river valleys lead off towards the south-west, separated by a number of subsidiary ridges. On the steeper and craggier northern side, the valleys have less regular orientations. This side is dominated by the Rio Genil which starts near Mulhacén and into which many of the other rivers flow.