Landscapes

The Albertine Rift contains many protected areas that are connected. These are established as distinct protected areas, either because they are managed by different institutions within one country, or because they connect across international borders. It is necessary to manage these as one unit since animals do not recognize borders and migrate across the boundaries. Species such as elephants are a particular conservation concern because of the trade in ivory and the need to know what is happening to them as they enter another country.

As a general rule: the larger the conservation area, the better it is for the long-term conservation of its species and habitats. If these landscapes are to persist, it is important that they are managed as one contiguous unit rather than independent sites. The connectivity between them could easily be lost if this is not taken into consideration.

The Greater Virunga Landscape

The largest and most critical of the landscapes includes the Virunga National Park in DRC,  the Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda and  Semliki, Rwenzori, Queen Elizabeth, and Kibale National Parks, Kasyoha-Kitomi, Kalinzu-Maramagambo Forest Reserves and Kyambura Wildlife Reserve in Uganda. This 'Greater Virunga landscape' covers about 12,860 km² and includes a wide variety of habitats and altitudes, ranging from 600-5,100 metres above sea level. It is also incredibly rich in species and endemic and threatened species. There is nowhere else in Africa that can claim species numbers close to those found here. Even detailed studies of sites in the neotropics have fewer numbers than these.


 

1. Nyungwe-Kabira forests
   These two areas are contiguous across the Burundi-Rwanda border
    
2. Murchison Falls National Park - Budongo-Bugoma-Kagombe-Itwara Forest Reserves- Semliki/Toro Wildlife Reserve
   These sites link Murchison Falls to Semliki Wildlife Reserve through a corridor of forests reserves, grasslands and private forests. This landscape may be important for the gene flow in chimpanzee communities.
    
3. Kahuzi-Biega National Park - Tayna Community Reserve - Itombwe Massif
   Although not linked by protected areas there is still a fair amount of natural habitat between these sites and it may be possible to maintain linkages. It is also important to maintain the linkage between the upland and lowland sectors of Kahuzi Biega National Park.
    
4. Mahale Mountains - Ufipa plateau
   Much wild land still exists to the east of Mahale Mountains National Park and down towards Ufipa Plateau. It may be possible to protect parts of this region to enlarge the park. Visit www.southernhighlandstz.org to learn more about WCS work in Tanzania.