Before we head to Kigali our FAWE teams are completing their research posters for Monday’s event at the School. Research includes observations if the orchid species and the habitat including information on other plants found near the orchid species. The work is impressive and will be turned into a publishable article.

For our last trek in Nyungwe we explored the Ngabwe trail which climbs the mountain opposite KCCEM and then runs along its ridge at 2700m altitude. With our FAWE partners we explored a very diverse forest with secondary regrowth, primary elfin forest and wonderful Erica forest on the ridge of quartzite. We again found amazing wildlife including Nyugwe’s only venomous snake the sedge viper. This wonderful metre long green and black snake was hiding in a bush beside the trail.

We also saw flying squirrel, a troop of L’hoest monkey (mountain monkey) crossed the canopy above our heads and we saw Rwenzori turaco again with Jess finding these lovely feathers from the bird.

The plants were fantastic too including many orchids and the very rare insectivorous species Utricularia troupinii. The most abundant orchid was Disperis dicerochila shown below.

Tomorrow we say goodbye to Kitabi and head back to Kigali.

Here we are ready to jump in the KCCEM bus to head back to the forest. The weather is fine and we are all refreshed after a good nights sleep and a substantial breakfast. Thanks again for all the comments, it is great to know you are following our adventures.

Hurray: we saw a pair of great blue turacos today! What an amazing bird. A unique species or hens dressed up for a costume party??? Darwin, please explain. Simon thinks it is the second solution as in the second picture they look like they are waiting for a bus.

The FAWE student arrived at KCCEM at 8pm last night and after a stormy night with heavy rain and thunder we headed to a dripping forest. The rain stopped as we began our trek and the girls, aided by Writhlington students, carried out detailed observations of orchids in the forest.
We have all made it back to KCCEM and student teams are now writing up their research.