The Volcanoes National Park protects the Rwandan section of the Virunga Mountains and is contiguous with the Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. The tall, free-standing mountains are linked by fertile saddles formed by lava flows and are one of the most striking sights in East Africa. Although home to elephant, buffalo, and duiker they are best known for the 300 mountain gorillas that reside amongst the bamboo forests on the upper slopes. About half of these gorillas live permanently in the Rwandan sector of the mountains and gorilla tracking here is one of the wildlife highlights of Africa.