UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS IN TANZANIA
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a forest park where only hiking is allowed. Walking amongst 60m tall trees and swimming in 180m waterfall plunge pools really is something different. This allows you to get out of the car and break up your safari. Udzungwa is a biodiversity hotspot and is part of the Eastern Arc Mountain Range. This range is home to over 40% of Tanzania’s plant and animal species.
- Birding & Primate Viewing: Excellent
- Best time to visit Udzungwa : June – November
- How to get there: you can drive or catch the train to Udzungwa
- Safari types available: Walking Safaris only
Udzungwa is not that busy so you are likely to have the forest to yourself and the monkeys as you hike. Depending which trail you choose to follow you may be accompanied by an armed ranger as there are elephants and buffalo. Trails vary from Day hikes like Sanje Falls and Njokamoni to three day camping adventures like Mwanihana Mountian, the second highest peak in the range.
Udzungwa is excellent for birdwatching and primate viewing. For the birders there are notable endemics such as the Rufous Winged Sunbird and the Southern Seedcracker. Diurnal primates found in the park include the endemic Iringa Red Colobus, the Sanje Mangeby and the Kipunji Monkey. You can arrange to go on a specific trek to see a habituated troup of Sanje Mangeby if you wish. Just let us know.
There is no accommodation in the park other than camping, outside the park there are several options with prices fanging from $40 – $150 but by far and away the best is Hondo Hondo Tented camp located on the edge of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park.