Udzungwa Mountains Np
This mountain range from south to central Tanzania. The biodiversity of this park is by far one of Tanzania’s most special features making it ab intriguingly offbeat destination for anyone botanically inclined. Habitats include mountain forests, tropical rainforests, Miombo woodlands, grasslands, and steppe.
The Udzungwa Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains which are found in Kenya and Tanzania and were formed some 200 million years ago. Today they hold a unique collection of flora and fauna and cover only 2% of Tanzania’s area but hold between 30-40% of the country's plant and mammal species.
The vertical height of the Udzungwa forests ranges from 250 m to 2,576 m and with numerous forest trails, offering different kinds of activities, the park is a true hikers' paradise. A half-day tour to Sanje waterfall at a towering 170 m is definitely worth doing.
The park is also home to 6 species of primates, 2 of which (Iringa red colobus and the Sanje crested Mangabey) occur nowhere else in the world. Bird watchers are also in for a treat as the park boasts with over 400 species of birds. Some of them are endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains and four of them are found only in Udzungwa. Other common birds include ruppells vultures, marabous, crowned eagles, malachite kingfishers, woodland kingfishers, silvery-cheeked hornbills, and trumpeter hornbills.
The Udzungwa Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains which are found in Kenya and Tanzania and were formed some 200 million years ago. Today they hold a unique collection of flora and fauna and cover only 2% of Tanzania’s area but hold between 30-40% of the country's plant and mammal species.
The vertical height of the Udzungwa forests ranges from 250 m to 2,576 m and with numerous forest trails, offering different kinds of activities, the park is a true hikers' paradise. A half-day tour to Sanje waterfall at a towering 170 m is definitely worth doing.
The park is also home to 6 species of primates, 2 of which (Iringa red colobus and the Sanje crested Mangabey) occur nowhere else in the world. Bird watchers are also in for a treat as the park boasts with over 400 species of birds. Some of them are endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains and four of them are found only in Udzungwa. Other common birds include ruppells vultures, marabous, crowned eagles, malachite kingfishers, woodland kingfishers, silvery-cheeked hornbills, and trumpeter hornbills.
Reasons to Hike Udzungwa Mountains;
>Birding and a walking safari, Four or the present bird species are peculiar to Udzungwa, you can also go out to explore primates and other mammals present in this biodiverse park.
>Udzungwa is a magnet for hikers. An excellent network of forest trails includes the popular half-day ramble to Sanje Waterfall, which plunges 170 meters (550 feet) through a misty spray into the forested valley below.
>Udzungwa mountains is also relatively cheaper and less challenging making a greater alternative for hikers who are not sure or ready to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru which are higher, more challenging, and with a higher budget.
>Udzungwa is a magnet for hikers. An excellent network of forest trails includes the popular half-day ramble to Sanje Waterfall, which plunges 170 meters (550 feet) through a misty spray into the forested valley below.
>Udzungwa mountains is also relatively cheaper and less challenging making a greater alternative for hikers who are not sure or ready to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru which are higher, more challenging, and with a higher budget.
Best Time to Hike the Udzungwa Mountains;
The best time is during the dry season from June to October, however January to march is also great, you should avoid April to May which is the rainy season.
Getting to the Udzungwa Mountains;
You can hire a private vehicle or take a bus heading to Mikumi which is a small town just before the mountains.