Udzungwa Mountains National Park

The Tanzanian landscape includes several small isolated mountain ranges. Each of these have a unique mixture of habitats and animal species and none more so that the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Home to at least ten species of primate and several recently discovered species of bird, a rainforest trek here will be one you never forget.

A huge contrast to its neighbour, Mikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains has only recently gained its status as a National Park. Swathed in a unique and fascinating rain forest, the mountains have been untouched for thousands of years due to the taboos of traditional beliefs. Still rarely visited, Udzungwa is a must for those looking for this the true 'country of contrasts'.

The Udzungwa rainforest is a remnant of the ancient Eastern arc rainforest that stretched along the eastern rift. It has similarities with forests in Madagascar and West Africa. However, Madagascar split from the mainland 165 million years ago and the Udzungwa forests have remained isolated from those in West Africa for the last 5 million years so that there exists a high degree of endemism with 25% of the plant species unique, 4 species of endemic primate, and several recently discovered endemic bird species.

Pack some sturdy shoes, as a trek up to Sanje Waterfall is no 'walk in the park'. Breathtaking, overwhelming views will greet those who make the effort to reach the top of this the 'piece d' resistance' of Udzungwa National Park. There are no roads inside the park, but there are plenty of walks of varying length and difficulty to explore beneath the canopy rainforest and cascading mountain streams.

There is no permanent accommodation inside Udzungwa National Park. However, as it is only a comfortable one hour drive from Mikumi National Park, we suggest a visit as a day excursion from either Vuma Hills Tented Camp or Foxes Safari Camp .