UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Known as the “Galapagos of Africa,” Udzungwa Mountains National Park is almost 2.000 sq km mountain range park in south central Tanzania with incredible diversity of tropical flora and fauna species. 

 

The Udzungwa Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains and are mostly within the Iringa Region, south of Tanzania’s capital Dodoma. 

The area was declared a national park in 1992. 

Activities in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park revolves around hiking and trekking, as the park has no roads and is accessible only on foot. 

 

A Udzungwa Mountains safari offers our guests the opportunity to explore the landscape on foot, with mountain ranges interspersed with rainforest and arid savannah. 

 

Dense, rich vegetation thrives here due to the significant rainfall that forms as a result of humidity from the Indian Ocean that condenses at Luhomero, the highest peak in the park.

On foot, our guests will find large numbers of primates including the diurnal sanje crested mangabey, rungwecebus kipunji, the endangered iringa red colobus, matandu dwarf galago and mountain dwarf galago. 

 

The vertical height of the Udzungwa forests ranges from 250m to 2.576m and with numerous forest trails, offering different kinds of activities, the park is a true hiker’s paradise. 

A half day tour at Sanje waterfall at a towering 170m is also a key attraction.

The Udzungwa Mountains have a good variety of wildlife and is home to many animals, including Abbott’s duiker, Kipunji and unusual animals such as the grey-faced sengi. 

Elephants live in the forests along the southern escarpment and six registered primate species call Udzungwa National Park their home. 

The Iringa red colobus and the Sanje crested mangabey live only in this area and nowhere else in the world. 

Stretching across the Eastern Arc mountain range, the park supports diverse wildlife, including the buffalo, lion, leopard, African wild dog and eland. 

Other mammal species to be found in the Udzungwa Mountains include the: Bushbuck, Sable, Greater Kudu, Harvey’s Red Duiker, Bush Duiker, Palm Civets, Miombo Genet, Hyena, Sun Squirrel, Elephants Shrew. 

Other primates include the Vervet Monkey, Sykes Monkey, Black and White Colobus, Yellow Baboon, Grant’s Galago, greater Galago, Highland Mangeby in the Ndundulu Forest, Matundu Dwarf Galago. 

Bird-watchers regard the area among the top three African mainland bird conservation areas. More than 400 species of birds have been recorded here including the African marabou, Crowned eagle, Ruppells vulture and the African hobby. 

 

There are multiple activities and things to do in Tanzania that can be added to your safari including walking safaris. 

Here are some other activities which our guests can consider during their visit to Udzungwa Mountains NP:

 

Explore the wildlife with Afrimine Tours authentic and economical means of exploring the wildlife and Njokamoni River, Moyer Rivers, grassy valleys with views of elephants and buffalo tracks, a hike of between 6 and 7 hours.

 

During a bike ride, our guests will be able to view beautiful scenery, wildlife species like elephants, duikers, bushbucks, colorful bird species, experience African village life, interact with locals and visit rubber and sugarcane plantations. 

 

Besides the incredible wildlife experience, our guests can head out and explore the gorgeous, commanding Sanje waterfall, a 4 hour hike.

 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park is about 360 km/7 hours drive west of Dar es Salaam, not far after Mikumi National Park.

 

Wildlife viewing in Udzungwa is fine throughout the year, the best time to visit however is from late June to October (the Dry season).

 

We organize excursions to Udzungwa Mountains National Park as tailor-made-tours only. Our guests are very happy to choose the combination with a safari in Mikumi and Ruaha National Park. 

Please contact our travel consultants for a bespoke itinerary.