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Accommodations in Udzungwa Mountains |
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Udzungwa
Mountains National Park Safaris with
Bush Routes Adventures
Udzungwa
Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania's newest
National Parks, recently gazette in 1992. The Udzungwa
Mountains are the highest mountains in the Eastern Arc
mountain range (a range of forest-clad mountains which
stretches from Southern Kenya to South Tanzania, known
as the 'Galapogos of Africa' due to the high degree of
endemism). The Eastern Arc makes up just 2% of the land
area in Tanzania and has around 40% of the plant and
animal species. This is a place of beautiful forests and
clear, sparkling streams where only walking is allowed.
The Udzungwa Mountains are the largest block of the
Eastern Arc with the range taking up over 10,000 square
kilometers. About 3000 of these make up the national
park. The Udzungwa reach a maximum altitude of 2,576m
at Luhomero Peak. The Udzungwa has the highest level of
endemism in the Eastern Arc making it a Biodiversity
Hotspot. It is possible to see up to 4 endemic species
in just one day if you know where to look.
The eastern escarpment of the Udzungwa supports sub-montane
forest with a canopy reaching over 50m in places.
Heading west the elevation decreases, where there are
arid conditions in the rain shadow of the mountains. The
boundary on the northern side of the Park is the Great
Ruaha River.
Udzungwa is described as a "Primate Park" due to the ten
species of primate living in it's pristine forests. Four
of the species are endemic including the Sanje Crested
Mangabey and the Iringa Red Colobus. Quiet hikers are
most likely to see the black and white Colobus Monkeys
Iringa Red Colobus and Sykes' Monkey. The park is also a
favourite amongst bird-watchers, with over 400 recorded
species. See our Specialist Itineraries - Bird Watching,
for more information.
A short hike of about 2 hours (slightly steep in places)
into the forest takes you to Sanje Falls, which is in
fact a series of waterfalls that plunge over 300m in
three seperate stages. The largest section, with a drop
of 180m can be seen from the road below, and it is at
the top you will find one of our favorite campsites.
Here you will be rewarded with breathtaking views across
Kilombero Valley and if you decide to stay the night you
will be treated to a spectacular sunrise breakfast.
Explore the pristine forest and take a refreshing swim
in one of the many plunge pools. Have a scenic lunch on
top of the falls and visit the endemic African Violets,
clinging to rocks next to one of the waterfalls.
For the keen hiker, Mwanihana peak at 2150m is one of
the highest peaks in the Eastern Arc. The 38km hike
takes 3 days, 2 nights at a leisurely pace, although for
the very fit it can be completed in 2 days. For those
who want to make the most of the hike we recommend that
you take your time as the trail passes through Miombo
woodland, low-land forest, sub-montane forest, highland
plateau and pristine montane forest. Just before the
bare rock and grass of the summit eerie glades of bamboo
rustle in the wind. This is, in terms of habitat and
associated wildlife, a very diverse journey. Much of the
trek is alongside sparkling mountain streams with
butterflies dancing through the dappled forest light.
This is also the most successful route for spotting the
elusive Sanje Mangabey. Although rarely encountered
there are also elephant and buffalo up on the plateau so
your trek will be accompanied by an armed ranger
Udzungwa trekking itinerary
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here
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