Udzungwa Mountains National Park

🌿 Udzungwa Mountains National Park – Tanzania

📍 Location

  • Country: Tanzania

  • Region: Kilombero District, south-central Tanzania

  • Nearest Town: Ifakara or Mikumi

  • Distance from Dar es Salaam: ~350 km (approx. 6–7 hours by road)

🌍 Overview

  • Size: ~1,990 km²

  • Established: 1992

  • Elevation Range: ~300 to 2,576 meters (Mount Luhombero – highest peak)

  • Part of: The Eastern Arc Mountains — one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots

  • Nicknamed: “The African Galápagos” due to its high level of endemism

🌿 What Makes It Unique?

  • Unlike savanna parks, Udzungwa is a tropical rainforest park — with no roads inside!

  • Not focused on “big game” — instead, it’s famous for:

    • Rare and endemic primates

    • Waterfalls, rainforest hiking, and birdwatching

    • Beautiful forest canopy, montane grasslands, and bamboo thickets

🐾 Wildlife

🐒 Primates (11 species total, 5 endemic):

  • Udzungwa red colobus monkey (endemic)

  • Sanje mangabey (endemic, only discovered in 1979!)

  • Angolan black-and-white colobus

  • Sykes’ monkey, baboons, vervets

🐘 Other Mammals:

  • Elephants (very shy)

  • Bushbucks, duikers

  • Leopards (rarely seen)

🐦 Birds:

  • Over 400 species

  • Including Udzungwa forest partridge and Rufous-winged sunbird (both endemic)

  • Makes it a top birding destination in East Africa

🐍 Reptiles & Amphibians:

  • Several endemic frogs, chameleons, and snakes

🥾 Activities

🌄 Hiking & Trekking

  • Main activity in the park — no vehicle safaris

  • Trails vary from easy nature walks to multi-day treks

Popular Trails:

  1. Sanje Waterfall Hike – Most popular

    • ~3–6 hours round-trip

    • 170-meter waterfall, scenic views, great for swimming

  2. Hidden Valleys Trail

    • 2-day hike, with camping

    • Offers solitude and deep forest exploration

  3. Luhombero Peak Trek

    • 2–3 days, very challenging

    • Highest point in the park at 2,576 m

    • Requires guide and ranger

🐦 Birdwatching

  • Early morning and evening walks ideal

  • Guided birding tours available

🗓️ Best Time to Visit

Season Months Conditions
Dry Season June – October Best for hiking, waterfalls flowing
Green Season November – May Lush and beautiful, but trails muddy
Peak Wet March – May Not ideal for trekking; leeches, slippery trails

💰 Park Fees (as of 2024)

Visitor Type Entry Fee (per day)
Foreign Adult ~$30–35 USD
Foreign Child ~$15–20 USD
Tanzanian Citizen ~5,000–10,000 TZS
Guide + Ranger Fee Required for hikes (extra)

Confirm with TANAPA or your tour operator

🚗 Getting There

🛣️ By Road:

  • From Dar es Salaam:

    • ~6–7 hours to Mikumi → then 1.5 hours to Udzungwa gate (Mang’ula)

    • Combine easily with Mikumi National Park

🚉 By Train:

  • The Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) passes nearby (Mang’ula Station)

🛫 By Air:

  • Fly to Mikumi airstrip or Ifakara, then drive to the park

🏨 Where to Stay

🏕️ In or Near the Park:

  • Udzungwa Forest Camp (“Hondo Hondo”) – eco-lodge, closest to the park gate

  • Twiga Hotel, Udzungwa Falls Lodge – budget to mid-range

  • Public Campsites – available inside the park (basic facilities)

🌟 Why Visit Udzungwa?

✅ Ideal for hikers, birders, and rainforest lovers
✅ No crowds – very peaceful and untouched
✅ Excellent addition to southern circuit (Mikumi, Ruaha, Selous)
✅ Unique biodiversity – many species found nowhere else on Earth
✅ Sanje waterfall is one of Tanzania’s most scenic waterfalls