Udzungwa Mountains Travel Guide – Botanical Diversity and Primates

Located west of Dar es Salaam, the Udzungwa Mountains rise up from the western edge of the Selous Game Reserve. Vervet monkeys play high in the forest canopy, and small forest antelope can be viewed at the right time of day. Botanical diversity is exceptional, and the park is host to a large number of endangered bird species. Views from the peaks of the mountains, towards the Selous Game Reserve and the distant Indian Ocean coast, are incredible and well worth the effort.

The Udzungwa Mountains offer visitors the opportunity to view several species of primates and endangered birds in a beautiful African rain forest. Five distinct trails cover the forests and mountain peaks within the park, and offer varying levels of difficulty for everyone from novices to experienced trekkers. Better yet, there are no roads through the Undzungwa Mountains National Park, so hikers have the area all to themselves.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park covers 1900-square-kilometre and was created in 1992 from several forest reserves. The mountains were formed more than 200 million years ago and geological changes have caused the rising of the central plateau which is now the Tanzania/Kenya Highlands, and the formation of the Rift valley.

Attractions in Udzungwa Mountains National Park

The Udzungwa Mountains National Park is renowned for being home to several endemic species as well as over 400 species of bird including the green-headed oriole and the forest partridge. There are also six types of primate in the area, two of which can be found nowhere else on earth, these are the Iringa red colobus and the Sanje Crested Mangabey. Also look out for buffalo, elephant, red-legged sun squirrel, red duiker, Abbot’s duiker, Livingstone’s suni, bush pig, bushbuck, tree frogs, spiders and elephant shrew.

Highlights of the Udzungwa National Park

1 Spot endemic species such as the Iringa red colobus monkey.
2 Hike to Mwanihana peak for unrivalled panoramic views.
3 Participate in a camping safari to get a real feel for the mountains atmosphere and beauty.

Activities in Udzungwa Mountains National Park

The Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a hiker’s paradise due to its extensive network of walking trails. For those who want a challenge why not try the two-night Mwanihana Trail which affords panoramic views over sugar plantations and ascends to Mwanihana peak, the second-highest point in the range. Or if you want to take a shorter trail there’s the half-day trail to Sanje Waterfall, a 550ft waterfall into the forest. For the ultimate adventure take the six day trail traversing the entire park or participate in camping safaris in the park.

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