Udzungwa Mountains National Park

World Biodiversity Hot spots

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Udzungwa Mountains National Park was established in 1992 and officially opened by the former President and founder of WWF (World Wildlife Fund for Nature) Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. The word “Udzungwa” comes from the word “Wadsungwa” referring to one of the native sub tribes of the “Hehe” people who once lived in the slopes of the mountains.

The park covers an area of 1990km2 where geographically, 20% of the total area lies in Morogoro region while the remaining 80% being in the southern highland region of Iringa.

Park headquarters are found in Mang’ula village, about 65km south of Mikumi along Mikumi – Ifakara road off the Dar Es Salaam – Mbeya highway. It is 380km from Dar Es Salaam.

Sanje Waterfall

How To Get There

By road network from Dar es Salaam (380km) as well as Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Mbeya. There are two airstrips Msolwa and Kilombero which can be used by tourist through air transport before they connect using hired vehicles to the park’s main gate.

 NOTE: Transport arrangements must be made with the bus companies, tour operators and air travelling agents for those who use charter/air transport through provided timetables for dates and times of both departure and arrival for park visit.

Best Time for Park Visit

Dry season (June – September) and wet season (November – March) when wild flowers are flourishing and plentiful of butterflies. For bird watchers, December – February is their best time as most migratory birds are nesting in the park.

Park Attractions

These are places of interest inside the park, where  t ourists can visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure, adventure and amusement.

Waterfalls

The park has a lot of natural water falls as river streams are flowing producing the fascinating sounds in the heavy forest.

Natural trails for hiking

The Park offers chance to go summit to highest peaks of Luhomero and Mwanihana. The activity can best be carried out throughout the year, but dry season is the most convenient time for most mountain climbers.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Reptiles and Amphibians with the endemic Udzungwa lizards (Cnemaspis Udzungwae) and Phrynobatrachus Udzungwensis together with endemic chameleon (Bearded pygmy chameleon).

Juvenile Black Mamba

Tropical Rain forest

Tropical Rainforest with 2500 different plant species including three endemic plants and 160 plant species of medicinal value.

Sanje Crested Mangabey and Iringa Red Colobus Monkeys

Eleven primate species with two being endemic (Sanje Crested Mangabey and Iringa Red Colobus Monkeys).

Collabus Monkey

Black and White Collabus monkey

Tourism Activities

The park has various tourism activities that visitors can do during their stay. These activities includes; Mountain Climbing to the highest Peaks of Mwanihana (2500m amsl) and Luhomero (2576m amsl), Bird Watching, Swimming, Nature Walks on the Forest and Waterfalls, Picnicking, Filming, Cycling (Organized by the Park and carried outside the Park), Camping and Cultural Tourism.

Mountain Climbing

Mountain climbing – Offers chance to go summit to highest peaks of Luhomero and Mwanihana. The activity can best be carried out throughout the year, but dry season is the most convenient time for most mountain climbers.

Udzungwa mountains Picks

Bird watching

Bird Watching – Done along all trails, roads and entire forest where most bird species (native and migratory) depending on seasonal variations, availability of food and materials for nesting can be seen. The endemic Udzungwa Forest Partridge and Rufous Winged Sunbird can be seen through specific details of their location and behavior provided by the park guides.

Photographing and Filming

It is also the most recreational activity that can be done throughout the year, the best quality photos and films require a silent and calm environment (out of human activities if it is all about nature) thence in all cases, the activities are recommended. During short rains, photographic safaris can be more exciting in the park as it is the time when wild flowers flourish and there is abundance of butterflies. Moreover, most migratory birds can be seen during this time which is between December and February

Camping

Camping – Nature camping is mainly done in specified areas for camping in the park called campsites. While at resting potential at a campsite, one can view and feel the natural forest, the voices from forest birds, insects and nocturnal animals without forgetting amazing sounds of water flowing downstream the whole night through.

Cycling

Cycling is organized and done outside the park to villages close to the park and rubber plantations. Tourists can take time to learn the native farming and irrigation patterns, view the local dress patterns, traditional dances and taste the local foodstuff and beverages. It is one of the exciting muscle stretching activity that complements the nature based tourism.

Cultural tourism

The eastern part of the park is covered by a dense evergreen tropical rainforest which is a source of so many permanent rivers that pour water into the great Kilombero valley, having these rivers and natural ponds just at the bottom of several waterfalls make the swimming in the park to be carried out throughout the year in specified locations inside the park. Visitors are advised to bring in their swimming gears/costumes in order to enjoy the activity.

Swimming

Cycling

Cycling is organized and done outside the park to villages close to the park and rubber plantations. Tourists can take time to learn the native farming and irrigation patterns, view the local dress patterns, traditional dances and taste the local foodstuff and beverages. It is one of the exciting muscle stretching activity that complements the nature based tourism.

Accommodation

The Park provides a variety of accommodations which are found inside and outside the park. Beautiful public and special camping grounds are available inside the park.

Twiga Hotel

Positioned 500m from parks main entrance gate. Maximum capacity is 30 bedding (fourteen self contained bedrooms with AC). Camping around the/within the hotel compound can be done through specific rates for camping.

Campsites

The Park has almost 12 camping areas located in areas with beautiful scenery and in the wild cool mountain forest.

Hondohondo Luxury Camp

Luxury tented camp located 2kms from the park which is privately owned and operated by Hondohondo/Wildthings.

Visit Udzungwa Mountains National Park Today…

Support the work of Udzungwa National Park by visiting the park ans seeing the wildlife that calls this place home.Visiting the parks helps support local livelihood and help protect wildlife for generations to come.