Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a protected area located in south-central Tanzania, in the Eastern Arc Mountains. It was established in 1992 and covers an area of approximately 1,990 square kilometres (770 square miles). The park is known for its rich biodiversity, unique flora and fauna, and stunning landscapes.
The park comprises of a breathtaking Scenery characterized by rolling hills, deep valleys, and lush forests. The Udzungwa Mountains offer some of the most picturesque landscapes in Tanzania.
The park is rich in biodiversity, Udzungwa is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including numerous endemic species. The Eastern Arc Mountains, to which the park belongs, are recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot. The park is particularly known for its primate population, including the rare and endangered Udzungwa red colobus monkey.
The park is a popular destination for hikers and trekkers. It offers a network of well-maintained trails, with varying levels of difficulty. The most famous trail is the Sanje Waterfalls trail, which leads to a series of cascading waterfalls and offers panoramic views of the park. Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 400 species of birds documented in the area, including many endemics and other rare species. The park contains pristine montane rainforests, which are important for conservation and research. These forests are rich in plant diversity and harbours various endemic species.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is vital for the conservation of its unique and endangered species. Efforts are made to protect the environment and promote sustainable tourism in the region.
Remote and Less Crowded. Unlike some of Tanzania’s more popular national parks, Udzungwa Mountains National Park is relatively less crowded and provides a quieter and more remote wilderness experience.
Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of activities such as; guided hikes, camping, and nature exploration. It is essential to check the park’s regulations and obtain the necessary permits before visiting. Udzungwa Mountains National Park is an excellent destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and those interested in experiencing the natural beauty and wildlife of Tanzania.

Attractions in Udzugwa mountains national park.

Wildlife:
Udzungwa national park is home to a number of wildlife species because it has got abundant wildlife including animals like elephants, hunting dogs, leopards, duikers, buffaloes, bushbucks, six primate species like Iringa red colobus and Sanje mangabey which are only found in Udzungwe mountains national park.

Birds:
With approximately 400 bird species, including endemics to the eastern arc and forest bird species, Udzugwa Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania’s top destinations for birdwatchers. Among the bird species that can be seen are the woodland kingfisher, crowned eagle, green-headed oriole, marabou stork, ruppell’s vulture, and silvery-checked hornbill.

Top things to do in Udzungwa mountains national park.

Bird watching;
Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of the best places to go bird watching because it is home to over 400 different bird species, including endemic, forest, and water birds. A knowledgeable bird guide can help you spot various bird species in the park early in the morning or late at night. These include the rufous winged sunbird, African marabou, crowned eagle, kilombero weaver, white-tailed cisticola, uluguru violet-backed sunbird, Retz’s helmet shrike, black and white shrike flycatcher, living stones turaco, palm nut vulture, trumpeter hornbill, green

Hiking:

Due to the lack of game drives on the park’s roads, this is one of the main activities. An armed park ranger will be assigned to you for the duration of your hiking safari after you receive a briefing at the park headquarters. He or she will keep you safe from harm and show you different trails to use. The Sonje waterfalls trail, which takes about 4 hours to complete and offers views of the stunning 170-meter waterfall, views of monkeys, and the opportunity to swim in waterfall plunge pools, is the most popular of the park’s many hiking trails. Other trails range from short 20-minute strolls to five-day hikes to the Lumemo trail.
The longest hike in the park, which lasts nearly a day, is the Hidden Valleys Trail. It takes around 6 to 7 hours to hike through the Njokamoni and Moyer rivers, green valleys, and tracks left by elephants and buffalo.

Sonjo waterfall trail:
Because the trail is short and the path is not steep, it is an excellent hiking trail for those who are not as experienced. You can see many bird species, monkeys, and plant species while climbing to Sonjo waterfall, which takes around 35 minutes to reach after passing through beautiful rain forest.

Prince Berhards waterfalls:

This park’s Bernhard Waterfall is named after the Dutch nobleman of the same name. When he founded the Udzunghwa Mountains National Park, he was around 84 years old and unable to trek up to the Sanje waterfalls, so he instead took the short trail that leads 500 meters from the park headquarters.

Mwanihana peak trail:
The Miombo woods, grassy plateaus, montane forest, bamboo forest, diverse occupants, and Sonjo route are all traversed by this trail, which begins in Sonjo hamlet. You can see elephants, various plant types, vibrant bird species, and lovely landscape when trekking the Mwanihana peak trail, among other things.
Njonkamoni waterfalls trail:
Because it is roughly 6.5 km long and rises to a comparable altitude as the Sonje waterfalls route, it is another trail. Since the trail is less traveled, you may see monkeys along the way.

Cycling:

One of the places in Tanzania that offers the thrilling cycling activity is the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, where you may use a bicycle to travel throughout the area. Cycling begins with a briefing at the park headquarters where you will be assigned a knowledgeable park guide who is familiar with the park’s animals and recommended routes. You can experience African village life while cycling, where you can see and interact with the locals and see wildlife species like elephants, duikers, and bushbucks as well as colorful bird species. You can also visit plantations for rubber and sugarcane, among other things, to create lifelong memories. You can rent bicycles in Hondo Hondo or the Udzungwa Forest Camp.

How to get to Udzungwa Mountain

How to get to Udzungwa Mountains national park.
The national park is accessible by road, train, and air travel and is situated 360 kilometers west of Dar es Salaam, about 60 kilometers from Mikumi National Park.

Road transport.
There are several methods to get reach the park by private or self-driving vehicle when using road transportation. As a result, it will take you around 4 hours to drive from Dar es Salaam to the park headquarters via Chalinze, Morongoro, Mikumi national park, and Mikumi town.

Train:
You can use the Tazara railway from Dar es Salaam to Zambia on Tuesdays and Fridays to get to Udzungwa National Park. About a 6- to 7-hour trip from Dar es Salaam to the park’s administrative center passes via the Selous Game Reserve, where you may see a variety of wildlife.

Air transport:
You can also get to Udzungwa National Park by air, taking scheduled or private flights from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar to Udzungwa or Kilombero. You can drive to Udzungwa National Park after taking a flight from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi Airport.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park is located in Tanzania, and getting there typically involves a combination of air and road travel.
Fly to Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Airport: Most international travellers arrive in Tanzania via Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Airport. Dar es Salaam is the major entry point for international flights, but Kilimanjaro International Airport may be more convenient if you plan to visit other parks in the northern part of the country.
Travel to Morogoro: Udzungwa Mountains National Park is located near the town of Morogoro. From Dar es Salaam, you can take a domestic flight to Morogoro, or you can opt for a bus or private car. The drive from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro takes around 3-4 hours.

Travel to the Park from Morogoro: Once you arrive in Morogoro, you can hire a local guide and arrange for transportation to the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The park’s headquarters are located in Mang’ula Village, which is the starting point for many of the park’s hiking trails.
The park offers a range of hiking and trekking opportunities, and you can explore the beautiful forests, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife in the area. Be sure to check with park authorities for any entry fees and permits required for your activities.

Best time to visit Udzungwa Mountains National park.

The best time to visit Udzungwa Mountains National Park is from June to October during the dry season, when there is less rainfall than in the wet season, when the trails are muddy and slippery. The park is open all year round, but the best time to visit is from June to October.

Accommodations:

There are a few lodges and campsites within the park and in nearby villages. You can arrange accommodation based on your preferences and budget. The lodges are categorised in to luxury, Mid-range to Budget lodges designed to meet both the interest of local and international clines.

Where to stay on during your safari in Udzungwa national park.

The Udzungwa Mountains National Park offers a variety of places for you to stay while on a safari. There are a variety of lodging options, including Angalia Tented Camp, Udzungwa Mountain View Camp, Hondo Hondo Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp, Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp, and Udzungwa Falls Lodge

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