The Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania’s most outstanding and exciting wilderness areas, with unique wildlife species inhabiting this range of forests. Udzungwa is a primate park and there are currently 12 species of primate, including two found nowhere else in the world (the Sanje Mangabey and the Iringa Red Colobus). Udzungwa is home to approximately 400 species of bird, many of which are endemic to the area.
The park is treasured for the high level of biodiversity of birds and animals.
The mountain range is often referred to as “The Galapagos Islands of Africa” due to its rich levels of biodiversity and endemism (the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location).The park’s scenery is spectacular, with the rainforest spreading across rolling hills, valleys and mountains. The park has a number of impressive waterfalls, including Sanje Waterfalls, the highest waterfall in the National Parks system in Tanzania. Swimming in the plunge pools of the waterfalls is extremely refreshing following a hot hike!.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania’s most outstanding, and pristine paradise, a unique and exciting wilderness with forests of greatest altitudinal range. It is one of thirty-four “World Biodiversity Hotspots” and one of 200 WWF Ecoregions of global critical importance.
About Udzungwa Mountains National Park
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.
Size : 1,990 sq km (770 sq miles).
Location : Five hours (350 km/215 miles) from Dar es Salaam; 65 kms (40 miles) southwest of Mikumi.
When to go
Possible year round although slippery in the rains. The dry season is June-October before the short rains but be prepared for rain anytime.
Hiking in Udzungwa National Park
There are several trails ranging from short 20min strolls, to 5 day expeditions. The most popular hike is up to Sanje Waterfalls, looking for monkeys, swimming in plunge pools, and enjoying the spectacular view. This is the prime attraction for this area and if you are a keen walker then taking at least one of these hiking opportunities is strongly recommended.
Here Is a List Summary Of The Hiking Trails in The Udzungwa National Park:
– Sanje Waterfall
– Sonjo Waterfall
– Hidden Valleys Trail
– Prince Bernhards Waterfall
– Msolwa Waterfall
– Sanje Waterfall Camping
– Mwanihana Peak
– Lumeno Trail
Traditional Ngoma Drumming At The Camp
With the support and encouragement of Hondo Hondo , a small group of village farmers have formed a drumming group who perform a traditional “Ngoma” (meaning drum in Swahili) at Hondo Hondo on request. They also perform in the village at celebrations, weddings and at the end of the harvest. Some of the music is instrumental, with drums, percussion, whistles and some wind instruments and has a very energetic rhythm. The words to the songs are generally ad-lib (created live) and refer to current events and situations. This is a truly atmospheric experience beside a large log fire and burning torches.
Trail to The Njokamoni waterfalls
Njokamoni is a trail similar in length and altitude to Sanje – around 6.5km and ascending to around 700m. The trail begins at the park headquarters, and you can either set off from the bottom or join the Njokamoni trail after visiting Prince Bernhards falls. Njokamoni is less used, so its common to see several troupes of monkeys here, and possibly the troupe of habituated Mangebys.
Its a good climb with a few view points on the way, and Njokamoni waterfalls is an impressive 40m single drop into a shallow pool, ideal for sitting and splashing around. The path crosses the river and descends to the road. There is a path off to the right that leads directly down to Hondo Hondo popping out of the forest to join our nature trail around the site.