Udzungwa mountain national park

Harbouring one of East Africa’s great forests, Udzungwa Mountain National Park has an area of 1990 sq km, bordered by the Great Ruaha River to the north, with Mikumi National Park and Selous Game Reserve located further to the north and east. Protected as a national forest reserve until 1992 when it was commissioned as National Park, Udzungwa Mountains is undoubtedly one of the few true virgin and unique forested lands remaining in the world. The major attractions include its biologically diverse forest, harbouring some plant species found nowhere else in the world, from a tiny African violet to 30-metre high trees.
Apart from the forest, which acts as a water catchment area and having a large number of endemic species of both animals and plants, the park has spectacular mountains scenery, grasslands, rocks, rivers and waterfalls. One of the most interesting sights is the presence of two indigenous species of primates, the Iringa red colobus monkey and the Sanje Crested Mangabey, not known until 1979. Apart from providing habitat to about six species of primates, its plateau contains populations of elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, African hunting dogs and several forest bird species.
Walking safaris to the Sanje River waterfalls (170 metres) is one of the popular activities in this park. Udzungwa Mountains can conveniently be combined with game drives in nearby Mikumi National Park, an hour·s drive to the north, or be included in the Ruaha National Park (4-5 hours drive) and Selous Game Reserve itineraries. The park can be visited throughout the year although it is a bit slippery during the wet rainy season. The dry season extends from June to October.

Safari Highlights

• Location: Five hours (350 km/215 miles) from Dar es Salaam; 65 kms (40 miles) southwest of Mikumi
• Getting there: Drive from Dar es Salaam or Mikumi National Park.

What to do

• From a two-hour hike to the waterfall as well as camping safaris.
• Combine with nearby Mikumi or en route to Ruaha.
• Accommodation
• Camping inside the park
• Bring all food and supplies.
• Two modest but comfortable lodges with en-suite rooms within 1km of the park entrance
• Starting date: Any date specified by you
• Starting point: Moshi/Arusha/Kilimanjaro Airport/Arusha Airport
• Ending point: Moshi/Arusha/Kilimanjaro Airport/Arusha Airport

Whats is included

• Government tax and levy
• Arrival & Departure Transfers
• Quality waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
• Experienced and professional mountain guides
• All Park fees
• Rescue fees
• All meals while on the Mountain
• Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
• Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
• Portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
• Clean, purified drinking water
• Crisis management and safety procedures
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters
• Whats is NOT included
• Accommodation in Iringa
• Please bring your own sleeping bag but you can still rent them in Arusha at reasonable price paid once for the whole trip
• Tanzania Visa
• Gratitudes/Tipping for guide & porters
• Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Meals not listed above