Udzungwa Mountains National Park Hiking Trails

Trail Name: Lumemo River Trail

Day 1.
The trail design team started walking at the Lumemo Ranger post (UTM 37 243101E 9114605N, 340 m asl), this short trail (3 hours walk) passes through overgrown grassland and miombo woodland to the first campsite (UTM 37 243690 E 9119429 N, 340 m asl) next to the Lumemo River. Lumemo Ranger Post was originally planned to be near campsite 1. We recommend that this site (UTM 37 243274 E 9119556, 342 m asl) is developed as a permanent campsite and trailhead. To facilitate this, the road to this site needs to be maintained vehicular access re-established.

Day 2
The trail follows the Lumemo River to a major tributary (UTM 37 244904 E 9125177 N, 332 m asl). This section offers excellent game viewing opportunities, a lone buffalo, duiker, primates, elephant mineral digging site (UTM 37 245111 E 9123648 N Photograph 16) and a pair of Pel’s fishing owls were seen (UTM 37 245037E 9123825 N). On meeting the tributary the trail turns north-east following the tributary to campsite number 2. This section passed through head high grasses with some woodland and riverine forest walking and mainly utilised old elephant/ poacher’s routes. It is recommended that an alternative campsite is located before campsite 2 at UTM 37 244932 E 9125173 N, to offer a shorter trail for slower groups. The trail design team walked this section in 7 hrs 40 mins, minus 1hr for lunch and numerous rest and animal viewing stops.

Day 3.
The trail continues to follow the tributary to its source in a narrow valley, passing a small waterfall Photograph 20, travelling along an old elephant path through a cool shady section of riverine forest. In a small stream in this area the trail design team saw a large rock python hunting in the stream Photograph 22. The trail continues over the ridge that separates the first tributary from a second that flows northwards to the Lumemo. The trail follows this second tributary almost to the river, but shortcuts to the main river passing through a cutting created by elephants over hundreds of years. At the Lumemo (UTM 37 248069 E 9134159 N, 415m asl) the trail crosses to the western bank, involving a fairly deep river crossing that offers an excellent opportunity for a wash or swim Photograph 14. The trail follows the Lumemo past some rocky rapids and waterfalls (where signs of otter were seen Photograph 15) to an attractive quiet stretch where campsite 3 was established (UTM 37 248186 E 913910 N, 460 m asl). Here giant kingfishers and other water birds can be seen, and small Zanzibar bushbabies and owls can be heard at night in the riverine forest. Opposite this camp on the eastern riverbank are several large impressive Mvule trees. The team walked this section in 8hrs minus 1.5hrs for lunch and numerous rest / observation stops.

Day 4.
The trail follows a good elephant path through a mixture of woodland and riverine forests until a tributary running slightly ‘white’ (UTM 37 249069 E 9134910 N, 460m asl). The team followed the elephant path along the tributary, however this trail heads in the wrong direction (west). This section of the route should be ignored and a trail established that follows the main Lumemo River. The trail rejoins the Lumemo River passing water cascades see Photograph 18 and Photograph 19 (UTM 37250251 9135941 N, 459m asl) with good swimming pools, picnic sites and views of Luhombero Mountain. The trail then makes several river crossings cutting across meanders in the river before reaching campsite 4 (UTM 37 251248 E, 9138552 N, 500m asl) situated next to the river and an animal crossing point. This section of the trail was walked in 8hrs minus 1.5hrs for lunch and numerous rest stops.

Day 5.
The trail follows the Lumemo making four shallow easy river crossings. After approximately 1hr the trail meets the confluence of the tributaries draining from Luhombero on the west and Mwanihana on the east (UTM 37 251378 E 9139017 N). This is a significant point as shortly afterwards the trail turns west and starts to climb a spur leaving the Lumemo below. The climb takes you out of the valley (522 m asl) up to the base of Mwanihana (890m asl) and is quite steep in places. Once out of the valley and up on the main ‘plateau’ which has numerous small streams and hills, there is a network of elephant paths that leads to campsite 5 (UTM 37 258248 E 9139034 N, 937m asl). Elephants were seen in this area. The trail is very unclear in parts and requires slashing and a good guide. This section of the trail was walked in 8 hrs minus 1.5hrs for lunch and numerous rest stops.

Day 6
The trail to Njia Panda campsite (UTM 37 260165 E 9138456 N, 950 m asl) passes through undulating hills with woodland, grassland, Afromomum glades, and forest. This section of the trail is very enjoyable, as the habitat becomes dense and lush. Several more small streams are crossed and the trail needs clearing. At the Njia Panda campsite hikers can decide whether to climb Mwanihana peak or not! From Njia Panda camp the trail connects to the Mwanihana peak trail, from where it is fast and easy to follow the well-cleared trail down to the main road, via Mizimu camp. This last section of the trail was walked in 8hrs minus 1.5hrs for lunch and numerous rest stops.