| Udzungwa
Mountains National Park
Location:
South
central Tanzania in Iringa and Morogoro regions in the Eastern Arc
Mountains. The park offers the greatest altitudinal range of the
Eastern Arc Mountains and has an incredible range of biological
species as well as several endemic species. The undisturbed forest
areas offer good hiking opportunities and birdwatching and the park
receives very few tourists.
Park HQ is at Mangula.
How to get there:
TAZARA Train
From Dar es Salaam its about 8 hours to Mangula station, the gateway
to the Udzungwas.
Please note the TAZARA train is a public service
and as such can be subject to delayed departures or variations in
seat allocations to those shown on tickets.
By Road:
Its about a 6 hour drive from Dar es Salaam and 2 hours from Mikumi
NP.
UDZUNGWA
MOUNTAINS PHOTO GALLERY
Attractions:
Sanje waterfalls
The falls are in 3 stages that drop from 200m, 70m and 40m respectively.
All the falls have natural pools which provide refreshing swimming.
A primate park with 10 species of primates with
4 endemics :
Sanje Mangabey, Iringa red colobus, Matundu galago and Mountain
dwarf galago
Hiking trails
Several hiking trails have been established.
Sonjo Trail
– 6 km/3 hrs
Attractions – 2 waterfalls, primates, birds,
miombo vegetation
Sanje Circuit
– 5 km/4 hrs
Attractions – 3 waterfalls, primates, birds,
butterflies, a variety of vegetation
Prince
Bernhard Trail – 1 km/40 min
Small waterfall, baboons, primates, red duiker, birds, good views
of Bokela Mountain
Mwanihama
Trail – 38km, 3 days/2 nights
The summit is at 2500m and trail passes through different vegetation
types according to altitude
Mwanihana Trail article
Lumemo Trail
– 65 km, 5 days/4 nights
The trail passes along the saddle between Luhomero and Mwanihama
peaks. May encounter herds of buffalo, elephant and good birdwatching.
For further information on alternative trails and
specialized guided hiking trips for groups please ask for further
information
Where to Stay:
There are 2 basic hotels in Mangula. Campsites are being developed
along the hiking trails.
Day trips are possible from lodges in Mikumi.
In 2009 a new campsite has opened in Mangula - Udzungwa
Forest Campsite
Park Fees: $20p.p., guide fees
$10/group
UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS HIKING ITINERARIES
Option 1. 3 DAYS/2 NIGHTS - Sanje Waterfalls
Hike
DAY 1. UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS
Drive Dar-Mangula (approx 6 hours). Afternoonto relax at campsite
or visit the village.
O/n Hondo Hondo campsite or mudhut bandas. BB
DAY 2. UDZUNGWAS
Walk to the park HQ in the morning, and transfer to the start of
the Sanje Trail. Hike
into the pristine Eastern Arc forest looking for endemic primates
including the Sanje Crested Mangeby and the Iringa red Colobus.
On arrival at the top of the 180m Sanje waterfall you will have
the opportunity to relax by idyllic plunge pools and see endemic
African violets growing in the spray zones. Enjoy a spectacular
lunch overlooking the Kilombero Valley, descend in the afternoon
looking for primates and transfer back to Hondo Hondo Campsite -
camping or mud hut bandas. BB
DAY 3. UDZUNGWAS
After breakfast depart by car to Ruaha (approx 6 hours) or Mikumi
(approx 1 ½ hours).
Option 2. 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS Mwanihana Trail
DAY 1. UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS
Drive Dar-Mangula (approx 6 hours). Afternoonto relax at campsite
or visit the village.
O/n Hondo Hondo mudhut bandas. BB
DAY 2. UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS
Walk to the park HQ in the morning, and transfer to the start of
the Sanje Trail. Hike
into the pristine Eastern Arc forest looking for endemic primates
including the Sanje Crested Mangeby and the Iringa red Colobus .
On arrival at the top of the 180m Sanje waterfall you will have
the opportunity to relax at idyllic plunge pools and see endemic
African violets growing in the spray zones. Enjoy a spectacular
lunch overlooking the Kilombero Valley, descend in the afternoon
looking for primates and transfer to Hondo Hondo Campsite –
camping or mud hut bandas. BB
DAY 3. UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS
After breakfast you will transfer to the village of Sonjo and begin
the Mwanihana trek. You will be accompanied by a park ranger for
your protection as there are numerous elephant and buffalo in the
area.
As you trek you will learn about the tracks and signs in the forest
and various medicinal plants. After covering around 13km you will
reach Njia Ya Panda (the 'climbing path') Campsite where you will
have dinner and overnight. FB
DAY 4. UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS
Trek through the changing forest until you reach the summit of Mwanihana.
Here you will be in true montane vegetation amongst the Giant Ericas.
Below you will see a spiders web of elephant trails crisscrossing
the park. Descend and trek through the forest until you reach your
camp for the night. FB.
DAY 5. RUAHA
An early start, after breakfast hike for about an hour (looking
for Red Duiker and primates on the way) and a half before exiting
the forest to rejoin your safari vehicle and drive to Ruaha (approx
6 hours) or Mikumi (approx 1 ½ hours).
Kilombero Valley Game Controlled Area
The Kilombero Valley is located in Morogoro region,
southern Tanzania between the Udzungwa Mountains and the Mahenge
escarpment, part of the Eastern Arc Mountains.
The Kilombero Game Controlled Area is approximately 7000km2 and
could serve as a 'wildlife corridor' between the Selous Game Reserve
and Mikumi and Udzungwa National Parks. The Kilombero Valley is
a unique, complex ecosystem with one of the highest wild mammal
densities in Tanzania.
The main location to visit in Kilombero is the fishing village of
Mikeregembe. Located a kilometre form the border of the Selous G.R.
this idyllic village nestles between Boomerolanga Forest Reserve
and the Kilombero River.
The Kilombero valley contains the only sustainable population of
Puku in Tanzania and 3 endemic bird species (the Kilombero Weaver,
and 2 Cisticolla species). Its status as a Game Controlled Area
means that people still live in the valley in their traditional
manner, co-existing with wildlife. In Tanzania this presents a unique
chance to glimpse the rapidly disappearing past. Encouraging people
to visit Kilombero will stimulate local economy and encourage the
protection of the remaining threatened wildlife and habitat.
In addition to this unique cultural experience in the village, wildlife
highlights include canoeing past pods of hippo and herds of elephants.
The bird watching is however the main attraction of the Kilombero,
with many water birds and raptors.
KILOMBERO
CULTURAL TOURISM
When to visit:
Best time to visit is July/August/September/November/December/Jan.
The area is inaccessible March-June due to inundation - the floodplain
is the largest seasonal wetland in E.Africa.
Getting There:
The Kilombero Valley is accessed by road from the Udzungwa Mountains
National Park (1hr to Ifakara, then 1.5hrs to Mikeregembe by car/canoe)
or by train (Tazara from Dar 12hrs or Zambia) then road, both via
Ifakara. The trip to Kilombero works well when combined with Selous
and Udzungwas then a stop in Mikumi on the return to Dar. Special
itineraries available on request.
Where to Stay:
As Kilombero has no lodges or formal development for tourism only
camping is available and facilities are basic.
|