Udzungwa
Mountains National Park
Location:
Udzungwa Mountain National Park is recently established
conservation area of 1,990 sq. km (770 sq miles); South
central Tanzania in Iringa and Morogoro regions in the Eastern
Arc Mountains. Udzungwa is about 10km south west of
Mikumi National Park. Park HQ is at Mangula.
Background:
The word "Udzungwa" is probably a linguistic corruption
possibly by the Germans of the word "Wadsungwa" which means
the people who live on the slopes of the Mountains.
The Eastern Arc Mountains, which are almost entirely in
Tanzania, have been described as the "Galapagos Island of
Africa". They are arcs shaped hence the name. The importance
of protecting these mountains with National Park status gained
momentum in the late 1980's. Support for the effort to
establish the park, and for Basic Park infrastructure, was
provided by WWF.
The bill to establish the park was passed by a resolution of
the National Assembly on 23rd of January 1992 and the
President Proclamation announced the new park on the 29th
February 1992. The Founder President of WWF, HRH Prince
Bernhard of the Netherlands, officially opened Udzungwa
Mountains National Park on 20th October 1992.
Main features:
The major attraction of park is
its biodiversity and unique rain forest, where many rare
plants not found anywhere else in the world, have been
identified, from tiny African violet to 30 metre high trees.
It is also unique within Tanzania in that its closed-canopy
forest spans altitudes of 250 metres (820 feet) to above 2,000
metres (6,560 ft) without interruption. Also a home of about
six types of primates, including four endemic species both
occur nowhere else in the world – the Iringa red
Colobus monkey, the Sanje crested mangabey, Matundu
galago and Mountain dwarf galago – the plateau supports
even if they are not often seen by visitors,
animals like; leopard, elephant, buffalo and hyena. So,
depending on where and when you go, you may need escort by an
armed ranger. Wild dogs as well as rare species of
forest birds, four of which were only discovered last
few years are commonly spotted. Real biodiversity
hotspot!! 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
bird watching and the park receives very few tourists.
Activities:
From a two-hour
hike to the waterfall to camping safaris. Combine with nearby
Mikumi, or en route to Ruaha, Selous, or Katavi.
Classic Udzungwa descriptive Itinerary:
Main activity in
Udzungwa is walking. Available trails and itinerary for
Udzungwa provided by Classic Tours & Safaris is shown below:
|
Name
of trail |
Distance
/ duration |
Lunchbox |
Camping
gear |
|
Sonjo |
2.5km/3hrs |
no |
no |
|
Sanje |
5km/4hrs |
yes |
no |
|
Lumemo
|
65 km (5 days/nights
|
yes |
yes
|
|
Prince
Bernhard |
1km/40minutes |
no |
no |
|
Mwanihana |
38km
(3days/2 Nights) |
yes |
yes |
NB: The distance/duration is go and return. Classic
Tours & Safaris advise to hire a guide for a day walk and a
ranger for a long walk.
Trail
attractions:
Classic Tours & Safaris will
take you through Udzungwa Mountain National Park to experience
to the fullest the trails up the peak.
|
Trail name |
Attractions |
|
Sonjo
|
2
waterfalls, primates
4
species endemics: Sanje crested Mangabey, Iringa red
Colobus, Matundu galago and Mountain dwarf galago,
birds, miombo vegetation |
|
Sanje |
3 waterfalls
in stages that drop from 200m, 70m and 40m respectively,
primates, birds, butterflies, a variety of vegetation |
|
Prince Bernhard
|
Small
waterfall, baboons, primates, red duiker, birds, good
Bokela Mountain view |
|
Mwanihama
|
The summit
is at 2500m and trail passes through different vegetation
types according to altitude Mwanihana is
more challenging trail that leads to the high plateau,
with its panoramic views over surrounding sugar
plantations, before ascending to Mwanihana peak, the
second-highest point in the range. |
|
Lumemo |
The trail
passes along the saddle between Luhomero and Mwanihama
peaks. May encounter herds of buffalo, elephant and good
bird watching. |
Getting there:
Udzungwa Mountain National Park is accessible by road from
Dar es Salaam or Arusha.
Its about a 5 hour drive from
Dar es Salaam 12 hours from Arusha and 2 hours from
Mikumi National
Park.
When to
visit:
Possible all
year round although slippery in the rains. The dry season is
June-October before the short rains but be prepared for rain
anytime.
For further
information on trails and guided hiking trips for groups
please ask to the
Classic Tours & Safaris; Your friends in Tanzania for
greatest safaris, unlimited adventure.
