Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of the best parks to visit on Tanzania safari. In 2015, this park was ranked the third best place to visit by the New York Times. It is situated south of Mikumi National Park and it is popular as the Galapagos of Africa. It takes its name from the word Wadsungwa which denotes Kihehe language as people living on the mountainside.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park was established in 1992 and it sits in an area of about 1990sq.kms. It is popular as one of the best parks with varying elevations comprising forests, primates, wildlife that are endemic to this area alone. The vegetation in Udzungwa Mountains National Park consists of tropical rain-forest, miombo woodland, grassland, steppe, and mountain forest. Over 2500 species of plants are confined in this park alone and it is rated as the second park in Africa with the largest biodiversity.
Attractions in Udzungwa Mountains National Park
- Wildlife
Approximately 6 distinct primate species live in Udzungwa Mountains National Park and 5 of these are endemic species. They include Iringa red colobus monkeys and Sanje crested mangabeys which can be spotted only in this park. The other primates to sight in this park include yellow baboons, vervet monkeys, mountain dwarf galago, black colobus monkeys, white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, rungwecebus kipunji, Other wildlife species to look out for in this park include duikers, elephants, waterbucks, wild dogs, leopards, Klipspringers, rock hyrax, bushbucks, hyenas, miombo genets, palm civets.
- Birdlife
The bird species in Udzungwa National Park are estimated to be 400 and they include malachite kingfishes, silvery cheeked hornbills, trumpeter hornbills, Ruppel’s vultures, marabou storks, Rufous-winged sunbird, green-headed oriole, crowned eagles, woodland kingfishers to mention but a few.
Other attractions include the Udzungwa Mountains which are known for their breathtaking views, Sanje waterfalls.
Activities to do in Udzungwa Mountains National Park
- Hiking
In case you love hiking, a visit to Udzungwa Mountains National Park is worth your time. Hiking experience in this park lets you enjoy incredible views of the surrounding areas, sceneries and also sight variety of birds, butterflies, primates and many other wildlife species. There are designated hiking trails that also take you up to the beautiful waterfalls.
- Game viewing
Game viewing in Udzungwa Mountains National Reserve involves sighting variety of wildlife species including among others elephants, waterbucks, duikers, wild dogs, leopards, Klipspringers, rock hyrax, bushbucks, hyenas, miombo genets, palm civets as well as primates such as red colobus monkeys, Sanje crested mangabeys, yellow baboons, vervet monkeys, mountain dwarf galago, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, rungwecebus kipunji and not to forget bird sights.
- Guided nature walks
Guided nature walks introduce you to the Udzungwa Mountains National Reserve’s hidden gem. You get a chance to explore a variety of primates, birds, wildlife, butterflies, plants and many more.
- Best time to visit Udzungwa Mountains, National Park
The dry season is considered the best time to visit Udzungwa Mountains National Reserve for wildlife viewing. This starts in the months of June, July, August, September, and October.
- How to get to Udzungwa Mountains National Park
The best way to get to the Udzungwa Mountains National Reserve is by road or by air. By road, visitors can drive from Dar-es-Salaam to this park and this may take you approximately 4 hours via Chalinze, Morogoro and then to Mikumi National Park where you can connect to Mikumi Town. From Mikumi Town, take your left where you can see signposts of Udzungwa Mountains National Park and Ifakara.
By air, fly from Julius Nyerere International Airport and Kilimanjaro Airport to Kilombero airstrip which is 24kms away from Udzungwa Mountains National Reserve.
Tanzania Mountain Hiking Safari
Related Tanzania National Parks – Where to go for a Tanzania Wildlife Safaris Tour
Serengeti National Park is remarkably one of the oldest and the most popular national parks in the world. This protected area lies between the Mara and Simiyu region of Tanzania. It was founded in 1951 and in 1979, it was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Serengeti National Park sits in an area of about 15000sq.km and it largely consists of woodland. View Details Here
Arusha National Park is rated among the smallest parks in Tanzania and it lies in the Northeastern side of the country. It is 25kms from Arusha, 58kms away from Moshi Town and 35kms from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Despite its size, this park is by far one most unusual wilderness area to consider a must-visit on Tanzania safari. It was founded in 1960. View Details Here
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a magnificent wilderness area of its own and also a designated World Heritage Site that is worth exploring on Tanzania safari. It is an extensive protected area with stunning volcanic Ngorongoro Crater and also features as a home to complete big five African game. This conservation area was founded in 1959 and occupies an area of 8292sq.kms. View Details Here
Tarangire National Park takes its name from Tarangire River and exceptionally, it features among a few safari parks which offer tourists on Tanzania safari with unique and authentic experiences. This park straddles within the Northern circuit of Tanzania, Lake Manyara region and it is famous for its large herds of elephant migration which make it an excellent Tanzania safari destination. View Details Here
Lake Manyara National Park is of no doubt one of Tanzania’s exceptional safari parks tourists on Tanzania safari should consider a must-visit. It is approximately 126kms Southwest of Arusha Town. Lake Manyara National Park was founded in 1960 and it covers an area of only 330sq.kms which makes it one of the smallest parks in Tanzania. Lake Manyara National Park is surrounded by Tarangire National Park and Serengeti National Park. View Details Here
Mahale Mountains National Park is set along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Kigoma area Western Tanzania. Compared to other protected areas, Mahale Mountains National Park is remotely located providing tourists on Tanzania safari with exceptional wilderness experiences. It takes its name from the Mahale Mountain range which lies at its border. Mahale Mountains National Park. View Details Here
Kilimanjaro National Park is undoubtedly one of the most magical Tanzania safari destinations. It derives its name from the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro which itself it an outstanding safari site to explore on Tanzania safari. This park is set near Moshi Town in the Northern side of Tanzania above the rolling hills and plateau of Amboseli National Park. View Details Here
Ruaha National Park is set in the heart of Tanzania, approximately 130kms away from Western Iringa Town. This park was founded in 1964 and it is named after the Great Ruaha River that flows on its Southeastern side. It sits in an area of about 20226sq.kms making it the most extensive national park in Tanzania and East Africa at large. It covers a section. View Details Here
Rubondo Island National Park is one of the 2 only stunning island safari parks which straddle in the islands of Lake Victoria. From western Mwanza, this protected area is 153kms away and its highest point is Masa Hills in the South which stands at altitude of about 1486m. It was gazetted as a game. View Details Here