UDZUNGWA MOUNTAIN

 Nurturing one of East Africans great forests, Udzungwa Mountain National Park. The Usangu plain lies to the northwest, drained by the Great Ruaha River and its tributaries. It was protected as a national forest reserve until 1992 when it was authorized as a National Park. The main attraction in this mountain includes; its biological diverse forest, nurturing some plant species found nowhere else in the world, 30-metre high trees.

Apart from the forest, which acts as a water catchment area and has a large number of endemic species of both animals and plants, the park has spectacular grasslands, mountain scenery, rivers, rocks 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. Apart from providing habitat to about six species of primates, its plateau contains populations of buffalos, lions, elephants, African hunting dogs and forest bird species.

Walking safaris to the Sanje River waterfalls 170 metres is one of the famous activities in this park. Udzungwa Mountains can conveniently be combined with game drives in nearby Mikumi National Park, an hour drive to the north, or be involved in the Ruaha National Park (4-5 hours drive) and Selous Game Reserve. 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.