Udzungwa Mountain National Park

Covering an area of 1,990 sq km (770 sq miles), Udzungwa Mountain National Park harbours one of the greatest forests of East Africa.

The main special feature of the park is the unique diversity. The habitats consist of tropical rainforests, mountain forests, Miombo woodlands, and grasslands. Formed some 200 million years ago, the Udzungwa Mountains hold a unique collection of flora and fauna.

From a tiny African violet to 30-metre high trees, the park harbours some of the special plants that found nowhere else in the world.

Walking safaris along the Sanje River waterfalls is one of the popular activities in this park. A visit to the park can be combined with Mikumi National Park which is just one hour drive to the north of the park.

The park is good to visit throughout the year; the dry season offers the best view. The wet season is a bit slippery, so generally avoided by the visitors.

The Wildlife

The park is a habitat to about six species of primates among which two are indigenous namely red colobus monkey and the Sanje Crested Mangabey.

In addition to this, the park is also home to contains populations of elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, hyenas, African hunting dogs bush bucks, duikers, palm civets, Miombo genets and many more.

The Birdlife

With 400 different bird species, Udzungwa National Park holds a rich habitat for colourful and gorgeous birds.

The most seen birds include yellow-collared lovebird, Pemba green pigeon, Pemba scops owl, Usambara eagle-owl, Beesley’s lark, Usambara hyliota , Usambara akalat, Iringa akalat, Rubeho akalat, banded sunbird, Moreau’s sunbird, rufous-winged sunbird, Tanzania seedeater, rufous-tailed weaver, Kilombero weaver, Tanganyika masked weaver and Usambara weaver.