UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Udzungwa Mountain National Park, dubbed “The Galapagos Islands of Africa”, has an exceptional bio diversity and is rightly classified as a World Biodiversity Hotspot.
It forms part of the Eastern Arc Mountains and is a pristine region of forested mountain wilderness that contains almost 40% of Tanzania’s flora and fauna species and 60 endemics found no where else in the world.
It forms part of the Eastern Arc Mountains and is a pristine region of forested mountain wilderness that contains almost 40% of Tanzania’s flora and fauna species and 60 endemics found no where else in the world.
The Udzungwa Mountains are the largest range in the Eastern Arc Mountains. They are also the most biologically diverse and are protected by several national parks; including the 1990 km2 Udzungwa Mountains National Park.
This ancient mountain chain (formed over 30 million years ago) covers almost 10,000 km2 and extends from Southern Kenya to Southern Central Tanzania.
The variable vegetation ranges from lowland tropical forest to sub-montane forest and on to montane forest. There are also areas of grassland and wetlands. Altitude varies from 250m to 2576m above-sea-level (the highest point being Lohomero).
The Udzungwas are famed for their endemic species. They boast 15 endemic vertebrates, another 27 Eastern Arc vertebrates and 36 Eastern Arc endemic trees.
A notable consequence is the greatly diverse birdlife, with the second highest diversity in Africa (behind only the Ituri forest in the D.R.C.).
This ancient mountain chain (formed over 30 million years ago) covers almost 10,000 km2 and extends from Southern Kenya to Southern Central Tanzania.
The variable vegetation ranges from lowland tropical forest to sub-montane forest and on to montane forest. There are also areas of grassland and wetlands. Altitude varies from 250m to 2576m above-sea-level (the highest point being Lohomero).
The Udzungwas are famed for their endemic species. They boast 15 endemic vertebrates, another 27 Eastern Arc vertebrates and 36 Eastern Arc endemic trees.
A notable consequence is the greatly diverse birdlife, with the second highest diversity in Africa (behind only the Ituri forest in the D.R.C.).
UGZUNGWA WILDLIFE
- Udzungwa draws avid bird watchers from across the globe, with more than 400 species and a whole host of Eastern Arc Endemics.
- Four birds are unique to Udzungwa and include a species discovered in 1991; the Udzungwa forest partridge, more closely related to Asian genus than African.
- Rufus-winged sunbird and green-headed oriole are other sought after species.
- Udzungwa is equally important for primates, with 13 species and two endemics; the Udzungwa red colobus and the Sanje mangabey.
- Angolan black-and-white colobus, Sykes’ monkey, yellow baboon, mountain galago and mountain dwarf galago are present.
Activities
Hiking, primate watching and bird watching are Udzungwa’s main draws. Sanje waterfall (170m) is spectacular.
Several caves make for an interesting cultural visit and beautiful African violets complete the scene.
When
The dry season is recommended for hiking, although it may rain at any time of year.
The wet season makes slopes slippery and climbing difficult.
The wet season makes slopes slippery and climbing difficult.
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