How to Get to the Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Many people often wonder how to reach Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Since the park is located in Mang’ula, a village near the train routes from Dar es Salaam to Zambia, getting there is pretty straightforward. You don’t need to stress about transportation, as you can easily access the park by road, air, or train.
Getting to Udzungwa by road
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is located about 360 kilometers west of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The easiest way to get there is by road, as the park is surrounded by dense forests and doesn’t have any landing places within it. It’s not far from Mikumi National Park, and you can make the trip in about 4 to 5 hours. Just take the Morogoro road towards Mikumi town, and then drive through Kilombero, crossing the impressive Ruaha River to reach Sanje Village. Another way on getting there is driving through the new route to Selous Game Reserve from Dar es Salaam and on to Udzungwa National Park and this also connects to Mikumi National Park and back to Dar es Salaam
Getting to Udzungwa by air
For adventurous travelers who prefer flying, there are daily charter flights that connect Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar to Udzungwa at Kilombero Airstrip every afternoon. These flights also help link Udzungwa National Park to other safari spots in southern Tanzania. Another option is to fly to Mikumi National Park Airstrip with Air Link, which offers daily flights, and then take a scenic drive to reach the park.
Getting to Udzungwa by train
Another way to reach the park is by taking the train that runs from Dar es Salaam to Zambia, passing through Mang’ula village, where the park is situated. However, this option isn’t the best since the train can often be delayed due to its lengthy journey, which can be unpredictable. If you choose to travel by road, make sure to book your transportation with Focus East Africa Tours to prevent any setbacks and ensure a smooth safari experience.
About Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania’s most beautiful wilderness areas and an exceptional park for hikers. The park, covering an area of approximately 1990 km2, is located in Iringa and Morogoro regions of central Tanzania. The park has a large altitudinal range of 200m above sea level (asl) to 2576 m asl. the Udzungwa Mountains is part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. These are defined as a broken mountain chain stretching from Taita Hills in south-eastern Kenya and extending down to the south-western part of Tanzania, with the Udzungwa Mountains being last in the chain.
The park is home to rich biodiversity of wildlife including housing 11 species of primates, among two species found nowhere else in the world, the Sanje Crested Mangabey and Iringa Red Colobus Monk. you can also spot different unique animals’ species such as Udzungwa lizards, chameleons, elephants, leopards, bush bucks, duikers, palm civets, Miombo genets, elephant shrews, hyenas as well as colorful butterflies.
With more than 400 species of birds, the park is also a treat for bird-lovers. Some common birds include crowned eagles, ruppells vultures, woodland kingfishers, silvery cheeked horn bills marabous, malachite kingfishers, and trumpeter hornbills.
Tourist attractions
Vegetation
The vegetation is absolutely pristine closed canopy forest, with woodland and moorland in some of the surrounding and higher areas. Udzungwa gets a lot of rain and mist and numerous clear rushing streams flow through this rugged forested landscape down to the Kilombero plains far below to the south west. The altitude range in the park is from 250–2,576 meters, and remarkably there are parts where almost this entire altitude range has unbroken forest cover, from miombo through bamboo to lowland and highland forest.
Wildlife
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a true naturalist’s paradise with dozens of unique species across the animal spectrum from insects to reptiles and frogs to birds and primates. The park is how to 11 species has been identified. Among of them two species found nowhere else in the world, the Sanje Crested Mangabey and Iringa Red Colobus Monkey. There are more than 400 bird species, and thousands of different plant species. Wildlife also includes buffalo, elephant, leopard, forest antelope, warthog, and bush pig. Lion live in the woodlands and upper moorlands but are rarely seen. More so, this incredible park is home to over 250 species of butterflies including the endemic Charaxes Lucyae Mwanihanae, Papilio hornimanii Mwanihanae and Baliochilla Mwanihanae have been identified, making Udzungwa an ideal place for those who wish to see this paradise of butterfly
Beautiful waterfalls
There are several beautiful waterfalls to see, with the well-known Sanje waterfall being one of the highlights. It crashes down 170 meters, creating a misty spray as it falls into the wooded valley below. This waterfall is the tallest in Tanzania’s national parks. Other notable waterfalls worth visiting include Prince Bernhard, Njokamoni, Mwaya, Sonjo, and Msolwa, all of which add to the charm of your trip.
Amazing activities to do while on a Tanzania safari in Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Udzungwa Mountains National Park offers a variety of exciting activities for visitors to enjoy. You can hike to stunning waterfalls and explore the lush forests, taking in the incredible scenery along the way. If you’re up for a challenge, mountain climbing provides breathtaking views from the peaks. Bird watchers will delight in spotting numerous unique species in their natural habitats. The park’s Visitor Information Centre is a great starting point for planning your adventure. Photography and filming, this activity can be done throughout the year. During short rains, photographic safaris can be more exciting in the park as it is the time when wild flowers flourish and there is abundant butterflies. Moreover, most migratory birds can be seen during this time. For those seeking a different experience, cycling tours allow you to navigate the trails at your own pace. Cultural tourism is also a highlight, where you can engage with local communities and experience traditional Ngoma dance. Lastly, don’t miss the Mbatwa Ruins, which offer fascinating insights into the area’s history. There’s something for everyone in this rich natural playground!
Accommodation facilities to do Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Accommodation within the park is only possible on a camping basis as there are no lodges within the park. However, the nearby village of Mang’ula has comfortable guest houses with en-suite accommodations at reasonable prices. Some of the safari lodges here includes Udzungwa Forested Tented Camp, Udzungwa Falls Lodge, Twiga Hotel, Udzungwa Mountain View Camp, and Angalia Tented Camp among others
