Udzungwa Mountains National Park

About Udzungwa Mountains National Park

The Udzungwa Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc range, an ancient chain of forested peaks sometimes called Africa's Galapagos for the sheer number of species found nowhere else on earth, including the Sanje mangabey and the Udzungwa red colobus, both monkeys unique to these forests. Unlike almost every other park in Tanzania, Udzungwa has no roads for game drives -- it is a hiking park, explored entirely on foot.

What to Expect

Trails wind through dense rainforest to waterfalls including the dramatic Sanje Falls, one of the tallest in Tanzania, with the sound of unseen primates and birdlife filling the forest canopy overhead. Hikes range from short, easy walks to demanding multi-day treks deeper into the range for well-prepared visitors.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season from June to October offers the clearest trails, though the forest remains lush and walkable throughout the year.

Getting to Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Udzungwa sits near Mikumi National Park on the southern circuit, making it a natural pairing for travelers wanting to combine classic game viewing with a forest hiking day.

Combine With: Udzungwa is frequently paired with Mikumi National Park on a southern circuit itinerary, combining a day of hiking and forest wildlife with more conventional game drives in the same general area.

A Hiker's Park

Trail options range from a two-hour walk to Sanje Falls suitable for most fitness levels, to multi-day treks deeper into the range for experienced hikers seeking a genuine wilderness experience. The forest's primate calls and dense canopy give the entire park an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on the safari circuit.

Because the park protects an entire mountain ecosystem rather than a single trail, researchers continue to discover new species here, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most biologically significant forests in East Africa.