you are here: home / Tanzanias Parks and protected areas / Udzungwa

Udzungwa National Park, Tanzania's last established park (1992), has a total area of approximately 2,000km² lying between a high range of altitude. It contains the greatest altitudinal range of forests in East Africa - the eastern escarpment is the only place in East Africa with unbroken forest cover from lowland forest communities at below 250m above sea level, through intermediate types, to mountain communities at over 2,800m. Because of such a wide range in altitude and habitat types, Udzungwa National Park has one of the highest numbers of species endemism worldwide. Udzungwa National Park is located 65 km south of Mikumi National Park.

With no roads entering Udzungwa National Park it is a paradise for hikers and backpackers alike. Numerous breath-taking day-hikes can be organized along with multiple day excursions into the dense rain forest or onto the high plateau. One beautiful trek is up to the Sanje River Waterfall, which plunges for 170 metres through the forest to the valley below. The view from the top is magnificent!

Wildlife in Udzungwa National Park

Udzungwa National Park supports a diverse, large mammal community including elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, African Wild dog, eland, waterbuck and sable. Six species of primate are found here and two are endemic, namely the Iringa (Uhehe) Red Colobus monkey, and the Sanje Crested Mangabey, which was discovered in 1979. There is also a rich small bovid community including good numbers of Red, Blue and Abbots duikers, and bushbuck.

Birdlife in Udzungwa

Udzungwa has the richest forest bird habitat in Tanzania. Several endemics has just been discovered recently (including a new species of francolin and the Rufus-winged sun bird). This gives the Udzungwa forests a high ranking in bird watching in Africa.

Best time to visit

The dry season occurs from June to October, when it is best to visit. During the rainy season from March to May visits are not recommended. Anyway, the park is accessible the whole year.

Accommodation in Udzungwa National Park

There are no lodge or hotel facilities in the Park. The closest highly recommended upmarket accommodation is located at Mikumi National Park where there is Fox’s Safari Camp and Vuma Hill Tented Camp. Day trips can be done from there.

Self contained accommodation is available near the Park gate. For those with camping equipment, three campsites have been established inside the Park.