UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

OVERVIEW

Bordering the Ruaha National Park is Udzungwa Mountain National Park which is 1,999 sq km in size. It also forms a border with Mikumi National Park and Selous Game Reserve to the north and east respectively. Up until 1992 Udzungwa Mountain National Park was a national forest reserve before being commissioned as a national park. The Udzungwa Mountains is without a doubt exemplary of a pristine, true virgin forested land remaining in the world. The topography and biodiversity of this place is the major attraction of this national park. You can find some endemic plant species found nowhere in the world which includes small African violets to 30-meter long trees.

Two indigenous primate species are found in the mountains of Udzungwa, the Iringa red colobus monkey and the Sanje Crested Mangabey, not known until 1979.Apart from providing habitat to about six species of primates, its plateau contains populations of elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, African hunting dogs and several forest bird species.

A walking safari trip to the cliff of the Sange River waterfalls which is 170 meters high is among the popular activities in this park. A combined tour involving a short trip to Udzungwa Mountains and game drives in Mikumi National Park or in Ruaha National Park is both convenient and easy. The park can be visited during the year even though it is a bit slippery during the wet rainy season.