Key facts
| Area | 1,990 km² |
|---|---|
| Location and distance | Southern Tanzania near Mikumi, around 350 km from Dar es Salaam |
| Getting there | Around 7 hours' drive from Dar es Salaam via Morogoro and Mikumi, no airstrip at the park |
| Park fee per person per day | 30 USD, children aged 5 to 15 years 10 USD, under 5 years free, plus 18% VAT. |
| Best months | June to October |
| Typical wildlife | Udzungwa red colobus monkeys, Sanje mangabeys, colobus monkeys, forest elephants, buffalo |
| Accommodation | Hondo Hondo Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp |
Highlights and wildlife
The park belongs to the Eastern Arc Mountains, one of the oldest mountain formations in Africa, and lies on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley. Across 1,990 km², dense tropical rainforest, steep mountain slopes and deeply incised river valleys alternate. Numerous rivers run through the area; the best-known waterfalls are the Sanje Falls, which plunge down over several tiers. Vehicles are not permitted for classic game drives. You therefore explore the park exclusively on foot, on guided hikes. Without engine noise you experience the sounds, smells and stillness of the forest first-hand.
The Udzungwa Mountains are considered a hotspot for endemism; many species occur only in this region. The park is particularly known for its primates: the Udzungwa red colobus and the Sanje mangabey live exclusively here, and you regularly see black-and-white colobus monkeys and guenons. Forest elephants, buffalo and leopards share the habitat but mostly stay hidden in the dense forest. Smaller mammals as well as numerous reptiles and amphibians add to the diversity. More than 400 bird species have been recorded in the park, including endemic forest birds. The wildlife thrives on species diversity, not on large herds.
Best time to visit
You can visit the park all year. The best hiking is in the dry season from June to October, when the trails are drier and safer to walk. In these months you also have good conditions for primate watching. In the rainy season the forest appears particularly lush and green, and the waterfalls carry a great deal of water. At the same time the paths become more slippery and some tours more demanding. Your guide chooses the route to suit the weather and your fitness.
| Month | Weather | Wildlife |
|---|---|---|
Dry season, better trails | ||
Lush, trails more demanding |
Fees and rules
The park fee is 30 USD per person per day. Children aged 5 to 15 pay 10 USD, children under 5 are free. In addition, 18% VAT applies. For your planning, also note the following: classic game drives are not permitted in the park; you move exclusively on foot. The hikes are led by a guide who knows the trails and the animals. This way the sensitive rainforest is protected, and you follow the rules of the park.
Getting there and combinations
The park lies in southern Tanzania, south of Mikumi and around 350 km from Dar es Salaam. You arrive by vehicle: from Dar es Salaam the drive via Morogoro and Mikumi takes around 7 hours; you can also reach the park by road from Iringa. There is no airstrip at the park. Thanks to the good connections, the rainforest fits easily into a route through the south. You can add Mikumi National Park with classic savannah safaris, Nyerere National Park for river and boat safaris, or the remote Ruaha National Park.
