Description: Udzungwa is the largest and most biodiverse of a chain of a dozen large forest-swathed mountains that rise majestically in Eastern Tanzania.
Known collectively as the Eastern Arc Mountains, it has also been dubbed the African Galapagos for its treasure-trove of endemic plants and animals, most familiarly the delicate African violet. It is a magnet for hikers, with its excellent network of forest trails.
Ornithologists are attracted by the avian wealth of more than 400 species. Of six primate species recorded, the Iringa red colobus and Sanje Crested Mangabey (discovered in 1979) both occur nowhere else in the world.
Undoubtedly, more treasures are yet to be uncovered as scientific exploration continues.
Location: Just south of Mikumi, between Ruaha and Selous. A visit can be done as a day trip from Mikumi
Things 2 Do: Hiking
Time: Spend from 1 day to several, depending on your interest in hiking
Animals: 11 species of Primates, Buffalo, Elephants, 400+ bird species, 3 endemic Reptiles (a Gecko, a Skink and a Chameleon), Millipedes, a Tree Frog and more than 70 species of Spiders.
Accommodations
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Wami River Camp
$$$$
Foxes Safari Camp (Mikumi)
Vuma Hills Tented Camp (Mikumi)
“I really appreciated how straightforward and simple the process was—from putting together the itinerary, all the way through the lead-up to the trip. The initial planning call, along with the payment plan, then the pre-trip call to make sure everyone was on the same page (including the helpful YouTube videos)—it all felt seamless. And the best part was truly the expertise and professionalism of Wilfred. He did a wonderful job not only showcasing his knowledge of wildlife and Tanzanian culture, but also really took the time to get a sense of what we wanted out of the trip—even when, at times, we admittedly weren’t the most vocal, simply because we didn’t always know the breadth of possibilities.”