4 Days Udzungwa Mountain Trekking Safari in Tanzania
Exciting Tanzania Safari
The Udzungwa Mountains are the highest mountains in the Eastern Arc Mountains range (a range of forest-clad mountains which stretches from southern Kenya to southern Tanzania, known as the Galapagos of Africa due to the high degree of endemism). The Udzungwa Mountains are also the largest block of the Eastern Arc with the range taking up over 10,000 square kilometers. This is a place of beautiful forests and clear, sparkling streams where only walking is allowed!
Key information
- Maximum group size: 6 persons
- Starting point and ending point: Dar es Salaam
- Park fees are included.
Highlights
- 1 night walking safari
- Game drives and trek Udzungwa Mountains
- Spot buffaloes, elephants, and other endemic animals
- Services of a knowledgeable English speaking driver / guide
- Pick up or drop off to airport, seaport, or hotel before and after the trip
- Transport by a 6-seater 4×4 with a popped-up roof hatch
- 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and drinking water
- 3 nights’ accommodation
Itinerary
Pick up in Dar and transfer by road (visits to local craft centers and lunch along the way) to the village of Mang'ula located at the foot of the mountains. There, you will make final preparations for your trek into the mountains. The hike up to Sanje Waterfalls Campsite where you will overnight, which is relatively short (maximum two hours) but is quite steep in places.
This is the park's most popular attraction although it is unlikely that you will meet any other hikers. Once at Sanje, there will be time to explore the forest and waterfalls and even go for a swim in one of the plunge pools. Bushbabies can be heard calling through the night and there will be a night walking safari looking for endemic chameleons.
Driving time could be up to 7.5 hours.
Wake up for sunrise, an incredible sight from the natural viewing platform amongst the waterfalls. After breakfast, you will descend back down to the road and to the starting point of the Mwanihana Trail in which at 38 kilometers is currently the longest existing hike in the Udzungwas.
This is also the only trail that exposes you to the closed canopy montane forest and grassland habitats of the higher slopes. You will be accompanied by an armed ranger because there are elephants and buffalo in the forest. Camp at an idyllically situated campsite next to a clear mountain stream.
Driving time could be up to 7.5 hours.
Breakfast at sunrise before you begin the climb through the montane forest to the 2150-meter Mwanihana Peak where the views across the Udzungwas are impressive on a clear day. Descend to camp for a well-deserved lunch. In the afternoon, walk down to a camp near a river in a location favored by high primate abundance.
After a leisurely breakfast, there is a final short hike out of the forest to the park gate where you will check out and pack your stuff into the safari car and transfer back to Dar or continue on to your next safari location. This the end of the safari services.