UDZUNGWA TANZANIA SAFARIS

UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS PARK:

NOTE: It is possible to base from Mikumi to access the Southern Highlands such as the UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS National Park for the Southern Tanzania Endemic species as well as access the Ifakara area and the Kilombero Flood plains with her specialities and rarities. Accommodation in Ifakara and Udzungwa is basic.

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 250km above sea level, through intermediate types, to mountain communities at over 2,000m.

Exceptionally species-rich forest: The Udzungwa contain plant species found nowhere else in the world, ranging from a tiny new African violet to 30m high trees.

Rich primate fauna: The park hosts six species of primate, two of them endemic forms - the Iringa (Uhehe) red colobus monkey and the Sanje Crested Mangabey. The latter was only discovered in 1979.

Diverse large mammal community: The plateau contains resident populations of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, wild dog, sable antelope, eland and water buck. there is also a rich small bovid community, with good numbers of red, blue and abbots duikers and bushbuck.

Richest forest bird habitat in Tanzania with several endemics. Recent studies have added several new species the park's bird list (including a new species of francolin.) This gives the Udzungwa forests a ranking in the top three areas important for bird conservation in mainland Africa.

Spectacular mountain scenery with rainforest, wooded grasslands, rock faces, rivers and waterfalls: The falls on the Sanje River drop some 170m through the forest to the valley below. The mountain plateau allows views of over 100km.

BACK TO TANZANIA DESTINATIONS MAIN PAGE ..<<