Udzungwa National Park is a protected area in south-central Tanzania. It lies in the Eastern Arc Mountains, a chain of ancient forested mountains stretching across Tanzania and Kenya. The park’s elevation ranges from about 250 meters to over 2,500 meters above sea level, creating a range of ecosystems from lowland tropical forests to montane forests. Its climate is humid and tropical, with heavy rains typically falling from March to May and lighter rains from November to December.
The park covers over 1,900 square kilometres. The plant life is extremely diverse, with over 2,500 plant species recorded, many of which are endemic. This botanical richness is due to the park’s isolation and varied altitudes, allowing unique species to evolve. You’ll find everything from giant trees and dense ferns to delicate orchids and medicinal plants used by local communities.
One of its key features is its ecological diversity — it’s home to rare primates, such as the Sanje mangabey and the Udzungwa red colobus, which are found nowhere else in the world. Visitors often hike to waterfalls, including the scenic Sanje Falls, and explore various trails that range from easy walks to more demanding treks into the highlands.
Unlike many other parks in Tanzania, Udzungwa doesn’t have large numbers of traditional safari animals like lions or elephants, but it’s a hotspot for birdwatching, plant diversity, and scientific research. Its remote, uncommercialized nature makes it appealing for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path wilderness experience.
How to get there?
By Road:
The most direct route is by car or bus, travelling southwest from Dar es Salaam to the town of Mikumi, and then on to the village of Mang’ula, which is the main gateway to the park. The total drive takes about 6 to 8 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic. The roads are mostly paved.
Once the bus drops you off in Mikumi, you can either change to a minibus or opt for a shared tuk-tuk. Tuk-tuk ride takes about 1.5 hours, but it is surprisingly cheap (10.000 TZS). You may need to squeeze as other passengers are picked up on the way.
By Train:
A more adventurous and scenic option is to take the TAZARA (Tanzania-Zambia Railway) line from Dar es Salaam to Mang’ula Station. This line passes through the heart of the countryside and offers views of rural villages, wildlife, and forested landscapes. Trains run a few times a week, and while the journey is longer than by car (often 10+ hours), it offers a unique, slow-travel experience.
By Air:
There’s no airport directly serving Udzungwa, but you can fly into Mikumi Airstrip (near Mikumi National Park) from Dar es Salaam or other domestic locations, then take a short drive to Udzungwa. This is faster but more expensive and requires pre-arranged charter flights or local air services.
Final Access:
Once in a hotel in Mang’ula, you can easily find a boda-boda (motorbike) rider to take you to the park entrance.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit Udzungwa National Park is during the dry season, which runs from June to October. During these months, the trails are more accessible, hiking is easier, and visibility is generally better for spotting wildlife like primates and birds.
The rainy seasons, particularly from March to May, can make the trails slippery and some areas difficult to access, especially the more remote or elevated parts of the park. That said, the forest is lush and vibrant during the rains, which appeals to travellers interested in plant life, waterfalls at full flow, and fewer crowds. I visited the park at the beginning of March, and it was still very dry, and the rains were yet to come.
The short rains from November to December can still be a decent time to go if you’re prepared for occasional showers and want to avoid peak season.
Where to stay?
I can recommend Mwanga Royal Motel in Mangula Town. I found on Google Maps the day before and got a room with AC without upon arrival. The room was very small, but come on, the real AC isn’t that common in Tanzania, especially for 25.000 TZS per night!
They also have a restaurant and sell drinks, so it is really a very convenient place. There were plenty of motorbike taxis on the street in front, and I could get to the national park headquarters in less than 10 minutes.
How much does it cost?
Park Entry Fees
Adults (Non-Tanzanians): $30 per person per day, plus 18% VAT, totalling approximately $35.40.
Children (5–15 years): $5 per day, plus 18% VAT.
Tanzanian Citizens: Significantly lower rates apply.
These fees grant access to the park for 24 hours.
Guided Hiking Costs
All hikes in Udzungwa require a licensed guide and sometimes an armed ranger. They charge you about 20 USD each per day.
Long Distance Hikes:
If you decide to climb Mwanihana Peak, the hike takes 2-3 days and requires taking a guide, an armed ranger, porters, camping equipment, food and water. The cost increases significantly, and you should expect to pay between 400 USD – 500 USD. If you go with a group, some costs can be shared.
Hiking to Luhombero Peak, the highest point in Udzungwa Mountains National Park, spans 5 to 6 days and costs between 800 USD – 1200 USD per person.
My experience
Day 1: Sanje Waterfalls, Prince Bernard Waterfall
The first day of the hiking adventure in Udzungwa. After a quick breakfast at my hotel, I took a boda-boda and arrived at the national park headquarters. I was immediately approached by the guide, and after discussing options in front of the big map, we agreed to go to Sanje Waterfall. I paid all the required fees and then we walked to the main road to catch a tuk-tuk to the trailhead.
The hike wasn’t too difficult, but the path was going up and down, and it was humid, so I was sweating a lot. Luckily, I had a big bottle of water with me as well as some snacks. There were almost no other tourists in the park, besides two other women doing the same route.
First, we approached the bottom of the waterfall and took some photos on the scenic bridge. From there, we continued climbing up to the middle section and the viewpoint to the plains and sugar cane plantations. Finally, we reached the end of the trail and enjoyed a break with snacks in front of a beautiful waterfall.
We came back taking a bit different way, which was nice as the hike turned out to be a loop. Near the main road, we met local vendors selling souvenirs and drinks, so I bought two coconuts. The price had to be negotiated because the initial one was out of space. Sometimes I wonder where Tanzanians get this enthusiasm from.
The whole hike took us about 3-4 hours, and it was still quite early, so I asked the guide if there were other attractions that we could check out. We took a tuk tuk again, which dropped us near the entrance to the trail leading to Mwanihana Peak. Getting to the top takes a minimum of 2 days, but there is another waterfall about 15 15-minute walk from the main road, so we decided to check it out. Unfortunately, it was very average. I hope one day I will be able to climb Mwanihana, although the price for a solo hiker is discouraging. Enjoying nature in Tanzania isn’t cheap!
We returned the same way and came back to the headquarters, where we did one more short hike to see Prince Bernard Waterfall. There was barely any water flowing, but at least we were able to see a deer and some monkeys.
Overall, it was an enjoyable day, but at that time of the year (beginning of March), the water level in the waterfalls was low. I discussed the details about the next day with my guide, and we decided to make a loop hike to the Hidden Valley.
Day 2: Hidden Valley
This time we I had to take with me not only a guide, but an armed ranger as the trail goes deeper in the forest, and there was a risk of encountering elephants. He was carrying a heavy gun but didn’t even take any water or snacks with him. The trail was in the forest the whole way. First, we were going up, occasionally through very overgrown bush. It seemed that not many tourists take that route, but of course I didn’t mind. There was a nice waterfall nearby, so we made a short detour to reach it and rest at its base.
Then, we walked around the mountain and started descending back to the main road. Sometimes it was really steep!
It was a good hike, which took us about 4-5 hours, and I appreciated the feeling of being deeper in the forest, but there weren’t any spectacular panoramas, and we didn’t encounter any wildlife. The ranger was there just in case, but for most of the time, he was lagging, and we couldn’t even see him behind. However, the guide was very useful, as the trail is not marked on any offline maps, and there were sections where it was totally overgrown.
Other available hikes
Spotting Sanje Mangabeys
Sanje mangabeys are a rare and unique species of monkey found only in the Udzungwa Mountains. They’re medium-sized primates with shaggy brown-gray fur, expressive faces, and long tails that help them balance as they move through the trees.
What makes them particularly interesting is their behaviour and limited range. They live in social groups and spend time both in the trees and on the ground, which is unusual for monkeys in dense rainforest environments. They’re intelligent and often communicate with a wide range of vocalizations, facial expressions, and body language. Because they’re only found in a small area, and their forest habitat is shrinking due to human activity, Sanje mangabeys are considered endangered.
Seeing them in the wild is a special experience. Inform the national park headquarters that you are interested in spotting them one day before your visit. The rangers will do their best to locate the primates and take you on a hike to see them.
Mwanihana Peak
The trail to Mwanihana Peak climbs up to 2,150 meters, offering spectacular views over the Kilombero Valley and into the dense forest below. It’s remote and quiet. Most hikers take about 3 days and 2 nights to complete the trek, but it’s also doable in 2 days and 1 night. You start near Mang’ula village, where the park headquarters help organize guides and permits. The first day eases you into the forest, so expect to cross wooden bridges, follow streams, and sleep under the canopy at a remote campsite. Day two is the real climb, where you’ll summit Mwanihana and feel like you’re standing above the clouds. Then you descend on day three, usually tired, muddy, and grinning.
You might spot rare monkeys like the red colobus or Sanje mangabey, as well as hornbills, turacos, and colourful butterflies. The forest shifts as you climb: miombo woodlands give way to thick rainforest, which thins out into cool highland bamboo zones.
Luhombero Peak
At 2,579 meters, Luhombero is the highest point in Udzungwa, but it remains one of the least hiked. It’s rugged, remote, and takes 5 to 6 days of serious trekking to reach. Expect steep climbs, slippery roots, and the occasional river crossing. Your nights are spent camping deep in the forest, often at simple sites near streams or clearings.
Each day brings a new kind of terrain: lowland forests buzzing with insects and birds, towering bamboo groves, misty highlands, and eventually wind-swept ridges with views stretching across southern Tanzania.
This trek is demanding. You’ll need to be reasonably fit and mentally prepared for long days, basic camps, and no phone signal. A licensed guide is required, and most people also hike with porters and a cook. Some arrange everything through local tour companies, while others coordinate directly with park authorities.
