Adventurous journey through the Udzungwa Mountains national park : The Udzungwa mountain national park is located in the central park of Tanzania between the regions of Iringa and Morogoro. It was first declared as the national park in 1992 and it covers the total area of 1,900 square kilometers. Its landscape is highly characterized with different vegetation cover such as the Miombo woodland, grassland, tropical rainforest as well as the mountain forest. The name Udzungwa means the people who lived in the mountain side; it’s the named after the wasungwa which is a kihehe word.
The Udzungwa national park is the habitat of different species of the monkeys which includes the Red colobus and the Sanje crested Manga bush. The vegetation cover of this national park is diverse and it’s covered by the tropical rain forest, grassland as well as the steppe. The Odzungwa national park is the home of different wild animals including the elephants that are found in the forest along the southern escarpment.
The wildlife of the Odzungwa Mountain;
There is a wide variety of the wildlife that are found in this national park, without forgetting a number of different bird species that makes it a perfect place for the bird lovers. The most common animals that are found in this national park includes the elephants, Abbots duikers, Sanje crested mangabey, African marabou, crowed eagles, francolin, African hobby, Iringa red colobus( which are only found in this national park in the world), Kipunji, Grey-faced Sengi. There are about 6 different monkey species.
The birds at the Odzungwa national park
The Odzungwa mountain national park is the habitat of the different birds and there are about 400 bird’s species. There are forest birds as well as the eastern arc endemic and the forest bird’s species that makes this place a spectacular place for the bird watching activities. Some of the bird species includes the African Marabou, Crowned eagle, Ruppells vultures, and the African hobby. It also has the rarest species of the dappled mountain-robin; sharpen akalatas well as the white-cheste alethe. The Odzungwa mountain national park is considered as the African mainland bird conversation area.
Best time to visit the Odzungwa mountain national park
There is no any bad time to visit this mountain area, all around the year this national park can be visited and enjoy the most thrilling adventure in this place. For the best hiking and trekking activities through the Odzungwa Mountain, then the dry season will be a perfect time for you to visit this place and it’s normally between the months of June to October. At these times of the year the walking trails are clearer and can walk easily because there is no rain which makes the trails not to be slippery. The dry season is also the perfect time to watch the animals and enjoy the wildlife of this mountain area, this is because the land because clear and hence animals can be easily spotted from just a distance. The wet season is normally the perfect times for the bird watching activities in this national park.
The main activities to do while in Odzungwa national park
Hiking; explore the mountain area of this national park through hiking, it’s the main activity that can be one while on the visit to this national park, this is because there are no game drives or the roads while exploring this virgin land. The armed rangers will accompany all the visitors while hiking as well as the clear rules and regulations which must be followed while hiking they will be read to each one who is going for hiking. There are different hiking trails which includes the 20 minutes strolls up to 5 days hiking towards the Lumelo trails.
The most popular and most of the visitors choice is the trail towards the Sonje waterfalls trails, which is about 4 hours walk. It’s the most beautiful trails which offer you with the most rewarding views and sceneries of the 170m waterfalls, as well as the thrilling views of the monkeys. Have a long 4 hours walking the waters from this area will not disappoint you as you will have the opportunity to swim as well as taking the best photos of the water as well as of the forest, Adventurous journey through the Udzungwa Mountains national park.
The longest trail is towards the Hidden valley which takes about one day walking and you will pass along the Njokamoni River, Moyer rive, grassy valleys with the perfect views of the elephants as well as the buffalo tracks which is about 6 to 7 hours, Adventurous journey through the Udzungwa Mountains national park.
Cycling; explore the beauty and the landscape of the Odzungwa national park using the bicycle. It’s the best activity that can be done while on the visit here as it’s the most refreshing and fun activity to do. Enjoy the breathing taking views of the forest, encounter different wild animals along the way while cycling. The guards will lead the way and show you the trails which you’re going to use while cycling. It’s important to follow the trails in order to enjoy the safety of everyone while cycling. This activity also offers you the opportunity to visit the local villages and have a chance to meet the people and learn a little about their life styles, culture as well as their language. Visit the local markets, the local schools, and the farm lands, visit the rubber and sugarcane plantations that are found around this area.
Bird watching; this national park is also among the bird paradises that are found in Tanzania, it’s the perfect place for the bird lovers. The best time to experience and enjoy the bird watching activity is during the morning or in the evening. In this national park there are also experienced bird guides who are going to help you spot different bird species that are found in this mountain area.
Accommodation while at Odzungwa national parkz
The accommodation in this national park varies from the luxurious, midrange as well as the budget accommodation. The environment and the services at this accommodation are amazing and will make you feel at home and want to spend more days here. The accommodations include the forest tented camps, Hondo Hondo Udzungwa forest tented camp, Udzungwa falls loges, the Udzungwa Mountain View camp, Angalia tented camps among others.
