There is a quite a number of different activities that tourists can enjoy while in Udzungwa Mountains NP just as highlighted below:

• Hiking Up the Mountain Trails

There are a number of different trails that span the forest floor that offer both long hikes (as long as 5 days expeditions), and short hikes (as short as just 20 minutes). The most popular of these is the hike to the Sanje waterfall – during which you will encounter monkeys and even get a chance to swim in the plunge pools. The other hiking trails include: Sonjo Waterfall Trail, Msolwa Waterfall Trail, Hidden Valleys Trail, Mwanihana Peak Trail, Prince Bernard’s Waterfall Trail and the Lumeno Trail.

• Enjoy the traditional Ngoma Drumming Performance

A group of some local farmers came together and established a drumming group which performs the traditional Ngoma at Hondo Hondo Camp. The ‘ngoma’ is a Swahili word that means drums. This group normally performs at village celebrations such as weddings or at the close of the harvest. They have a number of instruments including drums, wind instruments, percussion and whistles which when combined together produce beautiful energetic rhythms. The words of the songs are normally created live during the performances and these are tailored to the current event. The performances at the camp are normally at night just beside a large fireplace and burning torches.

• Bird Watching Expeditions

The park has more than 400 different bird species that can be seen during the forest hikes among which are some species endemic to this area such as Udzungwa partridge and Rufous winged sunbird. Other bird species living here include: green headed Oriole, malachite kingfisher, marabous, Ruppell’s vultures, silver cheeked hornbill, crowned eagles, trumpeter hornbills, francolin and the woodland kingfishers.

• Cultural Visits to the Villages

The Wadzungwa people who have lived on the mountain slopes for several years have a very rich culture. Tourists interested can visit these people and get a chance to learn about the traditional custom and practices as well as participate in their day to day activities like making a stone fire, preparing food, cooking on firewood and fetching water from the traditional wells. They have local shops where you can buy some souvenirs from their wide range of locally made crafts.

This National park can be reached through air transport or by road. The drive from Dar Es Salaam takes about four (4) hours. Alternatively you may opt to use railway transport with Tazara railways that takes you through the Selous Game Reserve. The journey is quite long but rewards you with views of different wildlife.

So if you are interested in exploring the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, contact us today as we Gecko Adventures have specialised in organising tailor-made Tanzania Safaris  and Tanzania Holidays not only in southern Tanzania but across the rest of Tanzania and Zanzibar as well.