The Udzungwa Mountains are almost unearthly. The mountains are primeval, burgeoning with rampant verdant growth. An enchanted forest of leafy glades freckled with sunshine, where fungus, lichen, moss and ferns ingratiate themselves into every damp crevice.

It is at once a vivid detail and larger than life place where a new variety of the tiny African violet discovered in the shelter of the 30 meter high trees. It is a hothouse nurturing species found nowhere else on earth, a secret bank account of precious genetic stock.

Of its six types of primate two are endemic - the Iringa red colobus monkey and the Sanje Crested Mangabey, not detected until 1979. Four previously unknown birds including the rufous-winged sunbird and a new species of the partridge-like francolin make this Tanzania's richest forest bird habitat and among the three most important bird conservation areas on the continent.

As one of East Africa's great forests undoubtedly this undisturbed habitat is yet to reveal all its treasures, waiting for further scientific exploration to catalogue its wealth.

A link in the chain of Africa's eastern arc mountains, Udzungwa is made for hiking and climbing with trails through the rainforest and escarpment. The plateau is a natural penthouse, with views of sugar plantations against a patchwork of grassland and mountain forest extending over 100 kilometers. But the centerpiece is the Sanje River where it reinvents itself as a spectacular waterfall, plunging 170 meters through the forest to land in a spray of mist in the valley below.

Why Visit Udzungwa Mountains, Southern Tanzania Destinations.

• To visit a place with species found nowhere else on earth.
• To see the unique fauna some of which is only found in this mountains.
• To see the endemic and other primates found at The Udzungwa Mountains.
• Visit an important bird conservation area on the African continent.
• For birding to spot and see the birds of The Udzungwa Mountains including rufous-winged sunbird and the new species of the partridge-like francolin.
• To hike and climb the trails through the rainforest and escarpment.
• To see the spectacular Sanje River waterfall plunging 170 meters through the forest to land in a spray of mist in the valley below.

 Featured Udzungwa Mountains, Safari Holiday Vacation Trips