Afri Roots

Udzungwa Hiking

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The Eastern Arc Mountains

The Udzungwa Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, the arc which begins in Taita Hills in Kenya, and in Tanzania runs through the North and South Pare, the East and West Usambara, and the Nguu, Nguru, Ukaguru, Rubeho and Uluguru mountains and Udzungwa. The Udzungwa mountains are situation between the towns of Morogoro and Iringa.

Geographical Features

The Udzungwas are 10,000 sq mtrs in total covered in wet humid climate providing water for Kilombero valley. The Great Ruaha provides electricity for much of the country. Rainfall in the southeast of the mountains amounts to 2,000 mm per year and on the Northwest rain shadow area it decreases to 600 mm. Temperatures range from 21-27 centigrade on average.

Flora and Fauna

There are hundreds of different species of trees, shrubs, climbers and herbs of which 50 are restricted to the area. 200 species have medicinal propeties. Also restricted to the mountains is the Iringa red colobus monkey(uhehe) and the Sanje crested mangabey.

Site Style

First night camp is at Twiga Hotel just outside the park - it is a local hotel, very clean, with a bar and local cuisine. Second night camp is at Sanje waterfall.

Route revealed

There are 9 different trailsAfri Roots concentrate on the best hikes:

Sanje Hike	5km	Three waterfalls - camp by one of them
Campsite 3 Hike	13km (10 hrs)	Vegetation, Primates, Bushbuck and birds
Mwanihana	38km (3 days)	Summit 2500m game can be viewed on hike
Mbatwa-Ibito	(3 days)	Excellent game viewing on hike, historic and cultural features

Day One

Depart from Steers Samora ave

1700 hrs - Arrive Man'gula camp at Twiga Hotel

Day Two

Breakfast

0800 hrs - Set off on Sanje trail five hour hike

1400 hrs - Arrive at Sanje waterfall set up camp, lunch

1500 hrs - Explore surrounding area, swim in either of the two pools of the waterfalls

Day Three

Wake up, breakfast, pack up camp, descend to base of Waterfall

1100 hrs - One hour hike to Sanje village, depart for Dar Es Salaam

1700 hrs - Arrive back in Dar es Salaam, Ubungo

N.B. The above itenary can be changed to one of your choice.

Expedition Essentials

You should bring the following items with you. If you don't have them, Afri-Roots may be able to rent some of these items to you on request.

Rucksack for carrying personal belongings
Sleeping bag
Shoes and clothes suitable for hiking, and rain coat.
Change of clothes in case they get wet, change of shoes or flip flops and at least one sweater/cardigan
Swimsuit for taking dip in river
Toiletaries including soap/washing gel etc
Towel