Uluguru Walking
The Uluguru Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, the chain of ranges extending in a great semi-circle from South-Central Kenya through a wide swath of North, East, and Central Tanzania, and famed worldwide for their unique and diverse biota and for their hydrologically important forests.
Geographical Features
The Ulugurus form an outlying ridge, a kind of bulge East of the main range of the Arc, and compromise two mountain blocks that rise to more than 2,600m in elevation. There are 14 forest reserves, six in the mountains themselves and eight more in the foothills and outlying hills. These reserves cover a total area of 404 square kilometres, 270 in the mountains and 134 in the surrounding and outlying foothills.
Flora and Fauna
The mountains boast thousands of species of flora and fauna, which include 15 birds of special conservation interest, 11 endemic reptiles and amphibians, three threatened and two endemic mammals, and many more invertebrates and plants. Pride of place must go to Uluguru bush shrike, a critically threatened bird species found only in the Uluguru forests.
Luguru People
Apart from exceptional biodiversity, the Uluguru Mountain forests are also very important as a major catchment area for rivers which supply water to Dar es Salaam (population at least 3 million) and the municipality of Morogoro (population 500,000). The mountains receive abundant rainfall and with intensive agriculture (spices, maize, cassava, fruits and vegetables), including some irrigation from mountain streams, the area can support upward of 300 people per square kilometre in some places, compared to an average population density per square kilometre of 34 people over the country as a whole. The Ulugurus and surrounding hills and plains are home to about 1.5m Luguru people, who have occupied their mountain homeland for at least 300 years, despite relatively serious population pressure in some areas.
Morningside
A walk to Morningshde is an attraction itself. One will find beautiful view along the winding road from Morogoro town. Once at Morningside House and camping grounds, you can sit in the old terraced garden and look down at Morogoro town and the plain stretching into the distance.
Route revealed
Day One
Meet Dar es Salaam Ubungo bus terminal
1500 hrs - Arrive Morogoro town- Drinks-Set off on hour and a half night hike from Morogoro town (which is at 500m above sea level) - easy hike on a rural road into the mountains
1700 hrs - Arrive at Towero camping ground (839m), set up tents for stay overnight, have dinner
Day Two
Wake up, breakfast, get ready to hike.
0600 hrs - Set off on three hour hike further into the mountains along a rural road/path, passing Ruvuma village
0900 hrs - Arrive at Morningside, 1200m above sea level.
1000 hrs - At this point the group will split into those who wish to spend a relaxing day walking around the Morningside area and those who wish to tackle a more demanding climb to Bondwa peak - the second highest peak in the Uluguru mountains (2100m above sea level). The Bondwa group take a three and a half hour hike up steep slopes on a trekking path through lush forest with diverse flora and fauna and a wide variety of bird species.
1330 hrs - Bondwa group arrive on the peak where there is a magnificant view together with a communications tower landmark. Lunch on peak.
1700 hrs - Bondwa group arrive back at Morningside to join the group who have stayed in the Morningside area
Day Three
Wake up, breakfast, pack up camp
1000 hrs - Set off on four hour hike back to Morogoro town
1300 hrs - Arrive in Morogoro town - Lunch at a Luguru Family House
1400 hrs - Depart for Dar
1700 hrs - Arrive back in Dar es Salaam, Ubungo
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. Those attempting Bondwa Peak should have hiking boots
- Change of clothes in case they get wet, change of shoes or flip flops and at least one sweater/cardigan
- Toiletaries including soap/washing gel etc
- Towel
Photos from this trip
Reviews of Customers
Very nice and relaxed!By Marlene (AUSTRIA)
Good guide on the hike, beautiful site at Morningside, good and vegetarian food, very nice and relaxed atmosphere.
Great hikeBy Tim & Susan Piper (USA)
Tende paid attention to us and our needs on the hike. Food was excellent.
Well organizedBy Jonathan Wolsey (BELGIUM)
Good organisation, good food. Morningside is an exceptional place.
I loved it!By Shannon Kyle (USA)
Very good company, food, hiking route, food & price! The marshmallows were also a great touch.
Planning another tripBy Jennifer Schlect (USA)
Excellent trip. Very accommodating and really helpful :) Hope for another trip soon!
Cool crewBy Manisha Tharaney (INDIA)
Great trip. Very well organized. Food was delicious, looking forward to joining Afri Roots on other trips! Thank you!!
Enjoyable tripBy Wendy Shand (USA)
Great trip! The food was great! Very enjoyable. Thank you.
Thank youBy Johann & Carina Van Rooyen (SOUTH AFRICA)
Very nice, thank you! A great experience of Tanzania.
GreatBy Daniela Pvang (GERMANY)
Was great, you are doing a good job, will come again!
Nice guides!By Mattias Weiss (Mat the Cat)(GERMANY)
Well organized. Really nice guides + good food!
Asenteni sana!By Katherina Perialis (GERMANY)
Asenteni sana, nilienjoy sana na tutaonana tena karibuni. Chakula ilikuwa bomba kabisa!
Very niceBy Andreas Luling (GERMANY)
We had a very nice trip. It was such a good time. Thank you. Tutaonana!