Usambara and Udzungwa Tour
SOUTHERN CIRCUIT SAFARI & USAMBARA MOUNTAINS TREK 10 NIGTHS 10 DAYS.
UDUZUGWA MOUNTAINS
Udzungwa is the largest and has the most biodiversity of a chain of a dozen large forest-swathed mountains that rise majestically from the flat coastal scrub of eastern Tanzania. Known collectively as the Eastern Arc Mountains, this archipelago of isolated massifs has also been dubbed the African Galapagos for its treasure-trove of endemic plants and animals, most familiarly the delicate African violet.
Udzungwa alone among the ancient ranges of the Eastern Arc has been accorded national park status. It is also unique within Tanzania in that its closed-canopy forest spans without interruption, altitudes of 250 meters (820 feet) to above 2,000 meters (6,560 ft).Udzungwa-waterfall-Roy
Not a conventional game viewing destination, Udzungwa is a magnet for hikers. An excellent network of forest trails includes the popular half-day ramble to Sanje Waterfall, which plunges 170 meters (550 feet) through a misty spray into the forested valley below.
The more challenging two-night Mwanihana Trail leads to the high plateau, with its panoramic views over surrounding sugar plantations, before ascending to Mwanihana peak, the second-highest point in the range.
Ornithologists are attracted to Udzungwa for an avian wealth embracing more than 400 species of birds, from the lovely and readily-located green-headed oriole to more than a dozen secretive Eastern Arc endemics.
Four bird species are peculiar to Udzungwa, including a forest partridge first discovered in 1991 and more closely related to an Asian genus than to any other African fowl.
Of six primate species recorded, the Iringa red colobus and Sanje Crested Mangabey both occur nowhere else in the world – the latter, remarkably, remained undetected by biologists prior to 1979
Undoubtedly, this great forest has yet to reveal all its treasures: ongoing scientific exploration will surely add to its diverse catalogue of endemics.
udzungwa
DAY 1:
Meet Dar es Saalam Airport, proceed to Dar city centre for freshener-up and Safari briefing. Start and proceed to Selous Game reserve with packed lunch. Game drive en route to your lodge
Dinner and overnight at Selous camp.
DAY 2:
Full day game viewing at Selous Game reserve with packed lunch.
Dinner and overnight at Selous camp.
DAY 3:
After breakfast drive to Ruaha National Park with packed lunch. Game drive en-route to your lodge/camp. Dinner and overnight at your Camp/Lodge.
DAY 4:
Full day game viewing at Ruaha National Park. Dinner and overnight at your Camp/Lodge.
DAY 5:
After Breakfast drive to Mikumi National Park with packed lunch via Uduzungwa mountains for walking Safari to the water falls. Later proceed to Mikumi lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6:
Full day at Mikumi national park with packed lunch. Dinner and overnight at your Lodge.
DAY 7:
Breakfast at the lodge and proceed to Usambara Mountains for 4 days hike, Check in at the Hotel
DAY 8: 6-7hrs trek
After breakfast at the hotel, start walking with your packed lunch through the villages uphill to the Magamba rain forest and sleep over night at Papaa Moze Lodge in Lukozi. This is the day of trekking through the natural forest, home of black Columbus monkey, chameleons on the way and nice landscape. The lodge is basically local sharing the toilet but very clean
DAY 9 : 4-5 hrs
Trekking through the villages of Manolo, Sunga, farming areas and spend the night at Rangwi sisters convent – lovely landscape and a chance to interact with the locals in traditional villages and learning traditional local way of living, visiting traditional irrigation practices by the shambaa. Accommodations are basic sharing the toilets
Day 10: 6-7 hrs crowned eagle
Trekking through the villages, to pottery village for the workshop and along the escapement of the mountains to Mtae – World class (The world class view point is because you will view about 180 degree over the Tsavo west Kenya and Kilimanjaro), The name of the local guest house is Mwivano Guest house, This is basically local sharing the toilets but other Optional can be Mamboviepoint lodge see www.mamboviewoint.org with extras costs of $60 per person.Taking this option you will needs to take the early buses at 4.30 in the morning, arriving in Lushoto at 6.00 and on same day leave to Dar, Moshi, Tanga, Arusha, Lunch on this day with Ernest family well known for best serving lunch, however if you would like to go back on the third day, then catch the private transport on evening after enjoying the Mtae back to Lushoto and stay at Tumain Hostel.
Day 11:
Catch the early bus back to Lushoto at 4.30am, travels, to Moshi, or Arusha on the same day
Later transfer to the airport for your flight back home.