SOUTHERN CIRCUIT
PARKS
Mikumi
/ Selous
/ Ruaha /
Odzungwa
The Udzungwa Mountains are almost unearthly.Burgeoning with rampant
, verdant growth.It is at once vivid detail and larger than life:
a new variety of the tiny African violet discovered in the shelter
of 30m high trees. It isa 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 previous unknown birds, including the rufous-winged
sunbird and new species of the partidge-like francolin, make this
Tanzania's richest forest bird habitat and among the three most
important bird conservation areas on the continent.
One of East Africa's great forests, undoubtedly this undisturbed
habitat is yet to reveal all its treasure, waiting for further
scientific exporation to catalogue its wealth.
A link in the chain of Africa's eastern arc mountains, Udzungwa
is made of 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 100km. But the centrepiece is the Sanje
River where it reinvents itself as a spectacular waterfall, plunging
179m through the forest to land in a spray of mist in the valley
below.
Getting there: Drive from Dar es salaam or Mikumi
National Park.
To do: From a 2 hour hike tothe waterfall to
camping safaris. Combine with nearby Mikumi of en route to Ruaha.
Best time: Possible year round although slippery
in the wet. The dry season is June-October before the short rains
but be prepared for rain anytime.
Accomodation: Camping inside the park. Bring
all food and supplies. Accommodation just outsite the park entrance.
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