Trekking in Tanzania
This itinerary is of moderate difficulty, suitable for experienced walkers.
Itinerary breakdown:
Day 1 - Pick up in Dar and transfer to Morogoro Town, at the base of the Uluguru Mountains. Lunch at a pleasant restaurant in town, then you set out on the Morningside Trail. Steep in some places, this half day hike meanders up to an altitude of 1000m passing through farmland and villages en-route, offering great views down onto the floodplains below. Back to Morogoro for dinner and you will be staying in a hotel in town.
Day 2 - It is wise to begin the hike early before it gets hot in the lower regions. Breakfast will be at sunrise, then you set out on the hike to Lupanga Peak. A hard walk to the top of the highest peak accessible from Morogoro. The trail passes through farmland, and into the forest along a ridge-top, moving through dense stands of tree ferns festooned with lichens and mosses, and finally up a very steep slope to the top of the peak. Views are amazing on a clear day. Back to Morogoro for a late lunch then transfer to West Usambara, arriving in time for dinner at Maweni Farm.
Day 3 - After breakfast there is a short vehicle transfer out to Mlalo Village. From here you begin the hike that will take you over the Western Usambaras. The climate is cool and breezy up in the mountains, and the views are fantastic. You will spend the night in a villages en-route, a pleasant cultural experience.
Day 4 - Continue bearing south towards the South Pare Mountains. There will be another night in a village. In these remote areas the indigenous people are curious and extremely welcoming, and you will get to see something of village life.
Day 5 - In the morning you make a final descent down to the road where the vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to the little visited Mkomazi Game Reserve - hot, wild and arid. Camping overnight at a site overlooking the Dindera Dam, where game reguarly come to drink amongst the waterbirds.
Day 6 - All day walking safari in Mkomazi, accompanied by an armed ranger, as it is quite likely that you will encounter a variety of large game, including Oryx and Gerenuk!
Day 7 - After a short game drive and breakfast, transfer to Moshi, Arusha or back to Dar.
This short itinerary is for wilderness camping and of moderate - challenging difficulty, suitable for physically fit clients.
Itinerary Breakdown:
- 4 days and 3 nights hiking and camping in the Udzungwa Mountains.
- Can be combined with the 'Trekking in Tanzania' itinerary above.
Day 1 - Pick up in Dar and transfer by road (visits to local craft centres and lunch along the way) to the village of Mang'ula, located at the foot of the mountains. Here you will make final preparations for your trek into the mountains. The hike up to Sanje Waterfalls Campsite, where you will overnight, is relatively short (max 2hrs) but is quite steep in places. This is the park's most popular attraction, although it is unlikely that you will meet any other hikers. Once at Sanje there will be time to explore the forest and waterfalls, and even go for a swim in one of the plunge pools. Bushbabies can be heard calling through the night and there will be a night walking safari looking for endemic chameleons.
Day 2 - Wake up for sunrise, an incredible sight from the natural viewing platform amongst the waterfalls. After breakfast you will descend back down to the road and to the starting point of the Mwanihana Trail, which at 38km is currently the longest existing hike in the Udzungwas. This is also the only trail that exposes visitors to the closed canopy montane forest and grassland habitats of the higher slopes. You will be accompanied by an armed ranger (there are elephants and buffalo in the forest!). Camp at an idyllically situated campsite, next to a clear mountain stream.
Day 3 - Breakfast at sunrise before you begin the climb through the montane forest to the 2150m Mwanihana Peak where the views across the Udzungwas are impressive on a clear day. Descend to camp for a well deserved lunch. In the afternoon walk down to a camp near a river in a location favoured by high primate abundance.
Day 4 - After a leisurely breakfast there is a final short hike out of the forest and transfer back to Dar or continue on to your next safari location.
There are several optional add-ons to this safari: visit our Locations page for some inspiration. It may be possible to arrange a visit to the Baboon Research Project in Mikumi National Park, 1.5 hours from the Udzungwas, please contact us for further details. There is currently a project underway to add new hiking trails in the Udzungwas. We will keep our site updated.
