The Udzungwa Mountains rise sharply from the plains of southern Tanzania, an isolated range of ancient rainforest known for extraordinarily high levels of biodiversity and species found nowhere else on Earth. Unlike the open savannah parks nearby, Udzungwa is explored on foot, with trails leading through dense forest to waterfalls, viewpoints and patches of untouched wilderness.

The Sanje Waterfall trail is the park’s best-known hike, climbing through forest to a series of cascades with views back across the plains below. Rare primates, including the Sanje mangabey and Udzungwa red colobus, live only within this range, making the mountains a significant site for primate research and conservation.

Reached by road from Dar es Salaam or Iringa, Udzungwa pairs naturally with Mikumi or Ruaha for travellers wanting to combine a walking-based forest experience with a more conventional game-drive safari on Tanzania’s southern circuit.