Udzungwa Mountains National Park

	Itineraries
	All the suggested itineraries are easily accessible during the dry season from July to August, which is also the coolest period of the year, the so-called "southern winter", characterized by not extreme but pleasant temperatures, above all at high altitudes. All the itineraries within the Park are accessible by regularly paying the daily entrance ticket (15 US$ per person) and after agreeing on the tour and/or trekking conditions and organization with the staff at Udzungwa Mountains National Park Headquarter in Mang'ula. It is recommended to wear light clothes for low-altitude routes and a waterproof coat for mountain tours, trekking shoes, and good binoculars. As far as trekking activities with overnight stay in the forest are concerned, you should bring your own tent. Considerable supplies of bottled water - you can find it in all food stores, also in the smallest villages - are essential for all kinds of tours, no matter how short they may be. In the village of Mang'ula, both in the little shops and in the central market, you can find tinned food, fruit and vegetables, and drinks you may need if you want to carry out tours in the forest lasting several days.
	Prince Bernhard Nature Trail
	Short walk lasting more or less one hour, nearby Udzungwa Mountains N.P. Headquarter in Mang'ula, offering a first approach to the forest ecosystems of the Park, in a small but charming stretch of semi-humid forest of the plain, extending along a stream forming a small waterfall. There is the possibility to observe several insect species, mainly butterflies, small wild birds, and four species of Primates, the common Yellow Baboon (Papio cynocephalus), the Blue Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis), the Angolan Black and White Colobus (Colobus angolensis), and the rare and endemic Red Colobus of Iringa (Piliocolobus gordonorum). The itinerary is not difficult and is suitable for everyone. Costs, conditions, and tour organization are to agree on at Udzungwa Mountains N.P. Headquarter in Mang'ula.
	Sanje Waterfalls Trail
	Tour lasting about half a day (back and forth), developing from the surroundings of Udzungwa N.P. Headquarter along the steep slopes of the eastern side of the mountains, across large hilly semi-humid and humid sub-mountain forest formations, to reach the wonderful Sanje waterfalls which, with various drops of several dozens of meters each, hurl down to Kilombero Valley, offering panoramic views of great beauty. It is possible to observe several endemic vegetal and animal species, like the rare Red Colobus of Iringa (Piliocolobus gordonorum). The itinerary is not particularly difficult, except its length (about 7 km), the steepness of some stretches of the trail, and the characteristic warm-humid forest climate. It is suitable for anyone who already has hiking experiences. Costs, conditions, and tour organization are to agree on at Udzungwa Mountains N.P. Headquarter in Mang'ula.
	Mwanihana Peak
	Trekking lasting two/three days with overnight stay in tents, in the heart of some of the most intact and charming forests of the Park. The itinerary, leaving at a few kilometers from Udzungwa Mountains N.P. Headquarter in Mang'ula, develops along the eastern slopes of Mt. Mwanihana, across semi-humid hilly forests, humid sub-mountain forests, pluvial mountain forests, and short stretches of high-mountain moorlands, and reaches the highest peak at about 2,400 meters of height. There is the possibility to observe several endemic vegetal and animal species. The itinerary is not difficult, even if considering the total length of the route (about 20 kilometers), the steepness of some stretches of the trail, the overnight stays in the forest, and the harshness of the general climatic and environmental conditions, it is recommended only to wilderness lovers. Costs, conditions, and trekking organization are to agree on at Udzungwa Mountains N.P. Headquarter in Mang'ula.
	Mbatwa Trail
	Trekking lasting two/three days (back and forth), with overnight stays in tents, on the western slope of Udzungwa Mountains: you can reach the departure point by taking the road Mikumi-Iringa once you get to the small village of Mtandika. The itinerary leaves from Mbatwa Ranger Post and develops along a trail characterized by a gentle slope and climbing the mountain ridges mainly covered with thorny scrubs and dry and thin woodland tropical formations, often scattered with imposing Baobab (Adansonia digitata) and Candelabra Tree (Euphorbia candelabrum) specimens. The route will lead you to the large and windy top plateaus at over 2,000 m of height, with cool mountain pastures and stretches of high-mountain semi-humid forests. It is possible to observe several vegetal and animal species living in dry places, characterized by scrub and savannah formations. The itinerary is not very difficult but, considering the length of the route (about 20 kilometers), the overnight stays in the forest, the harshness of the general climatic and environmental conditions, it is recommended only to wilderness lovers. Costs, conditions, and trekking organization are to agree on at Udzungwa Mountains N.P. Headquarter in Mang'ula.
	Ruipa Trail
	Tour on foot lasting half a day (back and forth), with a long approaching journey by all-terrain vehicle lasting about 2/3 hours and following a branch of the road Mang'ula-Ifakara, towards south-west, at the foot of the south-eastern slope of Udzungwa Mountains. The itinerary leaves from the Ruipa Ranger Post and develops in a large flat and hilly territory, following trails which are usually beaten by herds of elephants, where deciduous semi-humid forests alternate with evergreen humid forest scattered with marshy depressions and partly covered with swampy prairies, in landscapes of great charm and primeval beauty. It is possible to observe large groups of aquatic birds in the marshes and along the River Ruipa, as well as several big Mammals, from the Elephant (Loxodonta africana) to the Buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and the Hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius), as well as several species of antelopes. The itinerary is not difficult, except for the long route by all-terrain vehicle necessary to get to the location, and is suitable for everyone. Costs, conditions, and tour organization are to agree on at Udzungwa Mountains N.P. Headquarter in Mang'ula.
	Kilombero River
	Tour by pirogue lasting 2/3 hours, but with a long journey by car lasting 2/3 hours from the village of Mang'ula to the Ferry Boat of Ifakara to reach the boarding point. The itinerary, outside the borders of Udzungwa Mountains National Park and in the heart of the large valley of River Kilombero, develops along a short but charming stretch of the homonymous river, on pirogues driven by local fishermen and gives the opportunity to discover the various fluvial environments with their interesting aquatic flora and fauna. There is the possibility to observe numerous groups of aquatic birds and several specimens of Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus), Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), and Hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius). The itinerary is not very difficult, unless you are afraid of an experience along the river with a traditional pirogue obtained from a tree trunk, with the possibility to meet imposing and potentially aggressive animals like the hippos. Costs, conditions, and organization are to agree on with the small community of local fishermen, at the boarding point.