National park · Tanzania
Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Buy a park entry ticket (≈ TZS 20 000‑30 000 per adult) and choose a day hike – the 3‑5 km (3.1 mi) Sanje Waterfalls loop for a quick visit, or a multi‑day trek (e.g., Mwanihana peak) for 2‑4 days; go in the dry season (June‑October) to avoid rain‑slick trails.Buy a park entry ticket (≈ TZS 20 000‑30 000 per adult) and choose a day hike – the 3‑3.1 mi (5 km) Sanje Waterfalls loop for a quick visit, or a multi‑day trek (e.g., Mwanihana peak) for 2‑4 days; go in the dry season (June‑October) to avoid rain‑slick trails.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3,400 km² (1,313 sq mi)1,313 sq mi (3,400 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Jun–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Tanzania ↗Apply for the Tanzania e-visa only on the official immigration portal; Zanzibar and, from 1 October 2026, mainland Tanzania each require their own US$44 inbound insurance bought from the state insurer's site.
- Tanzania ↗Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from or connect through a risk country such as Kenya or Ethiopia; see a travel clinic about malaria several weeks ahead.
- Tanzania ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you arrive.
- Tanzania ↗Light aircraft between parks and to Zanzibar have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Central Tanzania ↗Ruaha, Mikumi and Udzungwa are national parks with separate entry fees; pay through the official park system, not a roadside agent.
- Central Tanzania ↗Tarmac covers the main Dar es Salaam–Morogoro–Dodoma corridor; most park access roads are gravel and slow in the rains.
At a glance
- Country
- Tanzania
- Area
- 3,400 km² (1,313 sq mi)1,313 sq mi (3,400 km²)
- approximate; official size not listed in sources
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Morogoro
Udzungwa Mountains National Park, established in 1992, protects a range of forest habitats in central Tanzania that host a high number of endemic species, including three primates found nowhere else. The park offers short waterfall walks such as the Sanje Waterfalls loop and longer treks like the Mwanihana peak and Lumemo Trail, all accessible only on foot. Entry fees are modest, and the dry season (June–October) provides the most reliable conditions for hiking.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteRecognised as a biodiversity hotspot in Tanzania
Size and age
3,400 km² (1,313 sq mi)1,313 sq mi (3,400 km²) · national park since 1992
approximate; official size not listed in sources
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Morogoro.
Why go
- Explore a primate hotspot with 12 species, including three endemics.
- Hike to Sanje Waterfalls – a 3‑5 km (3.1 mi) circuit with swim‑able plunge pools.Hike to Sanje Waterfalls – a 3‑3.1 mi (5 km) circuit with swim‑able plunge pools.
- Undertake longer treks (Mwanihana peak, Lumemo Trail) for remote forest experience.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, trails slippery
- FebRainy, trails slippery
- MarRainy, trails slippery
- AprRainy, trails slippery
- MayRainy, trails slippery
- JunDry, cooler
- JulDry, cooler
- AugDry, cooler
- SepDry, cooler
- OctDry, cooler
- NovRain starts
- DecRain starts
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endemic primates (Sanje Mangabey, Iringa Red Colobus, Kipunji)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 400 bird species, many endemicsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Dar es Salaam
5‑hour drive via Morogoro and Mikumi, then 24 km (15 mi) graded road to Mang'ula village5‑hour drive via Morogoro and Mikumi, then 15 mi (24 km) graded road to Mang'ula village
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Morogoro
Drive 158 km (98 mi) west, passing Mikumi, then continue on graded roadDrive 98 mi (158 km) west, passing Mikumi, then continue on graded road
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Ifakara (train)
TAZARA train to Mang'ula (6‑7 h), then walk to headquarters
6–7 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters (Mang'ula) | Gate, visitor centre, trailheads, basic accommodation | Open with entry ticket |
| Sanje Waterfalls area | Short loop trail, swimming pools, picnic sites | Open; no guide needed |
| Mwanihana peak trail | Long‑distance trek, campsites, summit | Guide required, permit needed |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on park headquarters location.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | TZS 20,000–30,000 | person | 2026 estimate |
| Camping fee (adult) | US$30,000 | person | per night, from park fee list |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Multi‑day trek permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- TZS 20,000–30,000
- US$30,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Udzungwa Mountains National Park – Tanzania Parks before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the headquarters area.
- Camping
- Allowed only at designated sites; pay park fee.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach primates.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park permission.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Udzungwa Forest Camp, Hondo Hondo
Tented camp with en‑suite tents, bar and restaurant.
Near the park
Village guest houses
Basic rooms in Mang'ula village, cheap.
Safety
Rain‑slick trails medium
Getting lost on long treks high
Wild animals (hippos, crocodiles) medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters and short trails are reachable by car with short walks.
- Long treks involve steep, rugged terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use designated campsites and pack out all waste.
- Support local guides and village enterprises.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Udzungwa Mountains National Park?
Adult entry is about TZS 20 000‑30 000 per person; children pay less. Fees are payable at the headquarters gate.
What are the best hikes in Udzungwa Mountains National Park?
For a short visit, the 3‑5 km Sanje Waterfalls loop is popular. For multi‑day adventure, try the Mwanihana peak trek (2‑3 days) or the Lumemo Trail (up to 4 days).
When is the best time to visit Udzungwa Mountains National Park?
The dry season from June to October offers cooler, drier conditions and safer trail footing.
Can I camp inside the park?
Yes, at designated campsites (including at Sanje Waterfalls). Pay a park camping fee (≈ US$30 per adult per night).
Do I need a guide for any hikes?
Guides are mandatory for any trek beyond the headquarters area, such as Mwanihana peak or Lumemo Trail.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go