 Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a paradise for hikers and one of Tanzania's most beautiful wilderness areas. Its most striking feature, apart from its mountainous terrain, is its pristine and biologically diverse forest which hosts a variety of animal and plant species not found anywhere else in the world. Among its residents are six species of primates, including the rare Iringa red colobus and the Sange crested mangabey monkeys, as well as populations of elephant, buffalo, leopard, and a rich variety of birdlife. The rare Udzungwa partridge is endemic to the area and has been sighted near the park's boundaries.
The high degree of endemism and biodiversity that characterises Udzungwa is due mainly to the area's constant climate over millions of years, which has given species a chance to evolve. Another factor is Udzungwa's altitudinal range. From the low-lying Kilombero Valley south-west of Udzungwa (at approximate 200m) to Luhombero peak (2579m), there is essentially continuous forest. The area is one of the few places in Africa with continuous rainforest over such a great span.
There are no roads in Udzungwa; instead, there are about four major and several lesser hiking paths winding through various sections of the park. Popular hikes include a short but steep half-day hike to Sange waterfalls, and a two day climb to the top of Luhombero, Udzungwa's highest peak.
Udzungwa, which has an area of 1900 km2 , was gazetted in 1992 and is Tanzania's newest national park.
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