|  | The Terrestrial National Park The Udzungwa Mountain National Park, which is 1990 square kilometers, is the first terrestrial national park in Tanzania. It is well known for its biologically diverse forest with approximately 20 - 30% out of 200 animals and plant species that grow here not found anywhere in the world. Still it is really beautiful place for hiking. Location: The mountains are located in the Southern Central part of Tanzania (Mang'ula in Morogoro region), rising abruptly from Kilombero Plain. Udzungwa Mountains are covered with dense forest, which supported by the heavy rainfalls Among the factors that have contributed to the richness of this park is the altitude which ranges between 200 and 2600 meters. This helps the condensation of moist winds from the Indian Ocean, which then forms rains. This characteristic has made the Udzungwa Mountains to be the source of water catchments for the tributaries of River Kilombero, which is one among two rivers that form the Rufiji River.
The climate relatively cool with Cold Water Rivers. Main Features: The mountains ascends from 300 meters in the great Ruaha river valley in the north and north east of Tanzania to Luhomero, its highest point at 2,576 meters above sea level. In between, there are rolling hills, dissected plateaux, waterfalls and an undulating upland blanketed by a thick rain forest which colours the area with an ethereal beauty. Wildlife: Variety of animal species can be found here, including water buffalo, elephants, leopards and full of reptiles such as chameleon and snakes. Other animals include rare primates red colobus, sanje crested mangabey monkeys, black and yellow baboon, which live in slopes of mountain all sharing the same habitation. Udzungwa National Park is now one of the top ten forests for bird conservation in Africa. |