Udzungwa Mountains National Park

The park's proximity to Dar es Salaam means that it sees plenty of visitors from around the world, particularly during the dry months. Most tours to the park also include a trip to the nearby Mikumi National Park and/or Ruaha National Park. Longer tours often also include a trip to the Selous Game Reserve. Both private and group tours are available. Safari experiences generally include food and either lodge accommodations or stays at campgrounds.

• Bring sun protection and bug spray and avoid dark colors, which can attract tsetse flies.

• If you have a camera with a telescopic lens, bring it so that you can photograph animals that are far off in the distance.

• Pack plenty of warm clothes, particularly if you’re going on a camping safari.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park is located in the southern part of Tanzania, about a 6.5-hour drive from Dar es Salaam or a 2.5-hour drive from Morogoro. The park is frequently visited in tandem with Mikumi National Park, and safari tours generally include round-trip transportation from Dar es Salaam hotels.

The best time to visit the park is during the annual dry season, which usually runs from June through October. Not only is this a more pleasant time to be outdoors, but you’ll also have the best luck spotting animals when the vegetation isn’t at its densest. There’s also another shorter dry season in January and February.

If you're visiting Udzungwa Mountains National Park as part of a tour, the chances are good that you'll also have the chance to see nearby Mikumi National Park. This massive expanse is a great place for bird-watching, with hundreds of avian species showing up at the park at various points of the year. The park is also home to lots of elands, a type of massive antelope.