Udzungwa Mountain National Park: Tanzania’s Biodiversity Hotspot
Udzungwa Mountain National Park is one of Tanzania’s most remarkable parks for biodiversity, forming part of the ancient Eastern Arc Mountains. This park contains remnants of a prehistoric rainforest that once stretched along the Eastern Rift Valley, leaving only a few isolated patches today. Over millennia, Udzungwa has evolved into a unique ecosystem brimming with endemic species found nowhere else on earth, making it a hub for scientific discovery. Researchers continue to uncover new species here, from plants and birds to mammals and butterflies. Notable discoveries in recent years include the Kipunji monkey—the first new genus of monkey discovered in 83 years—and a giant elephant shrew, the first of its kind identified in 125 years.
Separated from Madagascar around 165 million years ago, the Udzungwa forests share ancient ties with those on the island. About 6 million years ago, Udzungwa’s rainforests were also isolated from the West African forests, fostering an extraordinary level of endemism. Approximately 25% of Udzungwa’s plant species are found nowhere else.
Among the park’s ten primate species, four are found only in Udzungwa, including the Red Hehe colobus and the Crested Mangaby. The park is also home to two unique bushbabies (galagos) and several endemic birds, such as the Rufous-winged sunbird and the Udzungwa partridge. New discoveries are frequent, with two new mammal genera identified in the past decade. The giant elephant shrew, or “Sengi,” captured on film in 2005, is a foot-long relative of ancient African mammals like the elephant and aardvark, sharing a common ancestor over 100 million years ago.
Another recent discovery, the Kipunji monkey—a large, gray monkey with baboon-like features—was formally identified in 2006 in both the Rungwa and Udzungwa regions.
Visitors can experience Udzungwa’s incredible biodiversity with a day of trekking under the rainforest canopy to Sanje Waterfalls, where panoramic views of the Rift Valley await. This moderately challenging hike is suitable for adults but may not be ideal for young children or visitors with mobility concerns.
