Udzungwa, a safari trekking
Already more than two months spent in Tanzania, I think it is time for me to do again a break in the work. Let's go, with David and Michael (two volunteers), I go to make a small trek in the mountains, into Udzungwa National Park.
It is decided, we leave for 4 days: one day in the transport to go to the park and to visit the surroundings and to learn for the randos, two days to walk into the park, and a half day to return to the camp. For our stay, we slept or rather camped in Udzungwa Mountain view hostel (located at 500m from the park, along the main road) and ate in Twiga hostel (at 300m in front of the park). Moreover, in hindsight, it would have been better to camp in Twiga hostel which is a better place to eat and relax but especially ideal to spend a quiet night away from the road and traffic, and for just two dollars more.
Finally, after going to buy our breakfast and lunch in the shops of Mang'ula, we go to make a turn at the entrance of the park to learn a little more about the different trails. As agreed, according to our desires and the time we had, we went on the hikes "Campsite 3" and "Sanje waterfall, two interesting trails taking place on a day.
DAY 1. It's time, as expected, we decide to make the trail "Campsite 3" for our first day at the park. On the program, 14 km walk, a large waterfall to see, many species of primates and other animals to see. Because yes, it is necessary to remember that the park of Udzungwa is an ideal place in Tanzania to see primates. This park is home to 11 species of monkeys, two of which are endemic to the park : Cercocebus sanjei (Cercocebus galeritus sanjei) et Udzungwa Red Colobus (Piliocolobus gordonolum).
For this hike, we needed a guide and a ranger to accompany us. The start was very difficult, the difference in height is very important for the first five kilometers. Besides, even if it was the morning, it was very hot and humid, personaly, I felt like being in the rain so that my face was inundated with drops of sweat. A really challenging start but it is a very good fitness exercise, with a nice surprise behind. After walking this 5km of slope, we arrived at the waterfall, just magnificent and perfect to refresh your head. Moreover, during this hike, I had the luck to see a beautiful snake, Thelotornis mossambicus, but carreful, mortal for the man. I was able to see and hear many monkeys (four species in total) that day, in addition to birds, insects, small mammals like the hyrax and to observe fresh traces of large mammals such as buffalo or The elephant.
(Papio cynocephalus)
(Papio cynocephalus)
DAY 2. We are very tired of the hike from yesterday but it's ok, we put it back today, with the trail "Sanje Waterfall", much shorter and more relaxed. But, before, we had to wait a bit on the roadside, with our guide, in order to find a vehicle that can take us to the entrance of this trail (located 9km above the entrance of the Park).
The hike begins along a river for about 1km, and then get deeper into the forest of the park. After a few kilometers of walk, we arrive at the river Sanje where two paths open to us. To the right, a path leads to the waterfall 2 and 3 of Sanje, two magnificent waterfalls, especially the number 3 where you can bathe and to cool off under this walk and heat, sometimes heavy. The waterfall 3 of Sanje is truly a beautiful and perfect place for lunch.. Otherwise, there is the left path, which leads us to the continuity of the hike and this super view that we have on the Kilombero valley, from the top of the cascade 1 (170m high), which is also a very nice place for lunch.
As you can see, there are beautiful landscapes during this trail. But there is also wildlife, less visible than in trail "Campsite 3", but still presents. It's three species of monkeys that were observed during this hike : Udzungwa red colobus (Piliocolobus gordonolum), Tanzanian black-and-white colobus (Colobus angolensis palliatus) and Blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis). In addition to these species, I also observed two snakes (unfortunately, too fast to identify pr take picture) as well as several species of birds and bug.
We finish this hike on a small stand with some souvenirs (wooden statues of animals, necklaces, paintings, etc.) and some fruits to buy. So if you want to leave with a few things, a small souvenir for you or your friend, don't hesitate .. Especially that the prices will be lower than those of the lodges as at Tan Swiss, where there, prices are not negotiable.
Finally, the hike is over, and although we bought a small souvenir and a little fruit to refresh, now we have to go back to the hotel .. So, we wait that a bus or a car stops to bring us back to our hotel. At the beginning of the day, it was by bus that we made the road, for the return, it was by car and there, it was quite funny. Why, because make 10 kilometers, at 14 (3,4,4,3) in a car for 8 people with, of course, our bags and those of the other passengers. Right away, we feel closer to his neighbor .. and tighter too .. To be short, I spent another great day and very different from the first.
(Cercopithecus mitis)
(Chlorocebus pygerythrus)
(Cercopithecus mitis)
To finish, through these words and photos, I hope to have share the pleasure and the beauty of these hikes in the park of Udzungwa. If you are going to Tanzania, of course, do you a safari, but before you want to make another one, stop you in this park, and lives a magical experience and different moments from what a safari can offer you. I recommend it to all hiking enthusiasts, amateur or advanced .. Go there!