South and east of Morogoro, the agricultural main city in Tanzania, bordering to Mikumi National Park and Selous Game Reserve, the intriguing Uluguru Mountains lure you into its rainforest, birdlife and peak after peak of lulling green tops.
Rising to over 2,600m with two mountain blocks, Uluguru Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, old crystalline chain of mountains extending from south east Kenya to the south east of Tanzania, recognized as a global biodiversity “hot spot”, for high species richness, large number of endemic plant and animal species, and the delicate nature from human caused disturbances. Among them are Usambara Mountains and Udzungwa Mountains. These mountains are also given credit for the unique and diverse hydrological importance to the forest vegetation
There are 15 species of birds which are under conservation interest, 11 endemic reptiles and amphibians, three threatened and two endemic mammals. Much of the mountains are covered with forest reserves that contains some of the oldest species trees
Facts:
Uluguru Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc mountain chain.
To visit Morningside, a old German mountain hut at about 1000 m above sea level are one of the most popular hikes, a short daytrip.
For the “top of the world” feeling, set your plan for hiking to Lupanga Peak, 2150 m above sea level, a tough walk of 6 to 8 hours. The inside of the forest on the way up can be slippery and difficult in the rain, but you might be awarded with meeting some rare birdlife.
History
A part of a more than 25 million year old mountain chain, and although the mountain in the 1960s were still covered by forest, there are now luckily some established forest reserves and conservation projects.
For over three centuries the mountain and its surroundings has mainly been the home to the Luguru, the main tribe in the area. The name means “people of the mountain” and about 1,2 million of them now live in and around the mountains, mainly with agriculture as their way of surviving.
Nature and wildlife
Uluguru can show you some of the world’s richest and most species-diverse rainforests, containing more than ten endemic reptilian and amphibian species and over a hundred endemic plants, including African violet, busy lizzie and begonias.
Of the mammals you can meet here are yellow baboons, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, wild pigs and duiker antelopes, but still the mountains are most known for its birdlife, which include fifteen rare or unique species.
Culture Tour in Uluguru
MORNING SIDE
The tour starts from the office via Towelo and Ruvuma village and walk to morning side, Old German Settlement. On the way back enjoy the beautiful scenery over the farming land and the view of Morogoro town. Also pass through the ports and cooker maker
USOLO TOUR
Drive from Morogoro to Mtamba via Mikuyuni center to Usolo (foot print), enjoy walking, fishing and experience of local people’s life. Further more take a chance to visit stone women breast (Matombo)
KINOLE VILLAGE
Start from Kinole village via Tegetero and Bangilo village crossing the forests, before descending over Uluguru Mountain to Morogoro Town; This tour offers birding opportunity in Uluguru (“bush shrikes”); primate watch: blue monkeys and (black and white) Colobus monkeys,
LUPANGA TOUR
Test the of yourself by climbing LUPANGA peak (2150) on your way up, enjoy the beautiful waterfall, cool rainforest monkeys endemic species of birds, plants and the colourful butterflies.
BUNDUKI TOUR
A largest Hululu waterfall flowing about 50m high Take a drive for two hours ,then a hike for an hour before reaching the holly place where Hululu waterfalls. Swimming and camping can be offered
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