Usambara Mountains
The Usambara Mountains are a great buckle of steep sided ridges and intensely farmed or forested hills that rise up behind Tanzania’s northeastern coastal zone.
The attraction of hiking here isn’t big summits, but cultural interaction and village life. It’s a delightful area that rewards the inquisitive and those prepared to rough it a bit.
For me, it’s one of East Africa’s most rewarding hiking areas. Most people do a three to four day hike through the range but day walks are also possible.
Hidden gems in Usambara Mountains
Usambara Mountains
Endemic wildlife in the Eastern Arc Mountains
Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains are listed among the world's top 20 biodiversity hotspots. Comprising a dozen different ranges scattered along the country's eastern coastal belt, these lushly forested mountains – sometimes dubbed the African Galápagos – support a wealth of unique creatures, including 75 vertebrate species found nowhere else in the world. The best known range is West Usambara, where several guided hikes are offered by a community project based in the lovely small town of Lushoto. For birders, a great starting point is Amani Nature Reserve in East Usambara, while primate enthusiasts are pointed to Udzungwa Mountains National Park, which hosts three monkey species unique to this part of Tanzania. Adventurous travelers could literally spend months exploring this little-visited region, much of which remains undeveloped for tourism.
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Usambara Mountains
Trekking the Usambara Mountains
Hiking in Tanzania isn’t only about conquering towering summits. If you’re less interested in bragging rights and care more for natural and cultural immersion in lesser-visited locations, the Usambara Mountains might be for you. Nestled between Kilimanjaro and the Indian Ocean, the Usambara Mountains are said to be Africa’s second most biodiverse national park. A trek here can last from a few days to over a week, depending on your chosen trail and pace. You’ll see tea plantations and tropical rainforests to mountain ridges with incredible panoramic views. The trails are relatively gentle, making this area accessible to most hikers. Along the way, you’ll immerse yourself in local culture, visiting traditional villages and meeting the local Shambaa people. Accommodation options vary from simple guesthouses to camping.
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Endemic wildlife in the Eastern Arc Mountains
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