Udzungwa Mountains National Park at a glance
Udzungwa is a park of its own, set up in 1992 and covering about 1,990 square kilometres of the Eastern Arc Mountains. Where Mikumi is open savanna, Udzungwa is forest: steep slopes, waterfalls and trails that climb through the canopy. The main walk goes to the Sanje waterfalls, a drop of about 170 metres.
The park gate is at Mang'ula. You reach it from Mikumi town on the road towards Ifakara and Kilombero, so many visitors combine the two parks. If you plan both, read about Mikumi wildlife and the Mikumi park fees, because each park charges its own entry.
Sanje waterfalls
The best-known walk in the park.
The Sanje waterfalls fall in several steps down a forested escarpment. The falls drop about 170 metres in cascades rather than a single fall, and the outing is usually a half-day walk. That is a guide to scale, not a promise of how long you will take. Ask at the gate for the current route length and the time to allow.
The trail climbs through forest, so wear shoes with grip and bring water. After rain the path can be slippery. Swim only at pools that are signed and open under current conditions. Not every waterfall pool is cleared for swimming, and nothing in the park rules gives a general permission.
Our pick: Mikumi and Udzungwa together
This trip covers both parks, including a full day on the trail in Udzungwa.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Trips to Udzungwa and Mikumi
Guided trips that combine Mikumi game drives with Udzungwa, or that start in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Check which park each tour enters.
Udzungwa primates and forest wildlife
Species that make the park special.
Udzungwa red colobus
The Udzungwa, or Iringa, red colobus is one of the endemic primates of the Udzungwa landscape. You look for it in the forest and at its edge.
Sanje mangabey
The Sanje mangabey is the other endemic primate named for the park. Endemic here means it belongs to the mountains, not that you will find it behind the first tree.
These are sightings you hope for, not ones you can count on. A guide helps, because the forest is dense.
How to get from Mikumi to Udzungwa
The park headquarters at Mang'ula are reached from Mikumi town on the road towards Ifakara and Kilombero. The distance is roughly 60 to 65 km and a drive usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the road and your stops. Road and path conditions change with the season, so ask locally before you set off.
From Dar es Salaam the route follows the A7 through Morogoro to Mikumi town, then branches off. Our guide to getting to Mikumi covers the train and road legs. The Mikumi safari from Dar es Salaam page shows trips that start there.
Udzungwa entrance fee and rules
Prices from the 2023/24 tariff and rates quoted for 2026/27.
| Visitor group | Age 16 and over | Age 5 to 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-East African visitors, 2023/24 tariff | $30 | $10 |
| Residents of Tanzania, 2023/24 tariff | $15 | $5 |
| East African citizens, 2023/24 tariff | TZS 5,000 | TZS 2,000 |
| Rates quoted for 2026/27 | $50, East African residents TZS 10,000 | $15 |
Udzungwa falls in the same fee category as Mikumi in the 2023/24 tariff, but you pay for each park separately. Confirm the current amount and whether VAT is added before you book.
Stay on marked paths
Walk only on marked paths. Register your route at the gate.
Use an authorised guide
Hire an authorised guide as the park requires.
Swim only where signed
Swim only at signed pools that are open at the time.
Planning a Mikumi and Udzungwa trip
Practical points for combining the two parks.
Give each park its own time
Mikumi town to Mang'ula takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours each way, and the Sanje walk is a half-day outing. A game drive and the waterfalls on the same day make a long day, so many trips give each park its own morning.
Drive in daylight
Driving at night outside larger towns is not advised. Plan your return to Mikumi town or Morogoro while it is still light.
Insurance and visa
Since 1 October 2026 the mainland also requires state entry insurance, at $44 for up to 92 days. A single-entry visa costs $50 for up to 90 days, and nationalities differ, so check your own rules. Both change, so confirm them before you fly.
Where to stay near Udzungwa
Camping and guesthouses.
The park has public campsites and special campsites, and guesthouses stand in the area around it. Special campsites must be booked in advance. Public camping inside the park was $30 per adult per night in the 2023/24 tariff. For beds near Mikumi town, see the Mikumi accommodation page.
More to plan around Udzungwa
Pages that fit this stop.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park: frequently asked questions
Where is Udzungwa Mountains National Park?
It is a national park of its own in the Eastern Arc Mountains. The gate is at Mang'ula, reached from Mikumi town on the road towards Ifakara and Kilombero.
How tall are the Sanje waterfalls?
About 170 metres, in cascades, and the walk is usually a half-day outing. Ask at the gate for the current route and time.
Which monkeys live in Udzungwa?
The Udzungwa red colobus and the Sanje mangabey are endemic primates of the area. Sightings depend on the day.
Does the Mikumi ticket cover Udzungwa?
No. The two parks are in the same fee category in the tariff, but each charges its own entry.
Can I swim at the Sanje waterfalls?
Only at pools that are signed and open under current conditions. There is no general permission for all waterfalls.
Do I need a guide in Udzungwa?
Yes, hire an authorised guide as the park requires, walk only on marked paths and register your route at the gate.