Usambara Mountains

The Usambara's are a part of the ancient Eastern Arc chain which mountains stretch in a broken crescent from the Taita hills in southern Kenya down to Morogoro and the southern highlands. They are estimated to be at least 100 million years old and the rocks forming them may be as much as…

Park summary

• Type

  Mountain Range

• Size

  The Usambaras are approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi) long and ranging from 30–50 kilometres (19–31 mi) in width

• Distance

  Dar es Salaam - Lushoto: 6 hrs - Dar es Salaam - Mombo: 5 hrs

• Best Time to Visit

  Although the climate is comfortable year-round, paths get too muddy for trekking during the rainy season from March through May. The best time to visit is from June to November, after the rains and when the air is clearest.

• When to Go

  Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Descriptions

The Usambara's are a part of the ancient Eastern Arc chain which mountains stretch in a broken crescent from the Taita hills in southern Kenya down to Morogoro and the southern highlands. They are estimated to be at least 100 million years old and the rocks forming them may be as much as 600 million years old. The mountains are home to an exceptional assortment of plants and animals and represent one of the highest degrees of biodiversity on the continent. 

The Usambaras offer incredible natural biodiversity, especially bird-life and great walking culminating in breath-taking viewpoints. Some of the tops rise to well over 2400m.

You will be based in the Western Usambaras, which is a densely populated region of Tanzania due to the cooler climate - good for arable farming. It is a perfect place to get to know some of the local people and try some of the locally run Cultural Tourism Programmes.

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