Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 023-262 0218; camping US$5, r per person US$30; ) This straightforward hotel,
under the same management as Genesis Motel in Mikumi, has simple rooms in a forested
setting and a restaurant. It's about 800m south of the park entrance along the main road.
Msosa Campsite
CAMPGROUND $
( 0784-414514; camping US$6; ) This very basic but lovely bush campsite is along
the Ruaha River, with wilderness walks at your doorstep. It's a good contact for arranging
excursions to the western part of Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Bring all your own
food and drink, and text or call in advance to let staff know you're coming. Via public
transport, take any bus along the main highway to Al-Jazeera rest stop, where you can rent
a bicycle (Tsh1000 per day, ask at the restaurant) or hire a pick-up truck for the remaining
10km to the campsite, which is down the signposted Udzungwa Mountains National Park
road on the opposite side of the highway. There's also a dalla-dalla several times daily from
Iringa via Al-Jazeera to Msosa village, about 2km before the campsite.
Crocodile Camp
CAMPGROUND, BUNGALOW $
( 0784-706835;
www.crocodilecam.de
; r Tsh70,000, without bathroom Tsh30,000; )
This is a pleasant campsite located just off the main highway 12km east of Ruaha Mbuy-
uni.
INFORMATION
Entry fees are US$20/5 per adult/child aged five to 15 years, payable with Visa or Master-
card plus your PIN. For camping fees,
Click here
. Porter fees range between Tsh5000 and
Tsh12,000 per day, depending on the trail.
The park is best visited between June and October. Many trails are not cleared (and hence
not hikeable) from February through June. For all hikes, you'll need to be accompanied by
a guide (US$10 per group per day) and in wildlife areas, also an armed ranger (US$10 per
group per day). For overnight hikes, allow an extra day at Mang'ula to organise things and
time to get from park headquarters to the trailheads.
The main entrance gate, the
park headquarters
( 023-262 0224;
www.udzungwa.org
)
and the senior park warden's office are in Mang'ula, 60km south of Mikumi town along the
Ifakara road. Entry posts are planned to open at Msosa, about 10km off the main highway
just south of Mbuyuni, and at Udekwa, on the western side of the park and accessed via a
turn-off from the main highway at Ilula (from where it's 60km further). Both will be useful
for those coming from Iringa or wanting to climb Luhombero Peak from the west.
There's a tiny market in Mang'ula near the train station, and another small one in town to
the north of the station, both with limited selections. It's a good idea to stock up on major
