Uluguru
About Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve
Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve (NFR) comprises the former Uluguru North, Uluguru South, Bunduki I and Bunduki II forest reserves and Bunduki ‘gap’ corridor, where the forest is being restored on former farmland to provide for biological connectivity between northern and southern parts of the Nature Reserve.
Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve has an area of 24,115.09 Ha with a boundary length of 197 kms and surounded by 62 villages, comprising of 91,426,000 persons, surround the Nature Reserve. Most of these villages are located adjacent to its boundary. The vegetation cover comprises sub montane (below 1,500 m), montane (1,600-2,400 m) and upper montane (above 2,400 m) forests, as well as grassland with swampy areas at Lukwangule Plateau, and Kimhandu and Lupanga peaks. In general, species richness decreases with altitude but the number of endemic species is greater at higher altitudes.
Tourist attractions
Uluguru NFR is one of the global centres of biological diversity, recognized at international and national levels as priorities for nature conservation. It is home to a number of endemism for both plants and animals species with some of these species being threatened to extinction due to human activities In comparison with other Eastern Arc Mountains, Uluguru NFR is one among the Nature Reserve in the Eastern Arc having higher number of endemic and near-endemic plant species. The reserve is a haven for at least 135 endemic plant species including rare African violets and orchids resource, and fund better management of the region’s biodiversity. Special sites and features in the UNR include sacred forests, summits and view points like Kimhandu summit, Kitumbaku ridges, Lupanga peaks and Bondwa peak where by various communication towers like that of TTCL are installed and therefore need special attention. Other features include Lukwangule plateau, Kibwe and Hululu water falls; headquarter of the Waluguru’s traditional leader, Chief Kingalu Mwanabanzi XIV and the famous Morning side.
Accessibility
The Uluguru NFR is accessible through eight key routes which includes Bunduki to Nyachiro, Bunduki to Vinile, Morogoro to Morning site, Kola to Bigwa, Kinole to Tegetero, Matombo - Tawa to Nyingwa, Mvuha – Bwakila juu to Lusange, Kibaoni – Nyandira to Tchenzema roads.
Uluguru Mountains Programs
OVERNIGHT OPTION.
CHOMA, MORNINGSIDE AND BONDWA PEAK
3 days 2 nights.
Day 1: Have breakfast in the morning there after start walking back to Morogoro which will take us around 2.30-3 hours
OVERNIGHT OPTIONS.
CHOMA WATERFALLS, MORNINGSIDE & BONDWA PEAK.
2 days 1 night.
Day 1: You wiil be picked up from your hotel/ visit our office at 8:30am where you meet a guide and start hiking to uluguru mountain.
You will walk through choma waterfall, kisosa village (panoramic view point) then heading to Morningside camp. You will have lunch h at choma waterfall, the whole walk will take 7 to 8 hours.
Once you arrived at morning side you will relax, keep your luggage in the tents, enjoying the scenery and beautiful landscape.
There after you will have dinner there after you go back in your tents for overnight stay. Day 2.
Early in the morning after breakfast at 6:30 am we start hiking to bondwa peak, the tour will take 4 to 5 hours from Morningside go and return
After coming back to Morningside, you will have lunch the start walking back to Morogoro.
OVERNIGHT OPTION.
CHOMA WATERFALLS, MORNINGSIDE & BONDWA PEAK.
3 days 2 night.
Day 1: You will be picked up from your hotel/ visit our office at 8:30am where you meet a guide and start hiking to uluguru mountains, at Choma village where you will stay overnight (home stay) and also you may participate in traditional activities such as mate weaving, pots making and cooking uluguru traditional food.
Day 2: After breakfast we keep walking to Morningside via kisosa village (panoramic view) once you arrived at Morningside you will relax for a few minutes then you will collect your lunch and keep walking to Bondwa peak about 5 to 5.5 hours go and return from Morningside. After
reaching at the peak if no clouds you will enjoy the nice scenery of Morogoro there after you start walking back to Morningside for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay (camping).
Day 3: In the morning after breakfast we walk back to Morogoro about 3 hours from Morningside.
DAY TRIP OPTION.
LUKWANGULE PEAK (2644 meters above sea level)
Lukwangule peak is the first highest peak of uluguru mountains, it is a physical challenging tour which takes 7 to 8 hours from the starring point (kibagala village). It is about 55 km drive from Morogoro town to the starting (kibagala village). At the reserve you will walk through the forest and in the wonderful lukwangule plateau you will learn lots about luguru culture in the villages before the forest, in the reserve you will see the beautiful flowers, butterfly, monkeys, birds and plants.
LUPANGA PEAK (2138 meters above sea level).
It is a third highest peak of uluguru mountain, it is physical challenging tour which takes 9 to 11 hours go and return. At the beginning you will walk in through kibwe village for 30 minutes then heading at the uliguru forest, this tour it is challenging since at the beginning.
DAY TRIP OPTION.
KIMHANDU PEAK (2638 Meters above sea level)
It is a second highest peak of uluguru mountains, it is physical challenging tour which takes 10- 12 hours or more we recommend this tour for the good hikers.
It located 55 kilometers from Morogoro town, will take a car 4WD from Morogoro town up to lanzi village then from lanzi village will take a motorcycle to Nyingwa village where you will start hiking to kimhandu peak. One way to the peak may take 7 to 8 hours depend on the walking speed, and walking down also may take 4 hours or 5hours.
DAY TRIP OPTION.
BONDWA PEAK (2080 Meters above sea level)
It is a fourth highest peak of uluguru mountains it is challenging tour but normally at the beginning before the forest, once you enter in the forest it is medium not challenging as outside the forest. At peak you may see the view of Morogoro town and other area which near by Morogoro town. This tour takes 8 to 9 hours go and return from Morogoro town.
DAY TRIP OPTION.
CHOMA WATERFALL (1200 meters above sea level)It is a medium tour which takes 6 to 7 hours go and return from Morogoro town. On the way to the waterfall you will walk through the villages where you will lots about luguru culture, you will see the nice landscape and Morogoro view point.
Choma waterfalls it is a cool place where you can swim and enjoy the scenery of this place.
DAY TRIP & OVERNIGHT OPTION.
MORNING SITE TOUR (1300 meters above sea level)
It is an Old Germany Settlement it was built in 1911 and come into Operational in 1970s Morning side is located 8km from South East of Morogoro. It takes 7-8 Hour go and return, about 1500 meters above sea level. Also, Morning Side, it is a best view point over Morogoro town, you can Camp at this place and smell the nature flavor.
It is a medium tour which takes 7 to 8 hours go and return from Morogoro town
1 Night 2 days it costs 100 USD per person. Full board. 2 Night 3 days it costs 150 USD per person. Full board
DAY TRIP & OVERNIGHT OPTION. HULULU WATER FALL TOUR
The falls are located 53.3km to the southeast of Morogoro town, at vinile village in Bunduki ward. The tour starts from Morogoro town by car to vinile, then half an hour walk to the falls in Mgeta River. While in this area you can easily watch endemic reptiles such as lizards, Uluguru three-horned, two and one-horned chameleons’ endemic plant species such as Allanblackia uluguruensis and saintpaulia goetzeana. On the way to Hululu waterfalls, you will find the Bunduki campsite and rest house. The rest house is fully furnished with all the sleeping facilities. There is enough space for camp.
1 Night 2 days costs USD 245 pp. full board with transport. 2 Nights 3 days costs USD 410 pp. full board with transport.
DAY TRIP OPTION & OVERNIGHT. KINOLE VILLAGE TOUR
Is the headquarter of the Waluguru`s Chief Kingalu. The place is located 50 kilometers from Morogoro town in the Foots of Eastern side of Uluguru Mountains. At this Tour you will enjoy the nice Waterfall known as Kisimbi Waterfall approximately 30 or 35 meters. Kinole village it is a nice place for camping and tour can do a village around Kinole town you may visit Kinole Market, Farms for different Crops such, Pineapples, black pepper, cloves and Bananas.
DAY TRIP COST
Hiking costs 35 USD per person. With permits.
Visiting chief of Waluguru costs 15 USD per person as entry fee where you will learn about Luguru cultures and Luguru story telling from chief Kingalu.
1 Night 2 days costs 195 USD per person full board with transport costs. 2 Night 3 days costs 340 USD per person full board with transport costs.
DAY TRIP & OVERNIGHT OPTION. TEGETERO FOREST TOUR:
This Tour will take you all the way passing through Kinole Village. It`s approximately 5 kilometers From Morogoro town, this tour needs to drive all the way up to the starting point [Tegetero Mission] about [3-4 Hours]. In Tegetero Forest you will be able to see Uluguru Bush Shrike, [Allaublackia Mluguruensis and saint paulia species]. All are endemic to Uluguru Mountain.
DAY TRIP & OVERNIGHT OPTION. MASAAI TOUR
Africa is Home of some of the last serving traditional cultures on the Earth. Masaai one of the well-known tribes are recognized for their unique and ancient rituals, they are among the best- known local populations internationally due to their residence near many Game parks of Africa`s Great Lakes and their distinctive custom and dress, they speak Masaai Language and Swahili. Many years Masaai people were eating raw meat, Cow blood, and milk as their main Food. Once you visit Masaai village you will participate in a different activity such as Cow milking, grazing of cows and Goats, Visiting Orpul [ masaai conference hall], Visiting Masaai Huts, Masaai traditional dance, Wearing Masaai Cloths, Making jewelry.
At Masaai village you can Camp or sleep in the Masaai huts. But if you go there as a day trip you will miss some activities such, Milking because they do milking cows early in the morning, Every Friday and Saturday you can visit Masaai market; these markets are operating in a different locations.
On Friday you can visit Melela market which is located on the way to Iringa region. On Saturdays you can visit Dakawa market which is located on the way to Dodoma. These markets are open 7:00 Am until 6:30 Pm.
TEGETERO TREKKING TOUR OPTION 1 (OVERNIGHT)
3 NIGHTS 4 DAYS
Day 1: Start walking from Morogoro via Morning side Kisosa up to the forest camp with our packed lunch, this walk may take 5-9 Hours. Once we arrive at the camping site, we setup the camp and prepare our dinner. Then stay overnight.
Day 2: After breakfast, starting walking from forest camp up to Tegetero Mission where you will camp, this may take 5 - 6 Hours walking through the forest up to Tegetero Mission. Setup tents and prepare our dinner. Stay overnight in our tents.
Day 3: Start walking from Tegetero Mission to Kinole village about 3-4 Hours, once you arrived at
Kinole village you catch a public transport to Morogoro town about 2 Hours’ drive
KIMBOZA FOREST TOUR
Kimboza Forest is a lowland forest in Tanzania located at the foothills of the Uluguru Mountains ECoordinates. The large Ruvu River crosses the reserve and the forest stretches to the top of the nearby hills. It is interspersed by massive rock outcrops and has several permanent small streams. The area is of special conservation interest due to its exceptional biodiversity, including many endemic plants and animals.Many medicinal wild plant species are used by local inhabitants around the Kimboza Forest Reserve. Kimboza Forest Reserve was established in 1964.The area is home to at least 226 vertebrate species, including 52 amphibians and 174 mammals. It has been described as the most important and species-rich lowland forest on limestone in Africa. The forest holds special significance for conservation of the turquoise gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi), being only one of two localities in Tanzania where this critically endangered species is found.
It is possible to visit as a day trip and overnight. It takes 1 hour drive from Morogoro town, about 43 kilometers.
LUKWANGULE PLATEAU TOUR
Lukwangule Plateau is located on the Uluguru South Mountains, Tanzania. The Uluguru Mountains form part of the Eastern Arc Mountains which are the biodiversity hotspots. This plateau rises to about 2644 meters above sea level and is a mosaic of grassland and forest patches. Due to its altitudinal location, the plateau is characterized by relatively low temperatures which are important in shaping the behavior of amphibians in an area. At least five species of anurans are found on the plateau. These species inhabit different habitats of the plateau such as grassland, forest and wetlands. This book provides details of the ecology of the anuran species found on the plateau including their abundance, the influence of temperature and rainfall on vocalization, reproductive condition, clutch size and sex ratio during different seasons of the year. Information on the diet of different species and the relationship between body mass and snout-vent length is given.
Lukwangule plateau there ara well designed nature trails and campsite for hikers and campers.
It about 55 kilometers from Morogoro town by drive for 2-2.5 hours to the starting point of Kibagala village.
Then from kibagala villgae it takes 7 to 8 hours to hike to the plateau/lukwangule peak go and return.
But if going there for camping you will walk only for 4 hours from the starting point to the camp which is in the lukwangule forest/reserve.
