Usambara Mountains

Two things above all: extraordinary biological endemism and excellent walking. The range forms part of the Eastern Arc, whose forests have persisted for tens of millions of years, producing hundreds of plant and animal species found nowhere else, including the African violet. For visitors, the appeal is village-to-village hiking through terraced farmland and forest with long views over the plains. Lushoto is the usual base in the west, with Amani serving the wetter eastern block of the range.

No, and visitors should arrive understanding that. There is very little large game in the Usambaras, and no game drives. This is walking country, focused on forest, farmland, viewpoints and village life. It works particularly well as a contrast to a safari elsewhere in Tanzania, or as a cool break between the coast and the northern circuit. Guides and homestays are arranged through the cultural tourism programmes based in Lushoto and Soni.

Lushoto, the main town in the West Usambaras, lies about 100 kilometres from Tanga and roughly 350 kilometres from Dar es Salaam, and the road climbs steeply from Mombo on the main highway. Buses run to Lushoto daily. Amani in the East Usambaras is reached from Muheza near Tanga on a rougher road requiring a 4×4. Pack a fleece and a waterproof regardless of season, as the contrast with the coastal plain below is considerable.

They range from a few hours to several days, following footpaths between settlements through terraced farmland, forest patches and along ridges. Guides come from the villages, and homestays or simple guesthouses provide accommodation on longer routes. The walking is not technically difficult but is sustained and often steep, and the cultural contact is as much the point as the scenery. Lushoto is the usual base in the west, with Amani serving the wetter eastern block of the range.

It is a protected forest block in the East Usambaras, established around a former colonial botanical garden, and it holds the highest concentration of Eastern Arc endemics in the range. Birders come for species found nowhere else, and the reserve has a small research station and simple accommodation. It is wetter and more remote than the western hills around Lushoto. Guides and homestays are arranged through the cultural tourism programmes based in Lushoto and Soni.

June to October is the dry season and much the best period for walking, with firmer paths and clearer views over the plains. December to February is warm with intermittent showers and works well. March to May brings the long rains, when paths become slippery and longer walks turn into hard work, though the forest is at its most atmospheric for birders. Pack a fleece and a waterproof regardless of season, as the contrast with the coastal plain below is considerable.

Cooler than most visitors expect for Tanzania. At Lushoto around 1,400 metres, days reach only 22°C to 26°C and nights fall to 12°C to 15°C, with the higher ridges colder still. Accommodation rarely has heating. Pack a fleece and a waterproof regardless of season, as the contrast with the coastal plain below is genuinely large. Lushoto is the usual base in the west, with Amani serving the wetter eastern block of the range.

Yes, and they sit conveniently. The range lies between the coast and the northern circuit, so a couple of nights here breaks the drive between Dar es Salaam or Tanga and Arusha. Mkomazi National Park is close by to the north, and the beaches at Pangani are within reach to the east, making a varied northern Tanzania route. Guides and homestays are arranged through the cultural tourism programmes based in Lushoto and Soni.