Usambara Mountains
Explore the stunning Usambara Mountains in Tanga, Tanzania, known for their incredible hiking trails and the fascinating Mumbe Caves. Learn more about this hidden gem.
Usambara Mountains
Usambara Mountains
Usambara is a beautiful mountain range with grassy plains and virgin tropical rainforest. The area has many colorful villages you can visit during your stay here. The Usambara mountains are located northeastern Tanzania, near Mkomazi National Park, about 3 hours’ drive (110 km) west of Tanga.
It is one of the undiscovered places in Tanzania. And this is what makes it a true paradise for nature and hiking lovers. The lush green mountains have a cool climate that is ideal for walks and hikes. But one of the best reasons to hike the Usambara Mountains is the amazing view. You’ll see sweeping hills, mountains, valleys, farmland, picturesque villages, colorful markets and plantations everywhere you go.
The Usambara Mountains comprise the easternmost ranges of the Eastern Arc Mountains. They are 90 km long and about half that wide. Faulting and uplifting formed them nearly two million years ago, and they are composed of Precambrian metamorphic rocks.
Birds in Usambara
Usambara Mountains are very unusual in East Africa with their natural regions still covered in tropical forests and therefore they are considered a tremendously significant ecologically and a biodiversity hotspot with many protected zones. Several species are living in the Usambara forests, including the Usambara eagle-owl, the Usambara akalat, the Usambara weaver and the African violet. You can also spot other bird like the Mountain buzzard, Crown eagle, Eastern bronze-naped pigeon, Lemon and Dusky turtle dove and the Hartlaub’s Turaco.
Flora and Fauna found in the Usambara Mountains
You can find over 3000 plant species and over 600 tree species that thrive in the Usambara Mountains. Therefore it is known as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. It here fore attracts naturalists and nature lovers from all over the world who come to watch birds, study trees and flowers or butterflies. Several species are endemic to the Usambara forests.
About Usambara Mountain
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