Altitude: 1200 m.a.m.s.l.
A security checkpoint that is located about an hour's drive from the north western border of
Udzungwa mountains national park. It currently sits at the end of the driving route, and the start of the hiking trail into the mountains.
What to do there?Check in with the ranger - for safety and security purposes or get information for your stay in the park. This could also be where you get a ranger to accompany you for the hike, though its best to first ask for one at
Msosa ranger post.
For a list of other attractions in the area, please see the
attractions page.
Best time to visit?Any time of the year not in the rainy season of march to June.
Location of Mbatwa ranger postMbatwa ranger post is located about a 5 minute walk uphill from
Mbatwa ruins, near the north western border of Udzungwa mountains national park. It also is the start of the trail to Ngung'umbi swamp with accommodation in the area being campsites.
For more information on this location, please see the map below.
How to get there?By air, train, bus or private vehicle, with the first using the nearest Nduli airport in Iringa, then hired transport to the ranger post.
There is a TAZARA train that passes through Mangula in the park's south east and Iringa, about once a week. The same train also goes through the northern parts of Selous game reserve - a more scenic option. The only caveat is the need for hired transport to the park.
The easiest way would be a private or rental car, though you may need to pay for park fees. Alternatively, there are large passenger buses that ply the highway north of the park, with the nearest stop to the area being at Aljazeera restaurant or Mtandika village.
For more information on park fees and tarrifs, please see the
TANAPA website.
ReferencesTAZARA - TAZARA - Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (Dar to Kapiri Mposhi Zambia).
