Usambara Mountains

The Usambara Mountains are a biodiverse mountain chain in northeastern Tanzania, part of the Eastern Arc Mountains and divided into East and West subranges. They are renowned for their endemic plants, cloud forests and scenic highland landscapes.

Hikers and naturalists follow marked trails through montane forest, visit small mountain towns such as Lushoto and see tea and coffee plantations on the slopes. Elevations rise to roughly 2,000-2,300 meters in places, producing cooler, wetter conditions than the surrounding lowlands and supporting cloud forest habitats.

Geologically ancient, the Usambaras form part of the long-lived Eastern Arc system; human settlement and agriculture on the slopes have a long history and were intensified during the colonial and postcolonial periods. Conservation initiatives in recent decades have focused on protecting remaining forest fragments and endemic species.

The ranges lie in Tanzania’s Tanga Region, inland from the Indian Ocean and centred near the town of Lushoto, with access from the coastal city of Tanga and regional roads.

• Biodiversity importance: Part of the ancient Eastern Arc Mountains, the ranges contain high levels of endemic flora and fauna and are a conservation priority for biodiversity.

What to See #

• East Usambara: East Usambara subrange around Lushoto, noted for montane and cloud forest tracts, higher rainfall and a network of hiking trails and small villages.
• West Usambara: West Usambara subrange featuring more deeply incised valleys, terraced agriculture and lower-elevation forest patches important for local water catchments.