Mambo, Tanga Region

View over the Mkomazi valley.

We had a four day weekend and decided to attempt to visit one of the forest reserves in the West Usambara mountains. We have visited six other forest reserves in the chain of mountains called the Eastern Arc mountains, which are unique for their biodiversity and tropical/montane rainforest climate. We first, however, had to get to our starting point, which was camping in a place called Mambo.

We headed about three hours south on the main highway. We made a turn off on a dirt road towards a national park, Mkomazi. Mkomazi National Park has a section that is  valley between the South Pare and West Usambara Mountains. We headed into this valley and then started to climb a steep "shortcut" up the mountain.

The drive through the acacia habitat in the valley was impressive for its vastness and thickness of acacia trees. We seemed to be in the middle of nowhere and didn't even see a group of cows or goats. When we reached the mountain side we immediately enjoyed amazing vistas and views of the South Pares and the valley below as we climbed the south western side.

After reaching the top we wove our way through the Usambaras until we reached Mambo, on the north end of the mountains. The views were equally stunning over the valley. We have enjoyed these vistas from several spots along the Pares and Usambaras, but here it was among the best! We were up to 1900m (6,200 ft). There was a nice hike down to a rocky overhang and we enjoyed the sunset as the clouds and cold moved in! 

Down in the Mkomazi valley.

Flash flood river bed with some sun in the background.

Awesome to drive through a cloud!

Great vista.

A good place to sit and think.