The Usambara Mountains

On Sept. 2nd, we left Moshi and headed off to the Usambara Mountains. When you drive the highway from Arusha to Dar es Salaam, you skirt along these very intruiging, magical mountains for miles. When I was here before and drove this route, I remember just staring at them for hours and thinking how neat it would be to explore them. So this time, Rob and I did our homework and found out how to access the mountains. Rob and I were both very excited to explore the Usambara region because it is known for its bird, flora, and butterfly diversity. The very common house plant, the African Violet, comes from the Usambara Mountains! Here's a link to more info- http://www.easternarc.org

We first went to Lushoto, which is the launching point for the West Usambaras. We spent two full days exploring, including a trek to Irente View Point, through the Magambe tropical forest, and up to the village of Mtae. We met up with a really, really, nice Austrian couple, Rosie and Wolfgang, and spent a whole day hiking with them.

Next, we went to the East Usambaras and Amani Nature Preserve. We celebrated our 4th anniversary hiking in the very pristine tropical rainforests of Amani. What a wonderful place! Amani Nature Preserve was first designated an agricultural research station by the Germans in 1907. Most of the forests remained untouched through the years and it was designated a nature preserve in 1997, so it has really been kept in its natural state. A big source of income and economic stability for the farmers in and around the preserve in the Amani Butterfly project. We saw so many different birds and butterflies, but I think what impressed us the most were the HUGE ferns and vines. They were seriously out of this world!