Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp - Hondo Hondo

Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp borders the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, in the Kilombero valley in southern Tanzania.

The lodge is known locally as Hondo Hondo meaning “hornbill” in Swahili, due to the amazing number of these remarkable birds which make the area their home.

Hondo Hondo’s lush green grounds are on the border of the pristine rainforest and offer excellent views of the forest canopy. The forest is home to a number of primate species, including the endemic Udzungwa Red Colobus, the remarkable Sanje Crested Mangebey, and the Black and White Colobus. A number of different hornbill species fly in over the forest edge and settle in trees along the borders of the rainforest in large numbers every evening at sunset, and the valley echoes with their distinctive calls.

Accommodation

Udzungwa Forest Tented Camps

Hondo Hondo provides a high standard of food/accommodation and great access to Tanzania’s remarkable wildlife and landscapes through co-operation with the local community and provision of excellent facilities. Built by a local workforce and providing employment throughout both the construction and operational phases, the ultimate goal is to increase international awareness of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, bringing in more visitors to appreciate the remarkable diversity of wildlife here and to contribute to the improvement of local community livelihoods.

We are proud of our excellent feedback low-impact, eco-friendly ethos and we continue to find ways to improve our services to our guests while using recognised best practice methods of keeping our footprint on the earth as low as possible. All water is heated with solar water heaters and we have solar panels so we are able to power all lights, fridges and other electrical equipment entirely through renewable sustainable energy sources.

En-suite Tented Rooms

Hondo Hondo Tented Camp offers six Forest en-suite tented rooms situated along or overlooking the forest boundary and providing a comfortable accommodation experience. With these rooms offering good facilities and great forest views and enjoying the relaxation of your stay in the surrounding shambaland and forest.
Each is well equipped, with all furniture made from locally available renewable sources such as coconut wood and bamboo.
All beds boast comfortable spring mattresses, so you can be sure of getting a good nights sleep, and the soft throws over the beds are made by the local Ifakara Women Weavers group, who are one of the lodge’s community support projects. The open-air bathrooms offer views up into the nearby forest canopy while you shower, and are equipped with western-style flush toilets, solar hot water “rain” showers, sink and shaver socket.

All our hot water is heated using solar energy alone. Electric lighting is provided through the camp with low-energy LED bulbs, and each tent is equipped with lighting, personal solar reading lights, a solar fan and a socket for charging phones and cameras.

These comfortable and well appointed canvas rooms make an excellent change from the usual range of places to stay, and as you fall asleep you can listen to the sound of elephants passing by in the night, or the tree hyraxes calling in the trees.

Traditional Bandas

Set up on a hill, bordering the forest of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Hondo Hondo offers five traditional thatched huts, providing a comfortable alternative to a camping tent. Homey and rustic, the huts are furnished with double and single beds and mosquito nets. This is a good budget accommodation option for those who are cash-conscious travelers and don’t have their own tent. Toilet and showers are communal and situated near the huts, with more available down the path in the campsite.

Camping at Hondo Hondo

The camping facilities at Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp’s Campsite are well maintained and provide for all the needs of the traveler/camper in Tanzania. The attractive campsite lies 300m away from the road with stunning views up across the Udzungwa Mountains forest canopy. Facilities include well-maintained showers with solar heated water, western-style toilets, access to the lodge bar and restaurant, simple self catering cooking area, a fire pit with comfortable natural seating for evening relaxation, and comfortable seating/dining area.

Activities

• Hiking

• At the Camp

• Local Activities

• Day trips

• Overnight Adventure / Flycamping