Udzungwa Forest Camp, also known as Hondo Hondo, is a small and rustic lodge in the Kilombero Valley adjacent to the Udzungwa Mountains National Park in Tanzania. With a combination of tents and traditional thatched huts, it is the ideal place to explore the Udzungwa Mountains.

All tents and huts are located in a natural clearing at the edge of the forest, where the Canopy Bar is located; a wonderful place to enjoy the view and to listen to the voices of nature in the evening. The Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp is located between the western boundary of the National Park and the village of Mang'ula. While this is a plus for cultural interaction, the music from the village and the noise of machinery used on the sugar and rubber plantations alleviates some of the magical sounds of the rainforest.

The six en-suite tents are decorated with local materials such as coconut wood and bamboo and feature a double bed with mosquito nets and a private bathroom. Each tent has solar powered lighting and a power outlet for charging phones and camera batteries. At the back of the tent is the open-air bathroom with flush toilets and a superb solar-heated rain shower that overlooks the nearby forest. The five thatched huts are much simpler with just a double bed and mosquito nets, a table and chair, solar lights and a power outlet.

Expert Tip: Hondo Hondo is a simple camp - do not expect luxury or special amenities. It is recommended to go with the en-suite tents, the cabins are only for adventurous travellers on a tight budget.