This is the Southern Highlands chapter from Lonely Planet’s Tanzania guidebook.

Tanzania’s Southern Highlands are a major transit route for travellers to Malawi or Zambia, and are an important agricultural area. They are also wonderfully scenic and a delight to explore, with rolling hills, lively markets, jacaranda-lined streets, lovely lodges and plenty of wildlife. Hike in the Udzungwa Mountains, watch wildlife in Mikumi or Ruaha National Parks. Get to know the matrilineal Luguru people in the Uluguru Mountains. Or, head well off the beaten track to the heart of the Southern Highlands in Tanzania’s southwesternmost corner. Here, wild orchids carpet sections of Kitulo park and verdant mountains cascade down to the tranquil shores of Lake Nyasa.

• Sit by the river in Ruaha National Park, watching the elephants amid the baobabs and taking in the magnificence of the wild
• maps
• Watch prowling lions, snorting wildebeest and grazing buffaloes in Mikumi National Park
• transport
• Get away from it all on the tranquil shores of Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Morogoro, Mikumi National Park, Mikumi Town, Udzungwa Mountains, Udzungwa Mountains, Iringa, Around Iringa, Isimila Stone Age, Kalenga, Ruaha National Park, Makambako, Njombe, Kitulo National Park, Mbeya, Chunya, Tukuyu, Lake Nyasa, Kyela, Itungi, Matema, Ikombe, Liuili, Mbamba Bay, Mbinga, Songea and Tunduru