USAMBARA MOUNTAINS
Historically the Usambara Mountains have been inhabited by the Bantu, Shambaa, and Maasai people who were a mix of agriculturalists and pastoralists. Situated in the north-east of Tanzania, with their wide vistas, cool climate, winding paths and picturesque villages, the Usambaras are one of Tanzania’s highlights. The Usambaras are a part of the ancient Eastern Arc chain of mountains which stretch in a broken crescent from the Taita hills in southern Kenya down to Morogoro and the southern highlands.
They are estimated to be at least 100 million years old and the rocks forming them may be as much as 600 million years old. The mountains are home to an exceptional assortment of plants and animals, and represent one of the highest degrees of biodiversity on the continent.
Human habitation in this area goes back to at least 1, 5 million years. Traces of these settlements, which are unique in world history, were found near Mambo and can still be seen today.
Tripadvisor Reviews
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The next morning, we met Maila, and from that moment on, he made sure we were exceptionally well taken care of. During the five days we spent with him, we saw and learned so much. Maila was engaging, knowledgeable, and dedicated to making sure we had the best possible safari experience.
Thanks to his expertise and persistence, we witnessed incredible wildlife, including a cheetah immediately after a successful hunt, lion prides, elephants, leopards, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and so much more. His ability to spot animals and share insights about their behavior truly took our safari to the next level.
We highly recommend Long Way Expeditions to anyone planning a safari. And if you have the opportunity, be sure to ask for Maila as your guide. He is simply the best!![]()

Our guide Maila I can't express my gratitude to him. Also so professional! He is so kind. His expertise helped us to see the big 5! There were times we saw other guides going places they should not have just so their clients could see animals. Not Maila. He indicated we would see what we wanted at other places, and we did. And we saw so much more! From a lioness hunting, a cheetah with a fresh kill (with no other trucks around), to Momma elephants nursing their babies, and so so much more! He is so good at what he does, and so knowledgeable.
I HIGHLY recommend going with Longway Expeditions and requesting Maila! All the lodges were exceptional! You will not be disappointed!!![]()

There were so many additional little details which really showed the care and thoughtfulness that had been put into the package.
Our tour guide, Amir, was incredibly knowledgeable. He was passionate about giving us the best experience and that made such a difference to the atmosphere of trip, keeping us excited and engaged the whole time.
The value for money was very very good. All the accommodations we were booked into were very nice and the food provided was also delicious. Dietary requirements were catered to without an issue too.
I would recommend Longway expeditions to everyone.![]()

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We will never forget these magical few weeks. Having grown up myself in Kenya, I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many wonderful safari experiences in my life, but this was right up there, primarily because of the care, professionalism and dedication of the exceptional Long Way team.
Anne was brilliant in the planning and booking stages of our trip, and unfailingly patient and responsive to our numerous questions in the run up. It was so lovely to meet her at the beginning and the end.
Abu, our wonderful guide, was remarkably knowledgeable and insightful and his love and passion for Tanzania’s incredible wildlife and landscapes was both charming and completely infectious. Abu was also incredibly warm and kind and went out of his way to ensure we were always comfortable and had what we needed. He became a true friend and we were all very sad to leave him at the end of the trip!
Thank you so much again Anne and Abu. We will be back to explore more of Tanzania one day with you and will not hesitate to recommend you to all of our friends.![]()

I was absolutely blown away by the diversity of the landscapes, the incredible wildlife, and the warmth of the people. My driver-guide, Amir, was very experienced, flexible with plans, and gave me the best possible wildlife-viewing experience. I was amazed by his knowledge and his ability to spot interesting animals from a distance.
I especially appreciated how mindful he was about giving the animals enough space and making sure we never got too close, as this was something I had been particularly concerned about.
Every worry I had before the trip completely disappeared once I was there. Even though I didn't get to see all of the Big 5, I loved every minute of the safari and the trip was so special to me. To any solo female travellers who are nervous about travelling alone, I can honestly say you won’t regret it. I can’t wait to return to Tanzania and plan more trips with Longway Expeditions!

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As a small local agency, they offered us a genuinely authentic experience and gave us the opportunity to explore Tanzania beyond the usual tourist routes. It was incredible. Ana and Abu’s kindness, professionalism, and dedication allowed us to enjoy an unforgettable human experience, far beyond what we expected from a trip to such a beautiful country.
The landscapes are breathtaking, seeing wild animals in their natural habitat was absolutely amazing, and the warmth and kindness of the Tanzanian people truly touched our hearts.
Ana and Abu made sure our journey was unforgettable, from carefully selecting each hotel luxurious, comfortable, and unique to creating a perfectly organized itinerary. My father was celebrating his 60th birthday in Tanzania, and Ana and Abu even arranged a surprise for him, which was such a thoughtful and touching gesture.
Everything was perfect.
If you’re looking for a meaningful trip in a stunning country filled with warm and welcoming people, and if you want to discover Tanzania off the beaten path, away from the crowds, don’t hesitate for a second, choose Long Way Expeditions. They are simply the best!
I’d also like to mention that Ana and Abu run a charity that supports young Maasai girls. It’s a wonderful cause led by two truly wonderful people. We will go back for sure, Asante sana for everything. Highly recommended!

The experience... Read more there was a once in a lifetime, i have never seen so many big cats and my guide was full of knowledge.
I cannot recommend enough to try Lon Way Expeditions, it was such a find!
And Tanzania was fantastic!![]()

Upon arriving to Tanzania, we were greeted at the airport by Amil, our tour guide for the duration of the safari. We really enjoyed Amil's enthusiasm, guidance, and knowledge sharing throughout the trip. We also met Ann on the first day to brief us on the itinerary and again at the end where we had lunch with her and her co-owner/husband Abu to debrief the trip. I thought this was a lovely way to end the trip and also ensure they take in feedback.
The actual safari was a once in a lifetime experience. Definitely be prepared for long days in the truck and we also highly recommend to bring a camera beyond your phone camera to capture amazing pictures. We saw the Big 5 and a multitude of other animals across three different parks. We also enjoyed seeing the local villages during our drive. We did decide to stop at a Masai village but would probably skip that as these roadside ones are known for high entrance fees and forced souvenir sales which we experienced. We'd also warn the large souvenir markets near the parks are extremely overpriced and it is worth waiting until you get to Arusha.
The standard of the accommodations we stayed in were great. From glamping in the Serengeti to lodges in Arusha, each place was beautiful, had great service, and delicious food. Overall we loved Tanzania and would travel with Long Way Expeditions again!![]()

Abu was extremely knowledgeable, patient and caring. The drives are long but we filled them with lots of chatter and banter, with him only interrupting to point out things of interest on the road. He has convinced me to return and see more of their amazing country. Ann and Abu have exceeded my expectations. See you in a few months! 🙂
You should always book where you feel in good hands. And that’s guaranteed to be the case at Long Way Expeditions as we are a fully registered company with 5-star TripAdvisor reviews from 100% of previous guests.
As a family-owned small business that prioritises slow travel and personal connections, we’re so proud to say all our guests go home satisfied.























