The new addition to the sengi family was first spotted in 2005 when Francesco Rovero of the Trento Museum of Natural Sciences in Italy set up motion-sensing cameras in the forests of Tanzania's Eastern Arc Mountains. A photograph appeared of a creature with a long snout that no one could identify. It was only a year later that a team expedition laid traps to catch live specimens of the creature they suspected was a new species. The traps they brought along were not really big enough for this giant among elephant shrews, so the team had to rely on the traditional hunting snares instead.
They finally managed to capture 4 of the animals and could confirm that this was indeed a new species of elephant shrew. The elephant-shrews are mammals of an order called Macroscelidea; from the Greek meaning "long legs". Though they have some resemblance, they are actually not related to the shrew – a small mouse-like animal found in many parts of the world. Scientists now prefer using the African name "sengi" to prevent confusion with shrews.
Sengi forms their own order of mammal and get their common name from their long elephant-like snout which they use to flick up tasty insects. Curiously, genetics has shown that sengi shares a common ancestor (estimated to have lived about 100 million years ago) with golden moles, the aardvark, manatees, dugongs, hyraxes... and their namesake elephants!
Rhynchocyon udzungwensis, or grey-faced sengi, is the first new species of sengi to be discovered in more than a century. It is much larger than the other species, weighing in at 700g and measuring about 30cm in length. It has a distinctive grey colouring on its face and a black lower rump.
There is a lot of pressure on the forests from surrounding villages and the sengi is known to be on the menu of local tribespeople. The creature will probably join the endangered species list but is probably saved from extinction by its remote location in the heart of the mountain forests.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park
This exciting new species discovery was made in the remote Udzungwa Mountains National Park, a 1990 km2 area in south-central Tanzania. Lohomero, its highest peak lies at 2,576 metres above sea level.
The name Udzungwa probably originates from a distortion of the name of one of the tribes living on the slopes of the Mountains, "wadsungwa".
These mountains form part of the Eastern Arc, a mountain chain of isolated mountains running through Tanzania and southern Kenya. They are covered in spectacular forests which receive a lot of rain from the prevailing east wind carrying humid air from the Indian Ocean. The eastern arc is a "World Biodiversity Hotspot" which excites scientists with a large number of plant and animal species endemic to this part of the world.
The surrounding lands have been deforested by the pressure and needs of the people living in inland Tanzania. And so, the mountain forests have become islands in-between the arid heavily populated savannah land. These forest islands are home to over 30% of Tanzania's plant and animal species. The much loved African violet, which graces homes all around the world, originates in these forests.
The region harbours at least 100 species of mammals, birds, amphibians, and other vertebrates found nowhere else on earth, making it one of the densest concentrations of endemic species.
And ... the grey-faced sengi is the latest addition to the list of creatures known to call Udzungwa home.
Matemwe Lodge
Matemwe Lodge, Zanzibar, offers accommodation consisting of 12 beautiful bungalows built from local materials and surrounded by a beautiful beach.
Each lodge suite has a private veranda with hammocks and couches overlooking the Matemwe beach and Indian Ocean.
Kirawira Serena Camp
Kirawira Serena Camp, standing high on the bluff of a bush-cloaked ridge, commanding panoramic views over the endlessly rolling reaches and volcanic reefs of the National Park, is the epitome of colonially-styled safari luxury.
Serengeti National Park and the wildebeest migration are a must view from Kirawira camp.
Singita Sasakwa Lodge
Singita Sasakwa Lodge is situated on top of Sasakwa Hill with panoramic views of the vast Plains below; this Serengeti National Park lodge is built in the style of an East African ranch house.
If it's solitude you seek, then Grumeti Reserves is the place to be, game drive safaris near the Grumeti River are fantastic year round.
Serengeti Simba Lodge
Serengeti Simba Lodge offers up views out over the surrounding plains and wildlife from almost every vantage point and room. An excellent option for budget-oriented travellers.
A comfortable and rustic option in a magnificent location with outstanding Serengeti wildlife and birdlife sightings year-round.
Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp
Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp is located in the prime Ngorongoro Conservation Area that offers guests quick access to the famed wildlife on the crater floor.
A small romantic tented camp offers up ten stunning tented suites.
Siwandu Camp
Siwandu Camp in the Selous Game Reserve is spread along the lake shore, and is designed to blend in with the spectacular natural Selous scenery in what is one of the most photogenic areas, each of the nine safari tents sits atop its own raised timber platform.
Perfectly positioned close to the Rufiji River system for spectacular wildlife and game drive options when on safari in the Selous.
Dunia Camp
Dunia Camp with 8 spacious tented suites, each with expansive views of the pristine wilderness and game-filled plains from a large private veranda. An exceptional safari experience awaits all that visit.
Exceptional game-viewing surrounds the camp in the central Serengeti with the chance to explore the Seronera, the Moru Kopjes and the plains teeming with wildlife.
Arusha Serena Hotel
Arusha Serena Hotel is surrounded by coffee plantations and rolling hills, on the shores of Lake Duluti, near to Arusha, the gateway town of Tanzania's spectacular national parks.
The perfect hotel in Arusha to relax before or after your Tanzania or East Africa Safari.