The ecoregion comprises several separate areas above 2000 meters in the mountains of South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Temperatures can fall below 10 °C (50 °F) in the coldest months (July and August) and rise above 30 °C (86 °F) in the warm season.

The climate is more humid than the surrounding lowlands, and with less distinct wet and dry seasons.

[3] Characteristic plant communities include:[4] There are eight endemic or restricted-range bird species in the ecoregion.

[1] Limited-range mammals native to the montane forests include Jackson's mongoose (Bdeogale jacksoni), Abbott's duiker (Cephalophus spadix), Zanj sun squirrel (Heliosciurus undulatus), and eastern tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax validus).