The Nguu mountains mark the northernmost extent of the Eastern miombo woodlands. Drier Northern Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and thickets lie to the north and west. The mountains support enclaves of forest, mostly between 1000 and 1550 meters elevation. The forests vary in species composition with elevation and the direction of the slope. Pockets of lowland forest are found below 1000 meters elevation in the eastern portion of the mountains, although many have been cleared for cultivation. They have a flora similar to the humid Zanzibar-Inhambane coastal forests further east, with Milicia excelsa and Khaya anthotheca as dominant trees.