Output file - Home

Disclaimer 

Undertaking in-depth field work to develop a national directory of this nature is an enormous and ongoing task. 

This document should therefore be seen as a ‘first inventory’. The information contained in this initial work has been gleaned 

from regional socio-economic profiles, interviews with District Natural Resource Officers and various other government employees 

stationed throughout this vast and magnificent country, as well as from various reports and other reference material obtained during 

the course of the past year. The data may thus contain some inaccuracies, but through a process of ongoing revision and further investigation 

will become increasingly accurate and refined. Mawalla Trust and the PAMS Foundation look forward to building on this baseline work to further bridge 

the dearth of existing information on the wildlife and associated biological natural resources and land potential of Tanzania. 

We intend making it available to all interested and affected parties in the interest of better education, conservation and truly sustainable development. 

A MAWALLA TRUST PROJECT 

Conceived and directed by: 

Nyaga Mawalla 

Compiled by: 

Krissie Clark and Wayne Lotter of the PAMS Foundation 

Photographs by: 

Krissie Clark 

Layout by: 

Birgit Hendry 

Acknowledgements: 

The authors would like to thank Arboghast Tarimo, Bryson Maro and Omary Salum of Mawalla Trust for the time and effort 

they spent during much of the past year to conduct the countrywide survey that was required to gather information for this directory. 

We are also grateful to Clive Lotter for his expert comments on the document. 

For further information email: corporate@mawalla.co.tz or reena@mawalla.co.tz 

1

Directory of Natural Resources and Land in Tanzania 2011 

Statutory Declaration 

We, Nyaga Paul Mawalla and Lemmy Bartholomew, of Mawalla Trust, Mawalla Law Offices, Mawalla Heritage Park, Plot No 175 / 20, P.O. Box 6101, 

Arusha and Kristine Clark and Wayne Derek Lotter of the PAMS Foundation, Magnolia House, Mawalla Heritage Park, Plot No 175 / 20, Arusha, P.O. Box 

16556, Arusha; do solemnly and sincerely declare as follows; 

The work contained in this directory titled Natural Resources and Land Directory, comprising of text, photographs and land use maps, is authored by us. 

We have not infringed any copyright during the authorship of this directory. 

We make this declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act. 

Nyaga Paul Mawalla 

Kristine Clark 

Date: 6 June 2011 


Signature: ___________________________ 

Signature: ___________________________ 

Wayne Derek Lotter 

Lemmy Bartholomew 



Signature: ___________________________ 

Signature: ___________________________ 

This…………………………..day of ……….…..…………………………2012 

Before me……………………..............................................………………… 

Dated at……….....……….this……………………..day of ……………..2012 

2


Table of Contents 

Introduction 4 

Overview of Tanzania 6 

Arusha Region 9 

Dar es Salaam Region 14 

Dodoma Region 17 

Iringa Region 20 

Kagera Region 24 

Kigoma Region 27 

Kilimanjaro Region 31 

Lindi Region 35 

Manyara Region 38 

Mara Region 41 

Mbeya Region 44 

Morogoro Region 48 

Mtwara Region 54 

Mwanza Region 57 

Pwani Region (coast) 60 

Rukwa Region 64 

Ruvuma Region 67 

Shinyanga Region 70 

Singida Region 73 

Tabora Region 76 

Tanga Region 79 

Zanzibar & Pemba Regions 84 

Reference List 88 

4

Introduction 

Tanzania is a country of extraordinary beauty and diversity that is 

exceptionally well endowed with natural resources of international 

significance. A wide array of ecosystems are present, from savannas, 

forests, rivers, lakes and wetlands to a tropical coastline, which collectively 

support a remarkable diversity and abundance of wildlife. Tanzania’s natural 

resources play a huge role in contributing to the economy in terms of social 

and economic goods and services, which these provide. Unfortunately, 

due to factors such as increasing human population numbers, poverty 

and infrastructure development, many of Tanzania’s natural resources and 

magnificent wonders are rapidly degrading and becoming isolated through 

anthropogenic and biological threats. 

The lives of Tanzanians depend heavily on natural resources for sustaining 

both its present and future generations. 

Threats to sustainability and judicious development include timber and 

wildlife poaching, unprecedented rates of slash and burn agriculture, 

increasing settlements, a growing mining industry and charcoal production, 

which leads to mass deforestation (the third highest deforestation rate in 

Africa). Wildlife habitats and conservation areas are being destroyed by rapid 

agricultural expansion associated with a growing human population and 

their concomitant settlement in previously unpopulated areas, unplanned 

land use strategies, unmanaged natural resource extraction and increased 

“bush meat trade”. The building of roads also impacts on corridors, thereby 

isolating Tanzania’s protected areas and disrupting the functioning of 

ecosystems. Unless action is taken to manage these activities in a way that 

considers human and wildlife needs, human-wildlife conflict will increase 

and Tanzania’s current suite of protected areas will become ecologically 

isolated islands, leading to the inevitable decline of animal and plant 

populations. This will have serious economic and environmental implications 

for the next generation of Tanzanians. The presence of wildlife in so much 

of Tanzania’s landscape outside of the formally protected areas, as well as 

the functioning ecological corridors which connect many of these areas, 

sets Tanzania apart from almost anywhere else. Corridors and connectivity 

between protected areas is nowadays recognised internationally as being 

vitally important for long term biodiversity conservation in the face of global 

climate change. This unique and favourable situation needs to be protected, 

preserved and capitalised on. For this to be achieved, it first needs to be 

publicised and widely recognised. 

The Government of Tanzania recognises that its people depend increasingly 

on protected natural areas for the ecosystem services it provides, such 

as clean and abundant water, hydroelectricity, revenue from tourism, and 

traditional and future medical products. 

Unfortunately, the opportunities for establishing, maintaining or sustainably 

managing new conservation / protected areas as a viable land use option, 

are rapidly diminishing. This endangers Tanzania’s future in terms of the 

sustainable benefits that these areas do and can potentially provide - if 

protected and managed optimally. Mawalla Trust and the PAMS Foundation 

believe that by addressing the situation proactively and positively, the 

dismal outcome based on current trends can be turned around to accelerate 

Tanzania’s economic development and the sustainability of its tourist 

industry. 

Apart from Tanzania’s well-known existing conservation areas, there is a 

lack of available information on the state of natural resources and the land 

on which these exist outside of the formally protected conservation areas. 

Thus, in order to help conserve Tanzania’s natural resources and allow for 

its utilisation in a sustainable and exemplary manner, it is vital that good 

baseline information is available and regularly updated. This data will guide 

conservation efforts to protect important ecological areas and wildlife 

corridors that lie outside of existing formally protected areas, while also 

5


Introduction 

identifying areas suitable for conservation-compatible activities such as 

nature-based tourism and wildlife ranching. Tanzania will be enabled to add 

economic value to the natural resources and conserve these for our longterm 

future. 

Mawalla Trust, in association with the PAMS Foundation, has launched a 

countrywide assessment of Tanzania’s landscapes and its natural resources. 

This directory represents the first fruits of Tanzania’s first national natural 

resources and land survey, as conducted during 2010. The data assembled 

in this book will be updated from time to time as the assessment progresses 

and as more details of the natural resource attributes and potential of all 

parts of Tanzania are uncovered. 

The aim of the overall project is to identify large and intact areas of medium 

and high biodiversity value outside formally protected conservation areas, 

where critical natural processes can be protected for the long term. 

The result of this first phase is the compilation and publicly accessible 

representation of the summarised current knowledge on the distribution 

and extent of Tanzania’s natural resource base inside and outside unfenced 

National Parks, Game Reserves, Forest Reserves, Nature Reserves and the 

Ngorongoro Conservation Area. 

This directory presents the most up-to-date available information on our 

natural resources in a manner that we hope will be of value to all parties 

interested in Tanzania, its wildlife and our many yet unspoilt places. The 

project will be further enhanced in terms of its global value and meaning 

through the inclusion of additional technical expertise available from some of 

the world’s leading international conservation organisations who are deeply 

interested in helping preserve Tanzania’s natural resources for the benefit of 

its entire population. Going forward, this initiative will thus also ensure that 

it provides additional information needed by these organisations to refine 

and better guide their own conservation efforts and strategies. 

6

Overview of Tanzania 

Geography 

Tanzania covers an area of 

about 945,000 km 2 of which 

approximately 888,600 km 2 are 

actual land surface area. The 

landscape of mainland Tanzania 

is generally flat and low along 

the coast, but a plateau with an 

average altitude of about 1,200 m 

constitutes the greater part of 

the country. Isolated mountain 

groups rise in the north-east 

and south-west. The volcanic 

Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), the highest 

mountain in Africa, is located 

near the north-eastern border. 

The three great lakes of Africa lie 

on the border of the country and 

partially within it. Lake Tanganyika 

is located in the west, Lake 

Victoria in the north-west, and 

Lake Nyasa in the south-west. 

Lakes Nyasa and Tanganyika 

are located in the Great Rift 

Valley, a tremendous geological 

fault system extending from the 

Middle East to Mozambique. 

7


Tanzania 

Climate 

Tanzania has a tropical climate. In the highlands, temperatures range 

between 10º C and 20º C during cold and hot seasons respectively. The 

rest of the country has temperatures never falling lower than 20º C. The 

hottest period spreads between November and February (25º C - 31º C) 

while the coldest period occurs between May and August (15º C - 20º C). 

Two rainfall regimes exist over Tanzania. One is referred to as unimodal, 

which has a wet season between the months of November and May. The 

other is bimodal, with two rainy spells. The first of these ‘short rains’ is from 

October to December and the second from March until May, with two dry 

months in between. The former is experienced in southern, south-west, 

central and western parts of the country, and the latter is found to the north 

and at the northern coast. Annual rainfall in Tanzania ranges from 400 mm 

per annum, mainly in the central parts of the country, to 2,300 mm in the 

highlands and Western parts of Lake Victoria. 

Vegetation 

The East African plateau - in fact most of Tanzania - is covered by open grassland, 

woodland, and savanna (sparsely vegetated grassland). The enormous Serengeti 

plains are an archetype of this kind of habitat, dotted with Acacia trees; generally 

short and thorny with sparse foliage. True forest (with interlocking canopy) makes 

up less than 1 % of Tanzania’s surface, but these forests contain more than 

2,000 plant species and are therefore the most diverse of the country’s habitats. 

Most of Tanzania’s true forest is montane, located on the Eastern Arc mountains, 

which form an unbroken range between 50 and 200 km inland. A belt of miombo 

woodland, which typically grows on infertile soil, stretches from southern and 

western Tanzania to Zimbabwe. It is characterised by Brachystegia species, 

Acacia species and a plethora of Baobabs. Mangrove swamps are also to be 

found on Tanzania’s coast and, rather surprisingly, alpine moors exist on the 

slopes of Mounts Kilimanjaro and Meru. 

Wildlife 

Tanzania has an extremely rich and diverse spectrum of fauna and flora, 

including a wide variety of endemic species and sub-species. It has the 

most substantial large mammal populations left in any country on earth. 

Tanzania has the largest populations of lion and buffalo. Its population of 

elephants rivals Botswana’s as the continent’s largest. The wildlife herds of 

the Serengeti ecosystem exceed two million zebra, wildebeest, gazelle and 

other antelope, and represent perhaps the greatest concentration of wildlife 

left on the planet. 

The biological diversity and degree of endemism consists of 20 species 

of primates (of which 4 are endemic), 34 antelope species (including 2 

endemic) unrivalled fish diversity (with many endemics in Lakes Victoria, 

Tanganyika and Nyasa and other small lakes and rivers), 290 reptiles (with 

as many as 75 endemic), 180 amphibians (55 endemic), an unquantified 

number of invertebrates and around 11,000 known plant species (including 

many endemics). Besides the amazing variety of unique wildlife species 

to be found, Tanzania possesses important populations of a number of 

species that are widespread across Africa, but threatened. 

In terms of its habitats, the various grasslands and open woodlands of the 

Serengeti and Masai Steppe in the north-west and north-east of Tanzania 

support some of the greatest concentrations of large mammals in the world. 

Tanzania is one of the world’s top twenty most bio-diverse countries 

and contains one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world: the Eastern 

Arc Mountains. Tanzania is a country which has an extraordinarily high 

proportion of its land under protection (approximately 30 %). Tanzania’s 

protected areas network consists of World Heritage Sites, National Parks, 

Game Reserves, Conservation Areas, various categories of Forest Reserves, 

and Game Controlled Areas. Many of these, and other areas which are not 

formally protected, have also been identified by international ornithologists 

as Important Bird Areas. 

8

Additionally, significant numbers of wildlife still live in many unsettled 

areas popularly known as “open areas” as well as in village lands. Some of 

these areas include very important migratory routes, wildlife corridors and 

dispersal areas. 

Tanzania’s wildlife populations are greater than in any other country in the 

world and are valued by the tourist industry. Wildlife is therefore a source 

of competitive economic advantage to the nation as Tanzania has natural 

characteristics, which make it better than other countries at ‘producing’ 

wildlife, and selling it to the world through photographic tourism or tourist 

hunting. While it has other valuable sources of revenue and trade, such as 

cashews, coffee and flowers, other countries around the world can easily 

compete with Tanzania in terms of trading these products. 

Threats 

The key threats to natural areas and their associated wildlife include: 

subsistence and commercial poaching, encroachment for settlement, 

grazing and cultivation, blockage of migratory routes and corridors, mining, 

illegal and harmful methods (e.g. dynamiting coral reefs), unscientific 

culling or cropping quotas, soil erosion, destructive wild fires, dominance 

of unpalatable plant species including introduced species, drying up water 

resources in protected areas, siltation, highways for fast moving traffic 

passing through protected areas, and off-road driving. 

9


Arusha Region 

Arusha Region 

Districts 

Arumeru, Arusha, Karatu, 

Monduli, Ngorongoro 

Capital 

Arusha 

Land area 

36 486 km 2 

Population (2002) 

1,288,088 

Population growth rate 

(1988 - 2002) 

4 % 

10

Physical characteristics 

Arusha Region is located in the north-eastern corner of Tanzania. The 

region has a pleasant, moderate climate. The average annual temperature 

is 21º C in the highlands and 24º C in the lowlands. The southern districts 

normally enjoy monomodal rainfall while the northern district’s gets bimodal 

rainfall. The rainfall in the south ranges from 800 - 1,000 mm and in the north 

it ranges between 1,000 and 1,200 mm. 

Arusha Region may be separated into two distinguishable parts. The 

highlands which include mountains such as Mt. Meru, Hanang and 

Oldeani and the lowland plains which are characterised by plains and 

scattered hills covered with bush and grasslands. From East to West the 

topography changes immensely. East of the rift valleywall the landscape 

gently undulates with occasional extinct volcanoes. Most of the rift wall 

comprises hills, including the massif of the Ngorongoro crater highlands, 

the Gol Mountains and Loliondo hills. The areas to the west of the rift valley 

have areas of extensive inselbergs and predominant scarps as well as low, 

flat lands around soda lakes. 

Soils have been classified by colour i.e. grey, grey / brown, brown and red / 

brown. The extensive areas of grey soils, which have originated from recent 

volcanic ash, are found to the north-western parts of the region, west of 

the rift and in the Ngorongoro massif. Brown soils cover large areas in 

the central part of the region and west of Arusha municipality. The southeastern 

areas are characterized by grey / brown and red / brown soils. 

Arusha Region has three major drainage systems. The eastern and central 

parts and the southern part of the region drain into the Indian Ocean. The 

north-western bit drains to the Mediterranean Sea through Lake Victoria 

and the Nile River. The remaining northern, west-central and mid southern 

areas make up a vast internal drainage system. The rivers in this area drain 

into Lakes Eyasi, Manyara and Natron. 

Economic activities 

The main economic activity of Arusha Region is agriculture. Both commercial 

and peasantry farming are carried out in the region. Commercial farming is 

for seed beans and wheat, coffee and flowers. Maize and food beans are 

also grown widely in the region. Tourism and livestock are other important 

economic activities. Industries and mining sectors are minor economic 

contributors to the region. 

Wildlife and related resources 

The Arusha Region has been broadly classified as having four vegetation 

zones. Namely, woodland bushlands, wooded grasslands, bushed 

grasslands and open grasslands. The lowlands are characterized by grassy 

plains and scattered hills covered with savanna-like bushlands. The mountain 

areas are covered with forests and are a source of rivers and streams. 

11


Arusha Region 

cormorant, palm-nut vulture and Ayres’ hawk-eagle. 

Ngorongoro Conservation Area supports grassland, lakes, swamp, 

woodland, heath and dense mountain forest. Ngorongoro Crater in particular 

supports an unrivalled high density of wildlife, with wildlife numbers ranging 

from 20,000 to 25,000. Wildebeest and zebra are the most numerous. Other 

species include gazelle, kongoni, black rhinoceros, lion, spotted hyena, 

hippopotamus, buffalo and elephant. A total of 560 bird species have 

been recorded in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including the vulnerable 

lesser kestrel, Taita falcon, grey-crested helmet shrike, karamoja apalis, and 

the near-threatened lesser flamingo, pallid harrier, great snipe, Fischer’s 

lovebird, red-throated tit and Jackson’s widowbird. 

These protected areas are all open systems with no fences, and thus much 

wildlife still migrates in and out of them in search of water and to get to 

areas with recent rains and associated new vegetation growth. 

Arusha Region supports an array of wildlife that is located in formally 

protected areas such as Arusha National Park, Manyara National Park, 

Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (a World 

Heritage Site). 

Arusha National Park has dense forests, swamps, grasslands, lakes and 

alpine highlands. Species commonly seen there include giraffe, buffalo, 

elephant, zebra, dik-dik, hippopotamus, waterbuck, warthog, leopard, 

spotted hyena, red duiker, baboon, Syke’s monkey, and black and white 

colobus. A total of 411 bird species have been recorded. These include the 

vulnerable Abott’s starling, and the near-threatened Madagascar squacco 

heron, lesser flamingo, Fischer’s lovebird and red-throated tit. 

Manyara National Park consists of forest, grassland and lake area. Typical 

species found in the park are elephant, buffalo, lion, hippopotamus, impala, 

giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, bushbuck, leopard, baboon, lesser flamingo, 

greater flamingo, white pelican, yellow-billed stork, white-breasted 

12

Areas of conservation importance 

Natural World Heritage Site Ngorongoro Conservation Area 

National Parks 

Arusha, Manyara 

Conservation Area Authority Ngorongoro 

Wildlife Management Areas Enduimet, Loliondo, Natron North, 

Natron South 

Game Controlled Areas Longido, Simanjiro 

Wildlife migration corridors Kilimanjaro-Amboseli (Kitendeni), 

Manyara-Ngorongoro (Upper Kitete / Selela), 

Manyara Ranch-Lake Natron, 

Tarangire-Simanjiro Plains, Tarangire-Makuyuni 

Important Bird Areas Arusha National Park, Eluanate Dam, 

Lake Burunge, Lake Eyasi, 

Lake Manyara National Park, 

Lake Natron and Engaruka Basin, Lake Tlawi, 

Longido Game Controlled Area, 

Masai Steppe, Ngorongoro Conservation 

Area, Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir, 

Yaida Chini 

National Forest Reserves Burko, Essimingor, Gelai, Itira, Kibwezi, 

Kitumbein, Kiutu, Lake Duluti, Loliondo, 

Longido, Maasi, Marang, Meru, Monduli, 

Ngarusambu, Northern Highlands, Sakila, 

Sambasha 

provides important calving areas for zebra, wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles 

and Grant’s gazelle. 

Manyara-Ngorongoro (Upper Kitete / Selela) wildlife corridor connects 

Manyara Ranch to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and is used by elephants 

and buffalo. 

Manyara Ranch-Lake Natron wildlife corridor starts at the northern end of 

Tarangire National Park, through Manyara Ranch to Lake Natron. Wildebeest, 

zebra, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and eland make use of this corridor. 

Tarangire-Simanjiro Plains wildlife corridor connects Tarangire National Park 

with Simanjiro Game Controlled Area, near Emboreet, Sukuro and Terrat 

villages. Zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest and oryx make use of this corridor. 

Tarangire-Makuyuni (Makuyuni) wildlife corridor links Tarangire National 

Park with an elephant dispersal area in Makuyuni village land. The corridor 

is only 15 km long and is dominated by Acacia woodland and dense thicket. 

Approximately 800 elephants move along this corridor. 

Conservation priorities 

Kilimanjaro-Amboseli (Kitendeni) wildlife corridor lies to the west of Mount 

Kilimanjaro, and serves as an important wildlife link between Amboseli 

National Park in Kenya, Lake Natron and Kilimanjaro National Park in 

Tanzania. As many as 600 elephants use this area in the dry season and 

13


Arusha Region 

species and forms part of the Kilimanjaro-Amboseli wildlife corridor. 

Masai Steppe is a dry plateau on some 3,000,000 ha in north central 

Tanzania. The area supports extensive stands of Acacia woodland on the 

higher plateau and numerous depressions that contain seasonal swamps. 

The area supports globally threatened bird species and many elephants 

during the rainy season. 

Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir dams the Pangani River. The majority of the 

large animals have been displaced by fishermen, but some hippos and 

crocodile remain. The area supports some globally threatened bird species. 

Yaida Chini is an area with 16,200 ha of seasonal swamp and 8,000 ha of 

grassland near Lake Eyasi. The area supports various ungulates including 

elephant. Rhino used to be common but they have been poached out in the 

late 1970s. The area also supports some globally threatened bird species. 

Lake Burungi is a relatively small alkaline lake that lies 11 km south of Lake 

Manyara and supports globally threatened bird species and falls within the 

Tarangire-Makuyuni wildlife corridor. 

Lake Eyasi lies in a trough between the Mbulu Highlands and the Ngorongoro 

Highlands. It supports globally threatened bird species and falls within the 

Tarangire-Makuyuni wildlife corridor. Several species of large mammals 

exist in the area, including elephant and eland. 

Lake Natron and Engaruka Basin is a shallow soda lake situated on the 

floor of the Eastern Rift Valley. It supports a significant number of water 

birds and many globally threatened bird species. Considerable numbers 

of ungulates and other mammals are in the ecosystem including oryx, 

cheetah, caracal and leopard. Lake Natron is the northern limit of Manyara 

Ranch-Lake Natron corridor. 

Longido Game Controlled Area covers dry open habitat area in the western 

rain shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. The mature Acacia woodland is a vital 

feeding area for bull elephant. It supports several globally threatened bird 

14

Dar es Salaam Region 

Districts 

Ilala, Kinondoni, Temeke 

Capital 

Dar es Salaam 

Land area 

1,393 km 2 


2,487,288 


(1988 - 2002) 

4.3 % 

15



Dar es Salaam Region experiences a modified type of equatorial climate. It 

is generally hot and humid throughout the year with an average temperature 

of 29º C. The hottest season is from October to March during which 

temperatures can rise up to 35º C. It is relatively cool between May and 

August, with temperatures usually around 25º C. 

There are two main rain seasons; the first ‘short rains’ season from October 

to December and a season of longer rains between March and May. The 

average rainfall is 1,000 mm (lowest 800 mm and highest 1,300 mm). 

Humidity is around 96 % in the mornings and 67 % in the afternoons. The 

climate is also influenced by the south-westerly monsoon winds from April 

to October and north-westerly monsoon winds between November and 

March. 


Game Reserves 

Pande 

Important Bird Areas 

National Forest Reserves 

Marine Protected Areas 

Dar es Salaam Coast, Pande and 

Dondwe Coastal Forests 

Kazimzumbwi 

Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves 

(Bongoyo Island, Mbudya Island, 

Pangavini Island, Fungu Yasini) 

Da es Salaam Region 


Various trade and industry activities take place in Dar es Salaam city, while 

in other areas there is both commercial and peasantry farming. Tourism is 

another important economic activity. 


Dar es Salaam Region is divided into three ecological zones: the upland 

zone comprising the hilly areas to the west and north of the city, the middle 

plateau, and the low lands including Msimbazi valley, Jangwani, Mtoni, 

Africana and Ununio areas. The main natural vegetation includes coastal 

shrubs, Miombo woodland, coastal swamps and mangrove trees. 

The Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves support a good diversity of marine and 

bird life. Occasionally humpback whales are spotted in the deep waters 

around the reserves from May to August. 

16


Pande Coastal Forest covers a low sandstone ridge 16 km from the Indian 

Ocean and 6 km from Dar es Salaam towards Bagamoyo Road. Dondwe 

Coastal Forest is located on prison land and a private farm. These forests 

support three endemic plant species and some of the rarest birds in Africa 

including several globally threatened species, which have somehow 

managed to survive in and around an area supporting over 2.5 million 

people. 

Little is known about other fauna in these forests. 

17


Dodoma Region 

Dodoma Region 

Districts 

Bahi, Dodoma Rural, 

Dodoma Urban, Kondoa, 

Kongwa, Mpwapwa, 

Chamwino 

Capital 

Dodoma 

Land area 

41,311k m 2 


1,692,025 


(1988-2002) 

2.3 % 

18


Dodoma Region is centrally positioned in Tanzania. Much of it is on a plateau 

rising gradually from some 830 m in Bahi Swamps to 2,000 m above sea 

level in the highlands north of Kondoa. It is has a long dry season lasting 

between late April and early December, and a short single wet season 

occurring during the remaining months. In the long dry season, persistent 

desiccating winds and low humidity contribute to high evapo-transpiration 

and to soil erosion. 

The average rainfall for Dodoma town is 570 mm. Temperature in the 

region varies according to altitude but generally the average maximum and 

minimum is 31º C and 18º C respectively. 


The economy is almost entirely dependent on agriculture and livestock 

farming. Agriculture is characterized by low productivity resulting from low 

rainfall and high evapo-transpiration. Main crops grown are maize, finger 

millet, millet and sunflowers. Commercial hunting, photographic tourism 

and mining also take place in the region. 

19 


The vegetation in Dodoma Region can be broadly classified as dry savanna 

bushland, with isolated grassland and miombo woodlands. Apart from 

Tarangire National Park there are also two Game Reserves. Wildlife is 

concentrated in and around the formally protected areas, and includes 

herbivores such as elephants, greater kudu, Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s 

gazelle, dik-dik, buffalo, warthog, impala, wildebeest, zebra and giraffe; 

carnivores such as lion, hyena, cheetah and leopard; and avifauna includes 

typical savanna bird species.


The north section of Tarangire National Park is dominated by Acacia 

tortilis woodland and scattered Baobabs. Commiphora woodlands and 

Combretum-Dalbergia woodlands are present elswhere. Several extensive 

well vegetated swamps are also present. It is estimated that over 3000 

elephant make use of the Tarangire ecosystem. During the dry season 

many wildlife species congregate in the area in search of food and water. 

Leopard and lion are resident, while wild dogs are often observed in the 

south-east and cheetah are also frequently seen. The population of rhino 

was decimated by poaching in the late 1970s and finally extirpated during 

the 1980s. Common herbivore species include zebra, wildebeest, giraffe 

and buffalo. However, it is also possible to see gerenuk, lesser kudu, and 

eland. It is estimated that 480 bird species are present. These include the 

vulnerable lesser kestrel, karumoja apalis, the near-threatened Fischer’s 

lovebird and red-throated tit. Three Tanzanian endemics, the yellowcollared 

lovebird, ashy starling and rufous-tailed weaver have substantial 

populations within the park. 



Tarangire 

Game Reserves 

Mkungunero, Swaga Swaga 

Wildlife Management Areas Mkurungumero 

Game Controlled Areas 

Open Areas 

Wildlife migration corridors 



Goima 

Kizigo River 

Muhezi-Swaga Swaga 

Mtera Reservoir, Rubeho Mountains, 

Tarangire National Park 

Chemichemi, Dodoma Reservoir, 

East Chenene, Ijogo, Irangi Escarpment, 

Isabe, Kingongkwe, Kome, Mafwomero, 

Mangalissa, Masanza, Mbuga ya Goima, 

Mlali, Njogi, Salanga, Sasajila, Vikonje, 

West Chenene, Wotta 

Dodoma Region 


Muhezi-Swaga Swaga wildlife corridor links Muhezi Game Reserve with 

Swaga Swaga Game Reserve. Little is known about this corridor except 

that it is used by elephant. Kudu, impala and eland are also known to occur 

in the area, however it is unclear if they are resident or migratory. 

Rubeho Mountains form a dissected plateau in the centre of the Eastern Arc 

Mountains, where the chain skirts the western edge of Mikumi National Park 

and the Mkata Plain. The area supports dry montane forest and provides 

habitat for some globally threatened bird species and significant numbers 

of elephant, buffalo, bushbuck, red duiker, and bushpig. 

20

Iringa Region 

Districts 

Iringa Rural, Iringa Urban, 

Kilolo, Ludewa, Makete, 

Mufindi, Njombe 

Capital 

Iringa 

Land area 

56,864 km 2 


1,490,892 


(1988 - 2002) 

1.5 % 

21



Iringa Region can be divided into highland, midland and lowland zones. 

The eastern Highlands zone lies at an altitude of 1,600 to 2,700 m above 

sea level. Temperatures are normally below 15º C with rainfall ranging 

between 1,000 and 1,600 mm per annum. The central Midlands zone lies at 

an altitude of 1,200 to 1,600 m above sea level. Temperatures range from 

15º C to 20º C, with an average rainfall of between 600 and 1,000 mm per 

annum. The northern Lowlands zone has an altitude of 900 to 1,200 m above 

sea level. Temperatures vary between 20º C to 25º C with a low rainfall 

ranging between 500 and 600 mm per annum. 

Iringa Region has red / yellow, well-drained and highly weathered and 

leached clay soils in the high altitude areas. The Midlands areas are 

occupied by intermediate clay soils, which are characterized by being 

moderately drained and leached. The Lowlands are occupied dominantly 

by red / brown loams and are highly fertile. 

Iringa Region is generally dominated by the Kipengere and Livingstone 

mountain ranges in the southern part of the region and the Udzungwa 

Mountains separate Iringa and Morogoro Regions in the east. The northern 

parts of the region are relatively flat. These high plains are cut by the eastern 

arm of the Great Rift Valley, through which the Great Ruaha River runs. The 

region is further characterized by the presence of a big plateau portion, 

which forms the common landform. 

Iringa Region forms part of the Indian Ocean drainage zone. The Great and 

Little Ruaha rivers join the Rufiji River outside the region to form part of the 

Rufiji River Basin. The central plateau of the region divides the catchment 

into northern drainage and southern drainage. The rivers draining north all 

merge into the Great Ruaha and those draining south join the Rufiji and the 

Kilombero rivers. Most of the southern part of the region drains into Lake 

Nyasa, which via the Shire and Zambezi rivers also drain into the Indian 

Ocean. 

Iringa Region 


Agriculture is the largest single sector in the economy of Iringa Region 

followed by livestock keeping and fishing. Maize is the major staple food 

crop. Other food crops of great importance include round potatoes, sweet 

potatoes and beans. Cash crops of significant economic importance are: 

tobacco, a crop mainly grown in Iringa Rural district; sunflower which is grown 

in Iringa Rural and Njombe districts; tea which is grown mainly in Mufindi 

and Njombe districts; pyrethrum, a crop chiefly grown in Makete district; 

coffee, grown in all rural districts in the region but in varying proportions 

led by Ludewa. Horticultural crops made up of onions, tomatoes, fruits and 

cabbage / vegetables are grown commercially mainly in Iringa Rural and 

Kilolo districts. 

Fishing in Iringa Region takes place mainly in Lake Nyasa of Ludewa 

district, in Mtera Dam of Iringa Rural district, Lake Ngwazi in Mufindi and in 

Itombololo Dam. Some fishing activities also take place in both the Great 

Ruaha and Little Ruaha rivers. 

22


The vegetation in the Iringa Region varies from miombo woodlands, 

savanna, grassland and montane forest. 

Ruaha, Kitulo and Udzungwa National Parks and Lake Nyasa are all located 

in this region. Several known wildlife migration corridors exist, which link 

Udzungwa and Ruaha National Parks with surrounding areas. 

Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest National Park and supports both miombo 

woodland and savanna vegetation communities. The park is rich in a variety 

of wildlife and is a large elephant sanctuary. Its name is derived from the 

Great Ruaha River, which flows along the eastern border creating spectacular 

gorges and scenery flowing into the Rufiji River. The Great Ruaha is home to 

hippo and crocodile. Other wildlife species found in large numbers include 

waterbuck, reedbuck, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, wild dog, jackal, sable 

antelope, giraffe, zebra, greater and lesser kudu, and many others. 

The Udzungwa Mountain range forms a National Park of some 2,000 km 2 

astride both Morogoro and Iringa Regions. The Udzungwa Mountains form 

an important part of the Eastern Arc Mountains which, after 30 million years 

of existence support a high biodiversity and many endangered plant and 

animal species. Currently 96 endemic species of vertebrates have been 

found including sunbirds, chameleons and that wide-eyed primate, the 

bushbaby. It is estimated that the Eastern Arc also contains some 800 

endemic plant species. The Arc is recognised as one of the “bio-diversity 

hotspots” of the world. Among the most unique residents of the Udzungwas 

are the Kihansi spray toad, Sanje crested mangabay, the Matundu galago 

and the Iringa red colobus. 

Kitulo Plateau is the other National Park in the region. It is over 1,500 metres 

above sea level and as such it is the only alpine plateau in Tanzania where 

frost, snow and ice occur every year. It is also the only place in Tanzania 

where one can view alpine loving migratory birds, which come from as far 

north as Europe. 

Lake Nyasa (also known as Lake Malawi) is the third largest and second 

deepest lake in Africa. It is a “world treasure” in terms of biodiversity since 

it is estimated that up to 1,000 species of fish live in it, of which over 600 

are endemic. 



Udzungwa, Ruaha, Kitulo Plateau 

Game Reserves 

Kipengere 

Wildlife Management Areas Ifua, Lunda / Mkwambi, Mbomipa, 

Mahenge (proposed), Pawaga / Idoli, 

Udekwa, Waga (proposed), 

Mpanga / Kipengera (Umemaruwa) 

Game Controlled Areas Ihogosa 

Open Areas 

Idete / Mgololo, Mpanga Tazara 

Wildlife migration corridors Igando-Igawa, Udzungwa-Ruaha, 

Udzungwa-Selous, 

Uzungwa Scarp-Kilombero NR (Mngeta) 

Important Bird Areas Kitulo Plateau National Park, 

Livingstone Mountains Forests, 

Mtera Reservoir, Njombe Forests, 

Ruaha National Park, Udzungwa Mountains, 

Udzungwa National Park 

National Forest Reserves Bulongwa Madehani, Gulosilo, Hupanga, 

Idamba, Idewa, Iditima, Idunda, Igoma, 

Ikonde, Ilonganjaula, Ipongoro, Iringa, 

Irunda, Isililo, Kibao, Kigogo, Kihanga, 

Kiranzi Kitunguru, Kisinga Rugaro, 

Kitapilimwa, Litoni, Livingstone, Lupembe, 

Madenge, Mafifi, Mahenye, Matembwe, 

Mayefiya, Mbalwe Mfukulembwe, Mdando, 

23


Iringa Region 

Nature Reserve 

Mfulikilo, Mgololo, Mkewe, Mninga, Mpala, 

Mufindi Scarp East, Mufindi Scarp West, 

Musiora, Ndukunduku, Ndumbi Valley, 

New Dabaga, Nguluka, Ngwasi, Nijilikwa, 

Rupiage, Sakaranyumo, Sao Hill, 

Sao Hill Extension, Sao Hill Extension, 

Silupati, Ulangambi, West Kilombero Scarp 

Kilombero 


Igando-Igawa wildlife corridor runs from Usanga north-east through Ruaha 

National Park down to Mpanga-Kipengere Game Reserve. Large mammals 

are known to use this area. These include buffalo, bush duiker, eland, 

elephant, red duiker and zebra. Larger carnivores present include caracal, 

serval, leopard and lion. 

Udzungwa-Ruaha wildlife corridor links Udzungwa National Park with 

Ruaha National Park and the Idodi-Pawaga Wildlife Management Area. 

Elephants are known to move along this corridor. Other species such as 

leopard, hyena, greater kudu, impala, buffalo and giraffe are also known to 

occur within the corridor area. 

Udzungwa-Selous wildlife corridor connects Udzungwa National Park with 

Selous Game Reserve through two routes, namely through Nyanganje and 

Ruipa. The routes cross a mosaic of habitats, including riverine forest, woodland, 

scrub, degraded pasture and swamp. Elephant and buffalo make use of the 

Nyanganje route. Other animals reported to occur in the corridor include 

bushbuck, bushpig, leopard, puku and yellow baboon. The Ruipa route also 

facilitates the movement of elephant and buffalo. Other animals found in this 

area include aardvark, Angolan black and white colobus, bushbuck, porcupine, 

Harvey’s duiker, bushbuck, hippopotamus, leopard, lion, puku, spotted hyena, 

waterbuck and the Udzungwa-endemic Udzungwa red colobus. 

Udzungwa Scarp-Kilombero Nature Reserve (Mngeta) wildlife corridor links 

Udzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve to the united network of northern Udzungwa 

forest (protected as Udzungwa Mountain National Park and Kilombero Nature 

Reserve). The area is comprised of grasslands, shrublands, woodlands and 

forest. The area contains blocks of moist forest, which support the greatest 

amount of biodiversity in the Eastern Arc. It is one of the most important 

areas in Africa for primate conservation, and hosts endangered and endemic 

forest mammals, namely the Sanje mangabay, Udzungwa red colobus and 

Abbott’s duiker, as well as several other vertebrates. 

Kitulo Plateau includes forest reserves supporting montane grassland that 

lie between Matamba Village and the Livingstone Forest. The area supports 

three endemic plant species and 14 near endemics. 

Livingstone Mountains’ forests form the high ground along the north-east 

coast of Lake Nyasa and the Njombe forests are located on the highlands of 

Njombe. No large mammals make use of these forests but they are likely to 

sustain small mammals, invertebrates and plants of international importance. 

The area also supports some globally threatened bird species. 

The forest reserves in the Udzungwa Mountains support an array of plant 

and wildlife diversity including elephant and globally threatened bird species. 

24

Kagera Region 

Districts 

Biharamulo, Bukoba Rural, 

Bukoba Urban, Chato 

Karagwe, Misenyi, 

Muleba, Ngara 

Capital 

Bukoba 

Land area 

28,388 km 2 


2,028,157 


(1988 - 2002) 

3.1 % 

25



Kagera Region consists of a series of a hills running north to south and 

parallel to the shore of Lake Victoria. The region has an equatorial climate 

characterized by high rainfall. The region experiences two rain seasons. 

The heavy rains fall from March to May and ‘short rains’ from October to 

December. Kagera receives an average rainfall of 800 mm to 2,000 mm per 

annum. The average temperature ranges from 20°C to 30°C throughout the 

year. 

Kagera lies approximately 1,100 m to 1,700 m above sea level and is 

covered by the waters of Lake Victoria, Lakes Ikimba and Burigi, and 

Ngono and Kagera rivers. There are a variety of rocks including volcanic, 

sedimentary and igneous. 

Kagera Region 


The leading economic activity in Kagera is agriculture, with the main 

commercial product being coffee, and the main food crops and dietary 

staple being matoke (large green bananas that are roasted or steamed), 

maize and beans. 

Most inhabitants along the Lake Victoria undertake fishing activities. Dairy 

farming, which started in and around Bukoba Town, has now spread 

throughout the region with an estimated 6,000 heifers on the land. Traditional 

livestock keeping is mostly practiced in Biharamulo and Karagwe districts. 

Unfortunately the region has not reaped many benefits from its existing 

game reserves through block hunting and / or eco-tourism, due to fear 

imposed by a lack of adequate security in this border region. 


The region is characterized by a mosaic of miombo woodland, grasslands, 

gallery forest and wetlands. However, the majority of the region is most 

typically characterised by hilly terrain with thick tropical forests and wide, 

open grasslands. 

There are no national parks in the region but five game reserves have been 

proclaimed. Common species in the reserves include elephant, buffalo, 

baboon, black and white colobus, impala, leopard and lion. Migration of 

wildlife between these reserves is also well known to occur. 

26


Game Reserves 

Biharamulo, Burigi, Kimis, Ibanda, Rumanyika 

Open Areas 




Other Forest Reserves 

Rumanyika, Sina 

Burigi-Akagera (Rwanda), 

Burigi-Moyowosi / Kigosi 

Burigi-Biharamulo Game Reserve, Kagera 

Swamps, Lake Victoria-Bumbire Islands, 

Minziro Forest Reserve 

Biharamuro, Kantale, Kasongoye, Kiamawe, 

Kiau Island, Kikuru, Kingongoro, Minziro, 

Munene, Nyantakara, Ruasina, Rubale, 

Ruchezi, Ruiga, Uyovu 

Bujuruga, Goyagoye, Mashure, Mutagata, 

Murusagamba, Kahundwe, Katera 

27 


Burigi-Akagera wildlife corridor runs from Kimisi Game Reserve, Burigi 

Game Reserve and Biharamulo Game Reserve up to to Akagera National 

Park in Rwanda. The area contains miombo and water loving large mammal 

species including buffalo, bushbuck, eland, giraffe, impala, hartebeest, 

reedbuck, roan, sable, sitatunga, topi, waterbuck, warthog and zebra. 

Burigi-Moyowosi / Kigosi wildlife corridor runs from Moyowosi Game 

Reserve and Kigosi Game Reserve up north to Kimisi Game Reserve, Burigi 

Game Reserve and Biharamulo Game Reserve. The area contains similar 

species to those in the Burigi-Akagera wildlife corridor. 

Kagera Swamps lie on the border of Tanzania and Rwanda. The series 

of swamps are characterised by extensive stands of papyrus that form 

habitats for many birds and other animals. Many large mammals utilized 

this area until recently, but only hippo populations still remain.


Kigoma Region 

Kigoma Region 

Districts 

Kasulu, Kibondo, 

Kigoma Rural, 

Kigoma Urban 

Capital 

Kigoma 

Land area 

37,037 km 2 


1,674,047 


(1988 - 2002) 

4.8 % 

28


Kigoma Region is located in the western part of Tanzania, with Lake 

Tanganyika, the second deepest fresh water lake in the world, forming 

its south-western boundary. Kigoma Region has a tropical climate with 

Lake Tanganyika influencing the climate and leading to high temperatures 

and humidity. The average temperature ranges between 20º C and 30º C. 

Annual rainfall ranges between 600 and 1,600 mm, mostly distributed along 

and around the lake and the highlands of Kibondo and Kasulu Districts. 

The mean rainfall is approximately 1,100 mm. The pattern of the rainfall is 

unimodal with the rainy season lasting from October to May, followed by a 

prolonged dry season. 

Kigoma Region may be divided into two distinct landscape types: the 

western parts are dominated by mountains and hilly areas and the eastern 

parts are characterized by low, undulating hills and swampy areas. 

The altitude for the entire region varies from the level of Lake Tanganyika, 

which is 773 m above sea level, up to almost 2,000 m above sea level. The 

soil in the region is mostly loam and clay. A substantial amount of alluvial 

soil can be found, mostly in Kibondo District. 

The region has a lot of rivers and fresh water lakes. Most important is the 

Malagarasi River followed by the smaller Lugufu, Ugalla, Luiche, Ruchugi 

and Luekegele rivers. The larger of these rivers flow all year round while 

the smaller rivers flow intermittently. Lake Tanganyika represents one major 

source of water especially for Kigoma / Ujiji Township. 

All surface water in the Kigoma Region drains into Lake Tanganyika and 

eventually towards the Atlantic Ocean. A large part of the region is drained 

by the Malagarasi River, which has its origin near Manyovu. The catchments 

comprising approximately 30,000 km 2 of the region also stretch across the 

Burundi border and far into the Tabora Region. Other significant catchments 

are the Luiche catchments, which consist of mountains north of Kigoma 

and Lugufu and Luegele catchments, which also drain parts of the Rukwa 

Region. Besides these large catchments many smaller streams drain the 

escarpment into Lake Tanganyika. 

29 


Agriculture is the mainstay of Kigoma residents’ livelihoods with its activities 

accounting for about 80 % of all sectors’ economic contribution in the 

region. Food crops grown include cassava, maize, legumes, sweet potatoes 

and banana. Cash crops include coffee, palm oil, cotton, groundnuts and 

tobacco. Beans, maize and bananas are most important crops grown in 

the highland zone while coffee is grown in the wetter lands which cover 

most parts of Kibondo and Kasulu districts. In the intermediate zone maize, 

cassava, beans, oil palm, groundnuts and sweet potatoes are grown. There 

is not much crop production in the miombo area; this area is traditionally 

important for beekeeping, hunting and fishing activities. Coffee, cotton, 

ginger and oil palm are also grown within the region and some horticulture 

is practised.


Kigoma Region 

Kigoma Region generally lacks mineral wealth except for having a wellknown 

supply of salt from the salt springs at Uvinza. 


Kigoma Region has a considerable diversity of vegetation types, 

namely: montane forests, riverine forests and closed and open miombo 

woodlands. Other vegetation types include montane grasslands, open 

grasslands, wooden grasslands, bush grasslands, bamboo thickets and 

swampy vegetation. Miombo woodlands make up the major vegetation 

type, occupying about 45.1 % of the land area and consisting mostly 

of Brachystegia, Jubernardia and Isoberlimia species. Kigoma has an 

estimated cover of forest and woodland amounting to over 842,000 ha. The 

swampy vegetation is dominated by mat forming species covering the area 

of Malagarasi and Moyowosi Ramsar Site. Lake Tanganyika boasts more 

than 2,000 species of flora and fauna and is among the richest fresh water 

ecosystems in the world. Of these species, more than 600 are endemic 

and include a remarkable percentage of fish (over 250 species are cichlids), 

gastropods, bivalves, ostrapoda, decapods, copepods, leeches, sponges 

and many other species. The lake is incredibly rich in ornamental fish. 

An outstanding hydrological feature of the region is the Malagarasi Swamp 

close to the regional boundary of the Tabora Region. This area consists 

of plains with scarce vegetation and forested patches that dry up during 

the dry season. The swamps act as regulators of streamflow. Due to low 

infiltration rates, they change from small, scattered ponds in the dry season 

to shallow temporary lakes during the wet season. 

The region contains Gombe National Park and Mahale National Park, a 

game reserve and many forest reserves. 

Mahale National Park is located along Lake Tanganyika south of Kigoma 

town. It has a chimpanzee population of about 500 animals. Other primates 

found in Mahale which are not common elsewhere include red tailed 

monkeys, red colobus and the Angolan black and white colobus monkeys. 

In the eastern woodlands the park also supports populations of elephant, 

giraffe, zebra, antelopes, buffalo and warthog. Predators such as lion, 

leopard, hyena and crocodile also occur along with a good variety of birds. 

Gombe National Park is also along Lake Tanganyika and is the smallest 

National Park in Tanzania. It supports a population of over 80 chimpanzees. 

The area has a high diversity of other mammals including baboon, red 

colobus, bushbuck, duikers, leopard, civet, genet and mongoose. 

30



Gombe, Mahale 

Game Reserves 

Moyowosi 

Wildlife Management Areas Chakula (proposed), Malagarasi, 

Mtegwanoti (proposed), Nyamroha 

Game Controlled Areas Luganzo, Nyamtoha 

Wildlife migration corridors Gombe-Kwitanga, 

Gombe-Mukungu-Rukambasi, 

Greater Gombe Ecosystem-Masito- 

Ugalla, Katavi-Mahale 

Important Bird Areas Mahale Mountain National Park, 

Moyowosi-Kigosi Game Reserve 

National Forest Reserves Buyungu, Ilunde, Kungwe Bay, Lugufu, 

Luiche, Mkuti, Mlela, Mwalye, 

North Makere, Songa, South Makere, 

Uvinza 

Other Forest Reserves Bhizilankwetu, Buhoro, Bulimaji, 

Gwamabano, Kagondo, Kalembwe, 

Kashoza A, Kashoza B, Keza, Kigaye, 

Kigendeka, Kikundwamvura, Kimanga, 

Kimori, Kirungu, Kitapata, Kizika, 

Kulugongo, Kumkubba, Kungaru, 

Kyakitonto (proposed), Madege, Makele, 

Makingi, Makinging Hill, Marang’ombe, 

Mikobe Juu, Mikoke Chini, Mramba, 

Mtara, Mubanga, Mugombe, Mwali, 

Myanga, Ndanyintavye, Nyachenge, 

Nyamabbuye, Nyamidawe, Nyankwi, 

Nzangwa, Rugunga, Rungarunga, Shinga, 

Sogeeni / Kwiliba, Vugwe 


Gombe-Kwitanga wildlife corridor connects Gombe National Park with 

Kwitanga Forest, the largest remaining national forest east of Gombe and 

also a protected area that has a documented community of chimpanzees. 

Gombe-Mukungu-Rukambasi wildlife corridor includes a mosaic of forestmiombo 

woodland-grassland habitats along the Rift Valley escarpment 

between Gombe National Park and the Burundi border, with the closest 

protected area the Mukunga-Rukambasi Protected Landscape. 

The Greater Gombe Ecosystem-Masito-Ugalla corridor includes the area 

between the Greater Gombe Ecosystem and the Masito-Ugalla border by 

the Kwitanga Forest and Malagarasi River. Chimpanzees have also been 

seen but little information is known about other wildlife in this corridor area. 

Katavi-Mahale wildlife corridor consists of various routes from Ugalla, 

Masito, Ntakata Forest, Mahale Mountain National Park and Katavi National 

Park, all of which are predominantly used by elephant. 

31


Kilimanjaro Region 


Districts 

Hai, Moshi Rural, 

Moshi Urban, Mwanga, 

Rombo, Same, Siha 

Capital 

Moshi 

Land area 

13,309 km 2 


1,376,702 


(1988-2002) 

1.6 % 

32


Kilimanjaro Region is located in the north-eastern part of Tanzania and 

boasts the famous snow covered Mount Kilimanjaro which towers 5,895 

meters above sea level. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. 

There is marked variation in the amount of rainfall according to altitude and 

the direction of the slope in the mountainous areas. The mean annual rainfall 

varies from 500 mm in the lowlands to over 2,000 mm in the mountainous 

areas. The hot season lasts from October until March; and with a high 

humidity, temperatures go up to as far as 40º C in the lowlands. In the 

mountainous areas temperatures range from about 15º C to 30º C. 

The soils of the region are quite varied. The alluvial soils are potentially 

good for agriculture, but only through irrigation due to the unreliability of 

rainfall in these areas. The dominant physical feature is a main chain of 

mountains running from north north-west to south south-east with land 

sloping away to a minimum height of 305 m above sea level on either side. 

The snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro provides an endless supply of water 

to the lower slopes along numerous streams. Most of the rivers in this region 

peter out after running into the plains. Ruvu (Pangani) River and Kikuletwa 

River gather water from the upper streams and keep flowing even in the dry 

season. Both rivers join together at one point, approximately 38 km south 

of Moshi, forming a large artificial lake called Nyumba ya Mungu extending 

about 6 km from north to south. The water discharged from the dam 

feeds the Pangani River, which turns around and flows southward in the 

neighbourhood of Mkomazi at the southern tip of the South Pare Mountain 

system to form the largest water system in this region. 


The greater part of the population (75 %) in the region live in the rural areas 

and are heavily dependent on agriculture and livestock keeping for their 

livelihood. Main cash crops in the region include coffee, which is grown 

in plantations as well as by smallholders. Wheat and barley are grown in 

the state farms. Cardamon, sisal, cotton, sunflower and groundnuts are 

expanding to utilise more ground. The region is a major coffee producer 

and its production accounts for an average of 30 % to 36 % of the total 

national coffee production. Livestock is ranked as the second vital economic 

activity in the region. Modern dairy farming is practised in the highlands and 

intermediate zones, whereas the people in the lowlands are engaged in 

more traditional, “unscientific” ranching. 

Apart from agriculture and livestock, which contributes about 60 % to the 

Regional Gross Domestic Product, there are also a variety of industrial and 

commercial activities undertaken in the region. 

33



The recently proclaimed Mkomazi National Park (which was previously a 

Game Reserve) supports savanna and Acacia - Commiphora woodlands. 

Large populations of big and small mammals move in and out of the area. 

Wildlife species include side-striped jackal, lion, cheetah, leopard, lesser 

kudu, giraffe, Grant’s gazelle, hyena, hartebeest, warthog, buffalo, elephant 

and zebra. The endangered black rhino and wild dog are being bred in 

smaller sanctuaries within the park. More than 450 species of birds have 

been recorded in the park. 

Approximately 139,832 ha of land is vegetated with natural forests, which 

predominantly occur in the highland zone. Many small forest reserves have 

been established within the region. 


Kilimanjaro Region supports many wildlife species that occur both within 

and outside formally protected areas. 

Kilimanjaro National Park is home to several high altitude species while 

Mkomazi National Park, Lotatema and Ruvu Game Controlled areas are 

important sanctuaries for savanna species. 

Kilimanjaro National Park supports montane forest, moorland and alpine 

desert. Various wildlife species inhabit the mountain. These include Abbott’s 

duiker, grey duiker, red duiker, bushbuck, eland, leopard, buffalo, blue vervet 

monkey and black and white colobus. Over 100 elephants also inhabit the 

area. The forest edge provides habitat for striped hyena, aardvark, eland, 

serval and mountain reedbuck. There is one endemic species of shrew, 

four endemic species and subspecies of butterflies, six endemic plants and 

twelve endemic mosses and liverworts. 


Natural World Heritage Sites Kilimanjaro National Park 


Kilimanjaro, Mkomazi 

Game Reserves 

Kilimanjaro 

Wildlife Management Areas Enduimet 

Game Controlled Areas Kalimawe, Ruvu, Kilimanjaro, 

Sanya / Leta Tema 

Wildlife migration corridors Kilimanjaro-Amboseli (Kitendeni) 

Important Bird Areas Longido Game Controlled Area, 

Mkomazi Game Reserve, Mount Kilimanjaro, 

North Pare Mountains, 

Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir, 

South Pare Mountains 

National Forest Reserves Chambogo, Chomme, Chongwani, Gonja, 

Kahe, Kankoma, Kileo East, Kilimanjaro, 

Kindoroko, Kisiwani, Koko Hill, Kwizu, 

Maganda, Minja, Mramba, Rau, Vumari 

34


Kilimanjaro-Amboseli (Kitendeni) wildlife corridor lies to the west of Mount 

Kilimanjaro, and serves as an important wildlife link between Amboseli 

National Park in Kenya, Lake Natron and Kilimanjaro National Park in 

Tanzania. As many as 600 elephants use this corridor in the dry season, 

which also provides important calving areas for zebra, wildebeest, 

Thomson’s gazelles and Grant’s gazelle. 

Longido Game Controlled Area covers dry, open habitat in the western 

rain shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. The mature Acacia woodlands are an 

important feeding area for bull elephant. It also supports several globally 

threatened bird species and forms part of the Kilimanjaro-Amboseli wildlife 

corridor. 

Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir dams the Pangani River. The majority of the 

large animals have been displaced by fishermen, but some hippos and 

crocodile remain as do some globally threatened bird species. 

North Pare Mountains and their associated forests lie about 35 km south 

south-east of Mount Kilimanjaro. Many small mammals and invertebrates 

make use of the forest, including globally threatened bird species. However, 

large mammals no longer make use of the area. 

South Pare Mountains and its associated forests lie between the North 

Pare Mountains and the West Usambara Mountains. Little information is 

available on faunal species present, however it is known to support some 

globally threatened bird species. 

35


Lindi Region 

Lindi Region 

Districts 

Kilwa, Lindi Rural, 

Lindi Urban, 

Liwale, Nachingwea 

Ruangwa 

Capital 

Lindi 

Land area 

66,046 km 2 


787,624 


(1988-2002) 

1.4 % 

36


Lindi Region is located in south-western Tanzania. It has a coastal climate 

which is hot and humid, with an average temperature range of between 

22º C and 34º C. Humidity is as high as around 98-100 % during the ‘long 

rains’ season. The region receives a total rainfall of 800 - 1,400 mm per year 

and its distribution varies substantially according to locality. Much of the 

eastern part of the region is in the Selous Game Reserve. 


The economy of Lindi Region hinges on crop production, livestock keeping, 

fishing, external trade and to a very limited extent on industrial activities. 

Like in most other regions in Tanzania, the residents of Lindi draw a 

substantial amount of income and food from smallholder cultivators. The 

most popular crops are cashew nuts, simsim and coconuts. There is not 

much cash generated from maize, cassava and rice as these are the main 

staple food crops in the region. Livestock keeping, particularly dairy cattle, 

is on the increase. A marginal contribution in revenue comes from seaweed 

farming, an activity that is attaining economic significance as the market for 

it grows. 


The area is dominated by miombo woodlands in the interior and coastal 

and mangrove forests along the coastline. Away from the villages and 

especially inside and near the Selous Game Reserve boundary and along 

the large rivers, some typical miombo woodland fauna can still be found. 

This includes elephant, buffalo, hippo, sable, wild dog, lion and leopard. 

The Selous Game Reserve is a World Heritage Site and Africa’s largest 

protected area. It is predominantly vegetated by miombo woodland, with 

considerable grasslands along drainage lines and large areas of open 

Terminalia woodland in the north. Within the northern and eastern areas are 

several medium sized freshwater lakes and substantial seasonal swamps. 

Its rivers, hills, and plains are home to substantial elephant populations, and 

a few black rhino are thought to remain. It supports the largest population of 

buffalo in Africa and is also a stronghold for wild dog. Other game species 

include sable, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippopotamus and crocodile. 

Over 450 bird species have been recorded in the reserve. 

37



Natural World Heritage Sites Selous Game Reserve 

Game Reserves 

Selous 

Wildlife Management Areas Magingo, Mbomaminjika (Kilwa), 

Ndonda (proposed) 

Open Areas 

Mtwenembe 

Wildlife migration corridors Eastern Selous-Niassa 

Important Bird Areas Kilwa District Coastal Forests, 

Lindi District Coastal Forests, 

Selous Game Reserve 

National Forest Reserves Chitoa, Kitope Hill, Lionja, Litipo, 

Luhombero Luwegu, Lungonya, Makangala, 

Matapwa, Matehi, Mbinga, Mitarure, 

Mitundumbea, Mtama, Nampekeso, 

Nandimbo, Ndimbu, Ngarama North, 

Ngarama South, Nyera Kiperere, Pindiro, 

Rondo, Ruawa, Rungo, Tongomba 

Other Forest Reserves Angai, Chilato, Chingimbo, Chiwelere, 

Hingawali, Kilolambwani, Kimawe, Kipindimbi, 

Kitandi, Kitunda, Lichwachwa, Lionja B, 

Liuyinga, Liwengula, Liyai, Makangala, 

Makangara, Makonde, Matapwa, Mdawa, 

Michenga, Mihima, Mitorure, Mnacho, 

Mongo, Mongrove-Lindi, Mpigamiti, Mpunje, 

Mtama, Mtumbia, Muamba, Nahanga, 

Namangare, Namupa, Nandenje, Nandimba, 

Nangiule, Ngarama South, Ngarama North, 

Ngau, Nyangedi, Pindiro, Ruaha 

Lindi Region 


The Eastern Selous-Niassa wildlife corridor links Selous Game Reserve 

with Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique. Elephants are the primary 

users of the corridor, but it does support several other species such as 

sable, buffalo, yellow baboon, hyena, wild dog, lion and leopard. 

Kilwa District Coastal Forests are located on the coastal lowlands south 

of the Rufiji River and are characterized by low lying hills over a sandstone 

base with poor quality soils. The natural vegetation ranges from mangrove 

and coastal thicket through coastal woodland to extensive areas of miombo 

woodland. Elephants and wild dog are known to still make use of the 

forests, and they also support several globally threatened species of birds. 

Lindi District Coastal Forests are located on the coastal plain that runs 

parallel to the coast. The forests support several endemic plants and some 

rare and localized populations of small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, 

invertebrates as well as several species of globally threatened birds. Some 

elephants also still make use of these forests. 

38

Manyara Region 

Districts 

Babati, Hanang, Kiteto, 

Mbulu, Simanjiro 

Capital 

Babati 

Land area 

45,820 km 2 


1,037,605 


(1988-2002) 

3.8 % 

39


Manyara Region 


Manyara Region is located in north-eastern Tanzania. Manyara Region 

has a moderate climate. The average annual temperature is 22º C and the 

rainfall ranges from 300 to 1,000 mm per annum. The topography is made 

up of partly hilly and partly rolling plains scattered with fresh and saltwater 

lakes. There are some high peaks in the region, such as Mount Hanang 

which is 3,418 m above sea level. 


The main economic activity of the Manyara Region is agriculture. Both 

commercial and subsistence farming are carried out. Maize, beans, wheat, 

potatoes, barley, bananas, coffee and vegetables are the main crops grown. 

Tourism and livestock are other important economic activities. 


The majority of the region is covered in Acacia woodland and thicket, with 

patches of miombo woodland. The main protected area falling within the 

region is Tarangire National Park. 

The north section of Tarangire National Park is dominated by Acacia tortilis 

woodland and scattered Baobab trees. Commiphora woodlands and 

Combretum-Dalbergia woodlands are present elsewhere as well as several 

extensive well vegetated swamps. It is estimated that over 3,000 elephant 

make use of the Tarangire ecosystem. 

During the dry season many wildlife species congregate in the area in 

search of food and water. Leopard and lion are resident, while wild dogs 

are frequently observed in the south-east and cheetah are frequently seen. 

The population of rhino was decimated by poaching in the late 1970s and 

finally extirpated during the 1980s. 

Common game species include zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and buffalo. 

However, it is also possible to see gerenuk, lesser kudu, and eland. It is 

estimated that 480 bird species are present. These include the vulnerable 

lesser kestrel, karumoja apalis and the near-threatened Fischer’s lovebird 

and red-throated tit. Three Tanzanian endemics, the yellow-collared lovebird, 

ashy starling and rufous-tailed weaver have substantial populations within 

the park. 

Many wildlife species still occur outside formally protected areas, where 

they are either resident or moving from one area to another. These species 

generally occur away from human habitation and near rivers and other 

water bodies, and include species such elephant, buffalo, impala, zebra, 

wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, bushpig, giraffe, baboons, hippo, dik-dik, 

hyena, giraffe, zebra, baboon, leopard and lion. 

40



Tarangire 

Wildlife Management Areas Burunge, Makame (Indema), Yaedachini 

Game Controlled Areas Simanjiro, Matala 

Open Areas 

Eborilei moritanjori, Masai south / Masai west, 

Talamai, Kitidai South 

Wildlife migration corridors Manyara Ranch-Lake Natron, 

Manyara-Ngorongoro, 

Tarangire-Makuyuni (Makuyuni), 

Tarangire-Simanjiro Plains, 

Tarangire-Manyara (Kwakuchinja) 

Important Bird Areas Tarangire National Park 

National Forest Reserves Bereku, Hanang, Haraa, Hassama Hill, 

Kilanga Hengae, Nou, Ufiome 

Other Forest Reserves Aata, Dirma, Duru-Haitemba, Gabeshi, 

Irkuishibor traditional, Isambalang (Sinyenge), 

Kalosendo, Kwaona, Majengo, 

Matangarimo (Stimu), Mureru (Senga), 

Murumba (Mwasiamia), 

Ndirigishi and Namerock, Sangariwe, Sarame, 

Save Hill, Sharmo, Simbai (Endesinyany), 

Sirop (Endadu), Sulled (Suledo), Waranga 

Tarangire-Makuyuni (Makuyuni) wildlife corridor links Tarangire National 

Park with an elephant dispersal area in Makuyuni village land. The corridor 

is only 15 km long and is dominated by Acacia woodland and dense thicket. 

Approximately 800 elephants move along this corridor. 

Tarangire-Mkungunero / Kimotorok wildlife corridor extends from the 

southern end of Tarangire National Park through Mkungunero Game Reserve 

and then eastwards toward Makame and Ndedo villages. The habitat is 

a combination of open grassland / swamp, open Acacia woodland, and 

dense thicket. Elephants make good use of this corridor, but it is likely that 

other large mammals also use it, including the rarer gerenuk, lesser kudu 

and wild dog. 

Tarangire-Simanjiro Plains wildlife corridor connects Tarangire National Park 

with Simanjiro Game Controlled Area, near Emboreet, Sukuro and Terrat 

villages. Zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest and oryx use this corridor. 

Tarangire-Manyara (Kwakuchinja) wildlife corridor connects Tarangire 

National Park with Manyara National Park and its surrounding areas. The 

area is primarily savanna with pockets of woodlands along the waterways. 

This corridor was once vital for 25 large mammal species, including elephant. 

However, 8 species are already locally extinct, namely eland, hartebeest, 

buffalo, oryx, lesser kudu, cheetah, leopard and lion. 


Manyara Ranch-Lake Natron wildlife corridor starts at the northern end of 

Tarangire National Park, through Manyara Ranch to Lake Natron. Wildebeest, 

zebra, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and eland make use of this corridor. 

Manyara-Ngorongoro (Upper Kitete / Selela) wildlife corridor connects 

Manyara Ranch to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and is used by elephants 

and buffalo. 

41


Mara Region 

Mara Region 

Districts 

Bunda, Musoma Rural, 

Musoma Urban, Serengeti, 

Tarime, Rorya 

Capital 

Musoma 

Land area 

19,568 km 2 

Population 

(2002) 1,368,397 


(1988-2002) 

2.5 % 

42


Mara Region is in the northern part of Tanzania. It is flanked by Lake Victoria 

on the north-west boundary. The region can be divided into three zones. 

These are the lakeshore, midlands and the Tarime highland zone. In general, 

the topography of the region is undulating to rolling with wide valleys and 

occasional steep side hills ranging from 1,100 to 1,800 m above sea level. 

Rainfall is very variable and ranges from 900 to 1,500 mm per year. 

Mara Region falls within the Lake Victoria basin. The Mara River is the only 

perennial river and it flows, with its tributaries, into Lake Victoria. Other 

streams flow to the lowland and form rivers like Tigitai, Suguti and Kyarano. 

Other streams drain to the north into Kenya where they flow into Migori 

River. 

In the lake shore zone soils are mainly light sandy and easily erodible but 

heavy clay soils are also to be found, in seasonal swamps and river valleys. 

The Tarime Highlands have deep, well-drained, red or brown soils on the 

gentle hillsides but frequently become shallow and stony on the steeper 

slopes and dark-grey or brown clays with impeded drainage in the valleys. 

The midland zone is dominated by heavy black cotton soils. 


Most of the region consists of woodlands, wooded grasslands and 

bushlands, collectively covering an area of 1,550,900 ha. A big portion of 

the Serengeti National Park is in the Mara Region and is listed as a World 

Heritage Site. The National Park occupies a vast area of grasslands and 

woodlands and is home to an extremely abundant and diverse range 

of wildlife. The Serengeti contains the greatest and most spectacular 

concentration of plains game to be seen anywhere in Africa. The park 

supports approximately 1.7 million wildebeest, 3,000 lion, a few black rhino 

and numerous other typical plains and savanna species. Over 500 species 

of birds have been recorded in the park. 


The region’s main economic activities are agricultural production, livestock 

rearing and fishing. Food production is undertaken by individual families 

to meet their own requirements but is inadequate to feed the region’s 

population. The main food crops are sorghum, cassava, maize, finger 

millet and rice. The region is estimated to have more than 1,100,000 cattle. 

Fishing is carried out along lakeshore villages in Bunda, Musoma and Tarime 

districts by fishermen, who use both traditional and modern techniques for 

fish processing and preservation. 

43 

Areas of conservation importance


Natural World Heritage Sites Serengeti National Park 


Serengeti 

Game Reserves 

Ikorongo, Grumeti 

Wildlife Management Areas Ikona, Tarime, Mariwanda (proposed), 

Gibaso / Morito (proposed) 

Game Controlled Areas Fort Ikoma, Speek Gulf 

Open Areas 

Isenye, Nata Sibora, Nyichoka, Nyamatoke, 

Rubanda 

Important Bird Areas Lake Victoria-Bunda Bay, 

Lake Victoria-Mara Bay and Masirori Swamp, 

Serengeti National Park 

National Forest Reserves Bwiregi, Karano, Kurwirwi, Kyanyari, 

Mugaberi, Nyabasi, Tarime 

Other Forest Reserves Bariri Ranges, Bigori, Bisumwa, Buruma, 

Bwiri, Kuruya, Malambika, 

Manchira Mogabiri, Musoma Ranges, 

Ring’wami, Rorya, Salama 


Mara Bay and Masirori Swamp lie on the shores of Lake Victoria. The area 

Mara Region 

provides feeding and breeding area for many birds including several globally 

threatened species such as the shoebill and the papyrus gonolek. 

44

Mbeya Region 

Districts 

Chunya, Ileje, Kyela, 

Mbarali, Mbeya, Mbozi, 

Rungwe 

Capital 

Mbeya 

Land area 

60,350 km 2 


2,063,328 


(1988-2002) 

2.4 % 

45


Mbeya Region 


Mbeya Region is located in the south-western corner of the southern 

highlands of Tanzania. It lies at an altitude of 475 to 2,981 m above sea 

level. The climate is generally tropical with marked seasonal and altitudinal 

temperatures and high rainfall variations causing dry and rainy seasons. 

Temperature ranges between 16º C in the highlands and 25º C in the 

lowlands. 

The region enjoys abundant and reliable rainfall. Annual rainfall varies 

between 650 mm in Usangu Plains and Chunya to 2,600 mm on the northern 

shores of Lake Nyasa and the highlands of Rungwe and the southern parts 

of Ileje District. 

In most arable areas, soils are commonly of moderate fertility, course or 

medium textured and varying from sandy loams, alluvial solids to cracking 

rocks. The major topographic features of Mbeya Region are the low elevation 

of the Western Rift Zone (Lake Rukwa and Lake Nyasa) and the Eastern Rift 

with the Usangu Plains and the neighbouring parts of the Ruaha trough. 

There are three main drainage basins within the region. The Ruaha-Rufiji 

basin extending towards the east; the inland Lake Rukwa basin in the northwest; 

and the Lake Nyasa basin in the south. The south highlands form a 

watershed area of the main rivers draining the region. Main rivers include the 

Great Ruaha, fed by Kimani, Chimala, Igurusi tributaries, eventually draining 

into the Indian Ocean. Rivers Zira and Songwe form the inland drainage 

into Lake Rukwa, while those of Kiwira, Lufilyo, Mbaka and Songwe drain 

southwards into Lake Nyasa, and finally towards the Indian Ocean through 

Shire and Zambezi Rivers. 


The economy of Mbeya Region, like that of most other regions in the country 

mainly depends on subsistence agriculture. About 80 percent of Mbeya’s 

population depend on agriculture, and the rest of the people depend on 

livestock-keeping, fishing, small-scale industrial activities, shop-keeping, 

minor mining and other small business. 


Although a large part of the region is cultivated, large tracts of land are still 

covered with miombo woodland. 

Areas with rainfall of between 800 and 1,200 mm per annum favour the 

growth of miombo woodland, while areas with less rain, especially in the 

north of the region, support the growth of wooded grassland and bushlands 

of dense thickets of Acacia. Those areas with higher rainfall, such as 

Rungwe, Kyela and South - East Ileje support forests, bamboo thickets and 

afro-alpine grasslands on the higher lying areas. 

Ruaha is Africa’s largest National Park and it supports both miombo 

woodland and savanna. The park is rich in terms of variety of wildlife and 

is a large elephant sanctuary. Its name is derived from the Great Ruaha 

River, which flows along the eastern border creating spectacular gorges 

46

and scenery flowing into the Rufiji River. The great Ruaha is home to hippo 

and crocodile and other wildlife found in large numbers include waterbuck, 

reedbuck, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, wild dog, jackal, sable antelope, 

giraffe, zebra, greater and lesser kudu and many others. 

Lake Nyasa (also known as Lake Malawi) is the third largest and second 

deepest lake in Africa. It is a “world treasure” in terms of biodiversity since 

it is estimated that it is home for up to 1,000 species of fish, of which over 

600 are endemic. 



Ruaha 

Game Reserves 

Open Areas 





Lukwati, Mpanga Kipengere 

Chunya, Piti 

Bujingijila (Mt Rungwe-Livingstone), 

Katavi-Mahale, Katavi Rungwa 

Lake Rukwa, Mount Rungwa, Ruaha National 

Park, Umalila Mountains, Usangu Flats 

Chimala Scarp, Chumwa Range, Chuvwi, 

Fonera, Ihoho, Irenga, Irungu, Isalala, 

Ivuna North, Ivuna South, Iyondo, Kabulo, 

Kalangali, Kipembawe, Kipengere, Kitweli, 

Kiwira, Kyejo, Kyosa, Longisont, Lukwati, 

Lupa North, Masukulu, Mbeya Fuel Plant, 

Mbeya Range, Mpara, Mswima, Muipa, 

Ndugumia, Ngalijembe, North Usafwa, Ntuzu, 

Poroto Ridge, Rungwe, Sawago, Umalila 

Chabu, Champande, Chimala Scrap, 

Galijembe, Idabila, Idungumia, Ikohol, 

Ileje Mountain, Ilembo, Ileme, Irenga, Irunga, 

Isalalo Chumwa, Isela, Isingina, Itengu, Ivuma, 

Izuba, Kabul, Kyosa, Longoste, 

Malawa Kaputa, Mapara, Mbeya Peak, 

Mbiwe, Mboli, Membe, Mkumbukwa, 

Mlimanyoka, Mpunguluma, Mswima, 

Mt. Nyoka, Mtainula Hills, Mtanzu, Nalupemba, 

Nambulukutu, Ngana, Ngombezi, North Usafwa, 

Patamela, Pima, Pimbi Hill, Poroto Ridge, 

Senjele, Shikula, Shinji, Sianimpala, Umalila, 

Zira River, Halembo 

47


Mbeya Region 


The Bujingijila (Mt Rungwe-Livingstone) wildlife corridor links Mount 

Rungwe with the Livingstone Forest and Kitulo National Park. A range 

of rare and restriced-range species occupy the forest landscape. Most 

notably, the kipunji, Abott’s duiker, bushbuck, Rungwe galago and black 

and white colobus. Leopard use the corridor seasonally and the two forests 

are also home to a variety of endemic vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. 

Katavi-Rungwa wildlife corridor connects Rukwa Game Reserve with 

Rungwa Game Reserve. The large uninhabited miombo woodland lying 

between these two protected areas supports the movement of many 

elephants and black rhino have also been seen in this area. Movement of 

other animals is unknown but it is likely that some non-migratory herbivores 

and carnivores reside in the corridor. 

Kitulo Plateau includes forest reserves that support montane grassland 

which is located between the Matamba village and Livingstone Forest. The 

area supports three endemic plant species and 14 near-endemics. 

Lake Rukwa lies within the Western Rift Valley and usually supports an 

impressive wetland of papyrus and Phragmities mauritianus at the northern 

end of the lake. The lake sustains many large mammals including puku and 

elephant. There is an endemic fish, Oreochromis rukwaensis, and crocodile 

also occur. It also supports several globally threatened bird species. 

Mount Rungwa lies on the north-western side of Lake Nyasa and includes 

a montane forest, extensive stands of bamboo, ericaceous heath and 

grassland. Large mammals have disappeared, but several small mammals 

inhabit the area. The area also supports several globally threatened species 

of birds. 

The Umalila Mountains lie to the north-east of Songwe River and consist of 

forest integrated with grassland. Large mammals have sadly disappeared, 

but several small mammals still inhabit the area, which also supports several 

globally threatened bird species. 

The Usangu Flats is a seasonally inundated floodplain that lies to the north 

of the Chimala escarpment. The natural vegetation varies from small areas 

of permanent swamp and waterside vegetation, to seasonal lakes and open 

grassland and thickets of Acacia seyal and Acacia kirkii thornbush. On the 

slightly higher ground Commiphora and Combretum woodlands dominate. 

The area supports many wildlife species including roan and sable antelope, 

Cape clawless otter, elephant, lion, leopard and wild dog. Black rhino used 

to occur in the area but they were extirpated during the late 1970’s. Several 

globally threatened bird species are to be found in the Usangu Flats. 

Extensive rice farming is using excessive amounts of water and threatening 

the existence of the Ihefu wetland which lies within the Usangu Flats. 

48

Morogoro Region 

Districts 

Kilombero, Kilosa, 

Morogoro Rural, 

Morogoro Urban, 

Mvomero, Ulanga 

Capital 

Morogoro 

Land area 

70,799 km 2 


1,753,362 


(1988-2002) 

2.4 % 

49



Morogoro Region has a climate with moderate temperature and rainfall. The 

average annual temperatures vary between 18º C to 30º C in the lowlands. 

Generally, the region experiences two major rainfall seasons, one with long, 

heavier rains between November and January and one with short rains 

between February and May. The average annual rainfall varies between 

600 mm and 1,800 mm. The eastern parts of the Uluguru mountains receive 

very high rainfall of up to 2,850 mm annually while the leeward sides of 

these mountains are generally dry, receiving rains of less than 600 mm per 

annum. 

Soils in the region vary according to topographical and ecological zones. In 

the mountainous and hilly areas the common types of soil found are mainly 

oxisols, which are generally low in nitrogen and phosphorus. Valleys and 

lowlands generally have alluvial soils, which are fertile in nature. Sandy and 

clay soils are common in woodlands and grasslands. 

The topography of the Morogoro Region is characterized by two remarkable 

natural features. First are the mountainous and hilly areas which include the 

Ukaguru mountains, and the Uluguru and Nguru mountain ranges. 

Others include Mahenge and Udzungwa mountain ranges, which extend to 

Njombe Highlands in the Iringa Region. These mountains form the eastern 

and southern part of the “Eastern Arc Mountains”, which extend from 

southern Kenya to southern Tanzania. The second feature that characterizes 

the region’s topography is the lowlands, especially the Kilombero valley and 

the northern parts of the region. Morogoro Region’s drainage is formed by 

many rivers that flow from highlands to lowlands in the valleys. The major 

rivers among others include Kilombero, Ruaha, Wami, Luwegu, Ruvu, 

Ngerengere, Mkata, Mkondoa and Mkindo. 



The main economic activities in the Morogoro Region include agriculture; 

forestry and forestry related activities, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, 

construction, livestock keeping, trade and commerce. Agriculture is by far 

the biggest. Maize, rice, sorghum, cassava, sweet potatoes and legumes / 

pulses are among the major food crops grown and sisal, sugarcane, cotton, 

coffee, sunflower, simsim, palm oil, cashew nuts, mangoes, coconuts and 

tobacco are the major cash crops. 

Other occupations that employ a significant number of the labour force 

include street vending, which has become the largest employer of the 

young dwellers in urban areas. Fishing and livestock are significant in some 

of the districts. 

50


The region supports a variety of vegetation from montane forest, miombo 

woodland to grasslands and open bushland. Wildlife species are 

concentrated in Selous Game Reserve, Mikumi National Park, Kilombero 

Nature Reserve and Udzungwa National Park. However, it has been well 

documented that species such as elephant do move between these 

protected areas, and other open areas away from human habitat still 

support some wildlife. 


protected area. It consists predominantly of miombo woodland, with 

considerable grassland along drainage lines and large areas of open 

Terminalia woodland in the north. Within the northern and eastern areas are 

several medium sized freshwater lakes and substantial seasonal swamps. 

Its rivers, hills, and plains are home to a large population of elephant, and a 

small population of black rhino has survived the onslaught from commercial 

poaching. The Selous supports the largest population of buffalo in Africa 

and is also a stronghold for wild dog. Other prominent game species include 

giraffe, sable, zebra, wildebeest, hippopotamus and crocodile. Over 450 

bird species have been recorded in the reserve. 

Mikumi National Park consists of floodplain, grassland, wooded savanna 

and hills covered with miombo. Common species include buffalo, eland, 

greater kudu, yellow baboon, sable antelope, hippopotamus, zebra, lion, 

wildebeest, impala, giraffe and elephant. More than 400 bird species have 

been recorded in the park. 

The Udzungwa Mountain Range forms a National Park of some 2,000 km 2 

astride both Morogoro and Iringa Regions. The Udzunga mountains form 

an important part of the Eastern Arc Mountains which are an estimated 

30 million years of age and support a high biodiversity including many 

endangered plant and animal species. No less than 96 endemic species 

of vertebrates have been found, including sunbirds, chameleons and 

bushbabies. It is estimated that the Eastern Arc also contains some 800 

endemic plant species. The Arc is recognised as one of the “bio-diversity 

hotspots” of the world. Among the most unique residents of the Udzungwas 

are the Kihansi spray toad, Sanje crested mangabay, the matundu galago 

and the Iringa red colobus. 



Mikumi, Udzungwa 

Game Reserves 

Selous 

Wildlife Management Areas Ukutu, Wami-Mbiki, Twatwata, 

Kidui-Mmbamba-Kilangali-Makuwili 

Game Controlled Areas Kilombero valley, Selous, 

Kilombero south 

Open Areas 

Dakawa, Mkaia, Mahenge (south), 

Mahenge (north), Fulua, Mwatisi 

Wildlife migration corridors Udzungwa-Mikumi, 

Udzungwa-Selous, 

Uzungwa Scarp-Kilombero NR 

(Mngeta), Uluguru North-South, 

Wami Mbiki-Handeni / Southern 

Masai Steppe, Wami Mbiki-Jukumu / 

Gonabis / Northern Selous, 

Wami Mbiki-Mikumi, 

Wami Mbiki-Saadani 

Important Bird Areas Kilombera Valley, Mikumi National Park, 

Nguru Mountains, Rubeho Mountains, 

Selous Game Reserve, Udzungwa Mountains, 

Udzungwa National Park, 

Ukaguru Mountains and Mlali Forest 

Reserve, Uluguru Mountains 

51






Bunduki, Chamanyani, Dindili, 

Disalasala, Diwale, Ihanga, Ikwamba, Image, 

Iwonde, Kalunga, Kanga, Kasanga, Kihiliri, 

Kilengwe, Kimboza, Kimboza, Kisi, 

Kitulanghalo, Kwangola, Ligamba, 

Lusunguru, Mabundi , Mtwange, Mafleta, 

Magadu, Magotwe, Mahenge Scarp, 

Mamboto, Mamboya, Masagati, Matundu, 

Mbogo, Milindo, Milindo Extension, Milonge, 

Mindu, Mkangadala, Mkindu, Mkulazi, 

Mkungwe, Mlarivira, Morogoro Fuel, Mselezi, 

Mtibwa, Muhulu, Mvuha, Mwanihana, Myoe, 

Nambiga, Nawenge, Ngalonga, Ngindo, 

Nguru South, Nguru ya Ndege, Njerera, North 

Mamiwa Kisara, Nyandiduma, Nyandira, 

Nyanganje, Pagale, Pala Mountan, 

Pangawe East, Pangawe West, Ruvu, Sali, 

Shikurufumi, Sourth Mamiwa Kisara, 

Talagwe, Tongeni River, Uluguru, 

Uluguru South, Uponera, Uzungwa Scarp, 

Vigoregore, Vigoza 

Dodoma, Igubike, Ihanga, Itembe, 

Itongoa / Kipuga, Itundufula, 

Iwungi, Kigunifugni, Mauza, Namwai, Ndefi, 

Nyandiduma, Salanga 

Kilombero 


Udzungwa-Mikumi wildlife corridor connects Udzungwa National Park with 

Mikumi National Park through two routes. Elephant are known to use this 

corridor. 

Udzungwa-Selous wildlife corridor connects Udzungwa National Park with 

Selous Game Reserve through two routes, namely the Nyanganje and Ruipa. 

The routes cross a mosaic of habitats, including riverine forest, woodland, 

scrub, degraded pasture and swamp. Elephant and buffalo make use of the 

Nyanganje route and some other animals are resident in the corridor. These 

include bushbuck, bushpig, leopard, puku and yellow baboon. The Ruipa 

route also facilitates the movement of elephant and buffalo. Other animals 

reportedly still found include aardvark, Angolan black and white colobus, 

bushbuck, porcupine, Harvey’s duiker, hippopotamus, leopard, lion, puku, 

spotted hyena, waterbuck and the Udzungwa-endemic Udzungwa red 

colobus. 

Udzungwa Scarp-Kilombero Nature Reserve (Mngeta) wildlife corridor 

links Udzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve to the united network of northern 

Udzungwa forest (protected as Udzungwa Mountain National Park 

and Kilombero Nature Reserve). The area is vegetated with grassland, 

shrubland, woodlands and forest. The blocks of moist forest contain the 

greatest amount of biodiversity in the Eastern Arc. It is one of the most 

important areas in Africa for primate conservation, and hosts endangered 

and endemic forest mammals, such as the Sanje mangabay, Udzungwa red 

colobus and Abbott’s duiker, as well as several other vertebrates. 

Uluguru North-South wildlife corridor links Uluguru North Forest Reserve 

with Uluguru South Forest Reserve. 

These bio-diverse forests support as many as 135 endemic species of 

plants, two endemic birds, six endemic amphibians, two endemic reptiles 

and one endemic mammal. 

The Wami Mbiki-Handeni / Southern Masai Steppe wildlife corridor links 

52

Wami Mbiki Wildlife Management Area with Turiani and Handeni. The 

corridor is forested and facilitates the movement of elephant and buffalo, 

whereas sable antelope are also known to occur therein. 

The Wami Mbiki-Jukumu / Gonabis / Northern Selous wildlife corridor 

connects the Wami Mbiki Wildlife Management Area with Selous Game 

Reserve. Local people report that buffalo, greater kudu, hartebeest, 

waterbuck and wild dog still make use of the corridor. 

The Wami Mbiki-Mikumi wildlife corridor connects the Wami Mbiki Wildlife 

Management Area with Mikumi National Park. The use and functionality of 

this corridor is not formally confirmed, but signs indicate that elephant and 

buffalo move along it intermittently. 

The Wami Mbiki-Saadani wildlife corridor connects the Wami Mbiki Wildlife 

Management Area with Saadani National Park. As with the Wami Mbiki- 

Mikumi corridor, there is a lack of documented evidence of the functionality 

of the Wami Mbiki-Saadani corridor, but signs indicate that elephant and 

buffalo frequent it. 

The Kilombero valley is where the Kilombero River flows north-east 

through a 35 km wide floodplain between the Udzungwa Mountains and 

the Mahenge Massif. The valley holds an extremely important population 

of puku antelope, which represent 75 % of the remaining population of 

this species. The area is also an important refuge for approximately 5,000 

elephant and large herds of buffalo. The river holds a healthy population of 

hippo and crocodile. The forest supports red colobus, nine endemic plant 

species, an endemic toad, Bufo reesi, and several globally threatened bird 

species. 

Nguru Mountains consist of a spectacular collection of peaks, cliff faces 

and forest covered slopes. Little information is known about the faunal 

diversity; however, an endemic chameleon has recently been collected in 

the area, along with several other endemic reptiles and amphibians. Several 

globally threatened bird species also inhabit the area. 

Rubeho Mountains form a dissected plateau in the centre of the Eastern 

Arc Mountains, where the chain skirts the western edge of Mikumi National 

Park and the Mkata Plain. The area supports dry montane forest along with 

some globally threatened bird species and significant numbers of elephant, 

buffalo, bushbuck, red duiker, and bushpig. 

The forest reserves in the Udzungwa Mountains support an array of plant 

and wildlife diversity including elephant and some globally threatened 

species of birds. 

Ukaguru Mountains and Mlali Forest Reserve are located on the raised 

plateau that lies in the rain shadow of the taller Uluguru Mountains. The 

climax vegetation is moist forest, but with a shorter canopy and less 

diversity than the montane forest closer to the coast. The giant lobelia, 

Lobelia sancta, and Peddi thulinii are endemic to the area, and several 

globally threatened bird species occur here. No large mammals occur in 

53



the area, however, elephant and buffalo were known to occur in the forests 

formerly. 

Uluguru Mountains rise abruptly out of the coastal plain at 300 m above sea 

level to a height of 2,638 m, some 170 km west of Dar es Salaam. Except 

for the wet grassland in Lukwangule Plateau in Uluguru South Forest 

Reserve, the range is characterized by many steep forested peaks. The 

Ulugurus are rich in plant life, with over 135 endemic plant species. Six of 

the 22 forest reptiles are endemic as are five of the forest amphibians. Two 

endemic shrews are known, along with species such as leopard, Zanzibar 

and mountain galagos, black and rufous elephant shrews, Abott’s duiker 

and some globally threatened bird species. 

54

Mtwara Region 

Districts 

Lulindi, Masasi, 

Mtwara Rural, 

Mtwara Urban, Nanyumbu, 

Newala, Tandahimba 

Capital 

Mtwara 

Land area 

16,707 km 2 


1,124,481 


(1988-2002) 

1.7 % 

55


Mtwara Region 


Mtwara Region borders the Lindi Region to the north, the Ruvuma region to 

the west, the Indian Ocean to the east and is separated from Mozambique 

by the Ruvuma River in the south. As to be expected, the amount of total 

annual precipitation tends to vary with altitude. Rains in Mtwara District 

vary from 935 to 1,160 mm in the hills and the plateau. The average annual 

rainfall is 893 mm at Masasi Mission and 1,001 mm at Newala. It also varies 

from 1,133 mm at Mtopwa to 832 mm at Lukwika Mission. Temperatures 

vary from 27º C as the highest monthly mean at Mtwara town on the coast 

in December, to 23º C in July. 

Topography-wise the region is divided into two halves. The coastal plain 

with its complexity of landforms and the basement plain dominated by the 

Makonde Plateau at 300 m to 400 m above sea level. It is generally low 

level with isolated rocky hills and steep riversides. The western half lying 

beyond the Makonde Plateau drains to the south through the tributaries of 

the Ruvuma River. The Maombi and Mbuo rivers drain most of the Makonde 

Plateau. 

The coastal sedimentary formation that extends approximately 125 km 

from the Indian Ocean to the edge of the Makonde Plateau of Newala 

produces deep, well-drained, sandy soils of low fertility and low moisture 

holding capacity. They are produced from sandstone. Some areas give rise 

to marine heavy clay soils or vertisoils. 

Further, coastal limestone produces red, well-drained, heavy textured 

soils. The areas to the west of the coastal sediments are of pre-cambrian 

basement rocks that consist of gneisses and granulites. Soils from this 

basement are variable. They are deep, well-drained, red clays to the north 

of Masasi town. These are the best agricultural soils in the region. South of 

Masasi, course-grained sandy soils are common. 


Mtwara, like almost all of Tanzania, is predominately agricultural with the 

main occupation of the inhabitants of the region being farming. About 92 % of 

the population is engaged in agriculture, most of the rest engage in other 

rural activities like fishing, beekeeping and small-scale industries. Major 

food crops include cassava, millet and sorghum. Only recently has maize 

gained popularity. Cashew nuts are the predominant cash crop in the region, 

others are groundnuts and simsim. Livestock keeping is not traditional 

among the region’s population; hence contribution of this sector to the 

economy is insignificant. Prospects for the mining industry in the region 

are considerable. Various minerals have been identified and exploited on 

a small scale. Fishing in the region has been carried out along this coast 

entirely at a traditional subsistence level. To some extent there have been 

fishing activities along the Ruvuma River, in the inland lakes and in some 

ponds constructed by individual villages. 

Gains to the regional economy through tourist hunting, game viewing and 

photographic tourism is insignificant. 


The area is dominated by miombo woodlands in the interior and coastal and 

mangrove forests along the coastline. Away from the villages and especially 

near game reserves and large rivers, typical miombo woodland fauna can still be 

found. This includes elephant, buffalo, hippo, sable, wild dog, lion and leopard. 

The Msanjesi and Lukwika-Lumesule Game Reserves themselves contain a 

reasonable number of wild animals including elephant, lion, leopard, greater 

kudu, zebra, waterbuck, sable antelope, wildebeest, impala, buffalo, wild dog, 

warthog and bushpig. Some hippo and crocodile still live in the Ruvuma River. 

Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park consists of mangroves, sand 

dunes, sea, coastal forest and river. The coral reef supports a rich diversity 

of species including more than 400 fish species. 

56


Game Reserves 

Msanjesi, Lukwika Lumesule 

Wildlife migration corridors Eastern Selous-Niassa 

Important Bird Areas Mnazi Bay, Mtwara District Coastal Forests, 

Newala District Coastal Forests 

National Forest Reserves Chilangala, Kambona, Liteho, Mahuta, 

Makonde Scarp, Masasi, Mbangala, Mchonda, 

Nagaga, Naliendele, Namikupa, Ndechela, Ziwani 

District Forest Reserves Chilangala, Kambona, Liteho, Mahuta, 

Mkunya River (proposed), Mtiniko (proposed), 

Mtuli Hinji (proposed), Namikupa, Ndechela 

Other Forest Reserves Beach area Utilization Zone, Chalangata, 

Chemi chem, Chimbuko, Chipite, Dinyeke, 

Libobe, Mabeti, Malala, 

Mangrove Management Project, Mchangani, 

Mchinji, Michenjele, Mikumbi, Mivanga, 

Miyuyu, Mkongi, Mkonjowono, Mkudumba, 

Mtipitip, Namindondi chini, Nandimba, 

Naputa shuleni, Naputa sokoni, Retehu, 

Ulodaleo 

Marine Protected Area Mnazi Bay Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park 


The Eastern Selous-Niassa wildlife corridor links Selous Game Reserve 

with Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique. Elephants are the primary 

users of the corridor, but it also supports some other more resident species 

such as sable, buffalo, yellow baboon, hyena, wild dog, lion and leopard. 

Mtwara District Coastal Forests are located in south-eastern Tanzania 

bordering the Indian Ocean and Mozambique. It is unlikely that large 

mammals still make use of the area, but the forests do support numerous 

rare plants and small animals and several species of globally threatened 

birds. 

Newala District Coastal Forests cover most of the elevated Makonde 

Plateau, which is in Mtwara District. Large mammals are no longer present, 

but the forests still contain a number of rare plant species and small animals 

and several globally threatened bird species. 

57


Mwanza Region 

Mwanza Region 

Districts 

Geita, Ilemela, Kwimba, 

Magu, Misungwi, 

Nyamagana, 

Sengerema, Ukerewe 

Capital 

Mwanza 

Land area 

19,592 km 2 


2,929,644 


(1988-2002) 

3.2 % 

58


Mwanza Region lies in the northern part of Tanzania. The average annual 

rainfall is about 930 mm, varying from 1,800 mm in the western parts of 

Ukerewe Island to 750 mm in the southern and south eastern parts of the 

region. The soils can be classified into three major groups: sandy soils 

derived from granite; red loams derived from limestone; and black clays. 


The region has wooded grasslands, miombo woodlands and open 

grasslands, with papyrus around the lakeshore. However, very little 

intact natural vegetation communities still exist in the region, with only 

approximately 10 % forest cover remaining. Consequently, very little wildlife 

remains. However, two national parks have been established, namely 

Rubondo Island National Park and Saanane Island National Park. 

Rubondo Island National Park and Saanane Island National Park consist 

of humid forest, lakeside papyrus beds and open grassland. The islands 

support yellow-spotted otter, hippopotamus, vervet monkey, genet, a few 

mongoose species and bushbuck. The islands also support some resident 

and migratory bird species. 


The main economic activities carried out by Mwanza Region’s population 

are agricultural production, livestock keeping and to a large extent, fishing. 

There is no commercial farming in the region. Subsistence farming is the 

main form of farming. Food crop production is carried out on a family basis 

aimed at producing food to meet their own requirements. Because of the 

prevailing unfavourable weather, adverse soil conditions and scarcity of 

land to meet family needs, the region is often unable to feed itself. Food has 

to be imported from other regions as surplus production realised in Geita 

and some parts of Sengerema fail to bridge the food gap. 

Gold and diamond mining also take place in the Mwanza Region. 

59




Saanane, Rubondo 

Game Controlled Areas Chabula Marsh, Maswa 

Open Areas 

Mwamalae, Buhindi, Mabuki Ranch, 

Geita Forest, Lubili, Nunduru, 

Important Bird Areas Lake Victoria-Bunda Bay, 

Lake Victoria-Mwanza Gulf, 

Rubondo National Park 

National Forest Reserves Buhindi, Bujingwa, Geita, Ibindo, Igwata, 

Ikuru, Ilongafipa, Ishindankwe, Ito, Kabingo, 

Kakora, Luwondo, Maisome, Malenge, 

Malya Stock Farm, Mamani, Mhalo, Misso, 

Mkigagi, Mwamakelemu, Mwamayombo, 

Mwienzi, Nengoma, Ruamagaza, Ruande, 

Rubya, Sayaka, Sima, Sinde, Sisu, Talaga 

Other Forest Reserves Bujashi (plantations), Bujinwa, Bukamila, 

Bundiric (plantations), Ibondo, Ikira, 

Ilongafipa, Itira, Kabingo, 

Kachwamba, Kakora, Kasala, Kasenga, 

Kisambe (plantations), Malenga, Mamani, 

Mhalo, Mienza, Mirambi (plantations), 

Mkigagi, Mkungo, Mukigagi, Mwamayombo, 

Negoma, Nyambogo, Nyamlama, 

Nyangiri (plantations), Ruande, 

Sawenge (plantations), Sayaka, Sima, 

Sinde Hill, Sisu, Talaga 

Mwanza Region 


Bunda Bay and Mwanza Gulf lie on the shores of Lake Victoria. The area 

provides feeding and breeding habitat for many birds including several 

globally threatened species such as the shoebill and the papyrus gonolek. 

60

Pwani Region (coast) 

Districts 

Bagamoyo, Kibaha, 

Kisarawe, Mafia, Mkuranga, 

Rufiji 

Capital 

Kibaha 

Land area 

32,047 km 2 


885,017 


(1988-2002) 

2.4 % 

61


Pwani Region 


Pwani, or the Coastal Region is located in the east part of Tanzania. 

According to meteorological statistics the average temperature for the 

region is about 28º C. The region experiences an annual rainfall ranging 

from 800 to 1,000 mm. 

The coastal belt which rises from 0 to 100 m above sea level, is covered by sandy 

loam soils and heavy clay waterlogged soil. The highland plateau, which rises 

from 100 to 480 m above sea level is dominated by sandy loam and sandy clay. 

The rivers in the region drain into the Indian Ocean; these include the Rufiji 

River, Wami River and Ruvu River. 


About 75 % of the regional economy comes from the agricultural sector. 

The sector comprises many smallholder farmers, very few of whom practice 

improved farming. As a result, yield per hectare is relatively low. 

More food crops such as rice, maize, cassava, pulses and legumes are 

grown than cash crops. The same crops are also used as source of income 

but the leading ones are coconuts, cashew nuts, pineapples, mangoes and 

other tropical fruits. 

Apart from agriculture, livestock also contributes significantly to the regional 

economy. The common livestock are local traditional Zebu breed cattle, 

goats and sheep. However, improved dairy cattle also provide a source of 

income, especially in Kibaha District. Besides livestock, forestry products 

contribute a significant amount to the economy. The forestry products traded 

include timber, which is exploited in Rufiji and Mkuranga districts, and honey 

and wax. Furthermore, the fishing industry which is active in Mafia, Rufiji, 

Bagamoyo and Mkuranga districts is another important contributor to the 

regional economy. The wildlife sector, specifically Selous Game Reserve in 

Kisarawe and Mkuranga, produces a substantial amount of income and, at 

a small scale, salt mining at Bagamoyo adds to the economy. 


The area is dominated by miombo woodlands in the interior and coastal and 

mangrove forests along the coastline. Away from the villages and especially 

near the Selous Game Reserve boundary, Saadani National Park boundary 

and near large rivers, typical miombo and savanna woodland fauna can be 

found. This includes elephant, buffalo, hippo, sable, wild dog, lion and leopard. 


protected area. It is predominantly miombo woodland with considerable 

grassland along drainage lines and large areas of open Terminalia woodland 

in the north. Within the northern and eastern areas are several medium 

sized freshwater lakes and substantial seasonal swamps. Its rivers, hills, 

and plains are home to significant elephant populations, and some of the 

last black rhino left in the region. The Selous supports the largest population 

of buffalo in Africa and is a stronghold for wild dog. Other species, which 

occur in good numbers, include buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, sable antelope, 

eland, giraffe, hippopotamus and crocodile. Over 450 bird species have 

been recorded in the reserve. 

62

Saadani National Park consists of coast, river, forest and savanna. Common 

species found include giraffe, buffalo, warthog, waterbuck, reedbuck, 

hartebeest, wildebeest, red duiker, greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, 

yellow baboon, vervet monkey, elephant, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, 

black-backed jackal, hippopotamus and crocodile. 

The region also has a marine park, known as Mafia Island Marine Park. 

It is made up of coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, inter-tidal flats 

and coastal forest. Terrestrial species to be found include Comores lesser 

flying fox, duiker, bushpig, mongoose and elephant shrew. Marine life 

includes dugong, gold-striped fusilier, cigar wrasse, queen coris, goldbar 

wrasse, grouper, barracuda, rainbow runner, black-spotted ribbontail ray, 

blue-spotted ribbontail ray, eagle ray, manta ray, yellowfin tuna, kingfish, 

mackerel, bonito, cobia, reef shark, green turtle and hawksbill turtle. 




Game Reserves 

Saadani 

Selous, Pande 

Wildlife Management Areas Wami-Mbiki, Msungura, Mungata, 

Open Areas 





Marine Protected Area 

Rufiji (Juhiwangumwa) 

Makurunge 

Wami Mbiki-Saadani 

Bagamoyo District Coastal Forests, 

Kisarawe District Coastal Forests, 

Mafia Island, Rufiji Delta, 

Rufiji District Coastal Forests, 

Selous Game Reserve 

Gwami, Iyondo, Katundu, Kazimzumbwi, 

Kikale, Kikoka, Kingoma, Kipo, Marenda, 

Masangania, Mchungu, Mohoro, 

Mohoro River, Mpanga, Mtanza, Mtita, 

Namakutwa, Ngulakula, Nyamyete, 

Nyumburuni, Pongwe, Pugu, Ruhoi, Ruvu 

North, Ruvu South, Simbo, Tambulu, Utete, 

Uzigua, Vikindu, Zoraninge 

Kikole, Pongwe 

Mafia Island Marine Park 


Wami Mbiki-Saadani wildlife corridor connects Wami Mbiki Wildlife 

Management Area with Saadani National Park. Although there is no verified 

documented evidence, signs indicate that elephant and buffalo move along 

this corridor. 

Bagamoyo District Coastal Forests include the evergreen Zaraninge Forest 

63


Pwani Region 

is also used by large mammals moving in and out of Selous Game Reserve. 

Until recently this included black rhino, which sadly are now believed to 

have been extirpated. 

on the Kiono Plateau. This forest supports several rare and endemic species, 

including black and rufous elephant shrew, Zanzibar galago and the lesser 

pouched rat. The forest also still supports some elephant, leopard and 

several species of globally threatened birds. 

Kisarawe District Coastal Forest is located on a range of low hills running 

south-west from Dar es Salaam to the border of the Selous Game Reserve. 

The evergreen forests support various small fauna and several globally 

threatened bird species. A population of elephant is associated with the 

Ruvu South Forest Reserve and is thought to possibly move between this 

site and the northern parts of the Selous Game Reserve. 

Rufiji District Coastal Forest is located in the low-lying land of the Rufiji 

Delta. The area contains woodland and seasonal wetlands and supports a 

few endemic plant species, plus a probably endemic shrew and one of the 

rare bushbabies, which was only recently described in Tanzania. The area 

64

Rukwa Region 

Districts 

Mpansa, Nkansi, 

Sumbawanga Rural, 

Sumbawanga Urban 

Capital 

Sumbawanga 

Land area 

68,635 km 2 


1,136,354 


(1988-2002) 

3.6 % 

65



Rukwa Region lies in the remote south-western border area of Tanzania 

between Lake Tanganyika and Lake Rukwa. The climate of the region varies 

from dry sub humid in the extreme north-west and south-west to semi arid 

in the central Ufipa plateau and Rukwa valley. The annual rainfall ranges 

from 1,000 to 1,300 mm in the far north-west and south-west to between 

800 and 900 mm in the Rukwa valley. The moderate climate has a mean 

annual maximum temperature of 24 - 27º C and a minimum of 13 - 16º C. 


The Rukwa Region is predominantly rural and the majority of its residents 

are actively engaged in subsistence agricultural farming and livestock 

rearing. The staple food crops are maize, finger millet, beans and cassava, 

with some other crops grown such as wheat, rice and sorghum. 


The Katumba plain covers a large section of the region and supports 

miombo woodland. It is notorious for its abundance of tsetse fly. The Ufipa 

plateau is covered in grassland while the Rukwa valley supports lakes and 

swamps. The area only has one National Park. Katavi National Park consists 

of miombo woodland, a river system, lakes and floodplains. Lakes Chala 

and Chada and the other springs and rivers whose waters feed into Lake 

Rukwa form a unique landscape and ideal habitat for many wildlife species. 

Common species to be seen include eland, sable and roan antelopes, 

elephant, zebra, buffalo, topi, lion, leopard, hippopotamus and crocodile. 

Much wildlife still exists outside the formally protected areas and there are 

various known migration corridor routes used by animals in the region. 



Katavi 

Game Reserves 

Ugalla, Rukwa-Lukwati 

Wildlife Management Areas Ubende, Mpimbwe, Kizi 

Game Controlled Areas 

Open Areas 





Inyonga E&W, Msima, Mlele, Rungwa 

Ugalla / Niensi 

Katavi-Mahale, Katavi-Rungwe, Loazi-Lwafi 

Katavi National Park, Lake Rukwa, 

Ufipa Plateau, Ugalla Game Reserve 

Chala Hills, Ilemba, Kalambo Falls, 

Kalambo River, Kubungu, Loasi Falls, 

Lyambo Hills, Mhangalla, Mkamba, 

Mpanda North East, Msaginia, Mulele Hills, 

Nyonga, Rungwa River, Tongwe East, 

Sumbawanga, Ugalla River 

Ndelemvi, Nkamba, Tongwe 

Rukwa Region 

66

waterbuck, zebra and associated carnivore species such as lion and 

leopard. 

Lake Rukwa lies within the Western Rift Valley and usually supports an 

impressive wetland of papyrus and Phragmities mauritianus at the northern 

end of the lake. The lake supports many large mammals including puku 

and elephant. There is an endemic fish, Oreochromis rukwaensis, and many 

crocodile. It also supports several species of globally threatened birds. 


Katavi-Mahale wildlife corridor consists of various routes from Ugalla, 

Masito, Ntakata Forest, Mahale Mountain National Park and Katavi National 

Park, which are predominantly used by elephant. 

Katavi-Rungwa wildlife corridor connects Rukwa Game Reserve with 

Rungwa Game Reserve. The large uninhabited miombo woodland lying 

between these two protected areas supports the movement of many 

elephants and black rhino have also been seen in this area. Movement of 

other animals is unknown but it is likely that some non-migratory herbivores 

and carnivores reside in the corridor. 

The Loazi-Lwafi corridor connects Kalambo Forest Reserve with Loasi 

Forest Reserve and Ntantwa with Lwafi. A range of savanna and gallery 

forest species can be found in this corridor, including the chimpanzee. 

Large mammals include bush duiker, bushbuck, hartebeest, lesser kudu, 

67


Ruvuma Region 

Ruvuma Region 

Districts 

Mbinga, Songea, 

Namtumbo, Tunduru 

Capital 

Songea 

Land area 

63,498 km 2 


1,113,715 


(1988-2002) 

2.5 % 

68


The Ruvuma River forms the southern boundary, Lake Nyasa forms the 

western boundary, and the Selous Game Reserve covers the northern 

extremity of the Ruvuma Region. The north-western part is hilly while 

the area towards the Ruvuma River is flat to slightly undulated. Several 

isolated hills and prominent rocky outcrops (inselbergs) are also present. 

The altitude ranges from 200 m to 1,500 m above sea level. The Ruvuma 

Region has a mild temperature, averaging 23º C depending on altitude 

and season. The months of June, July and August are fairly chilly with the 

temperatures dropping to 13º C particularly within the areas surrounding 

Matengo Highlands in Mbinga District. October and November are the 

hottest months, with an average temperature of 30º C. The rainfall pattern 

is monomodal. The rainy season begins in November and ends in May. 

Rainfall ranges from 800 to 1,800 mm per year. 

The soils are generally very sandy and leached. Three drainage basins exist. 

In the west the rivers drain into Lake Nyasa, in the southern areas they drain 

into the Ruvuma River, and those in the north drain into the Rufiji River. 


The major economic activity is agriculture, with very traditional shifting 

cultivation still being undertaken. 

Cassava, rice, maize and beans are the major food crops. Cashew is a major 

cash crop in the area and tobacco farming is on the increase. Livestock 

keeping is still small-scale. Cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and chicken are kept. 

Small-scale mining for gemstones and fishing occurs along the larger rivers 

such as the Ruvuma and at Lake Nyassa. A large scale uranium mine is due 

to start imminently in the northern part of Namtumbo District. 


The area is dominated by miombo woodlands, interrupted by wetlands, 

open woodland and riparian forest. There are no national parks, but the 

southern part of the Selous Game Reserve is in the region. 

The Selous Game Reserve is a World Heritage Site and is Africa’s largest 

protected area. It is predominantly miombo woodland with considerable 

grassland along drainage lines and large areas of open Terminalia 

woodland in the north. The Selous’ rivers, hills, and plains are home to 

substantial elephant populations, and a few black rhino remain. The Selous 

Game Reserve supports the largest population of buffalo in Africa and is a 

stronghold for wild dog. Other well known species include sable antelope, 

zebra, Nyasa wildebeest, hippopotamus and crocodile. Over 450 bird 

species have been recorded in the reserve. 

Away from the villages and especially near the Selous Game Reserve 

boundary and near large rivers, typical miombo woodland fauna can be 

found. This includes elephant, buffalo, hippo, sable, wild dog, lion, leopard 

and Nyasa wildebeest. Species such as elephant have also been recorded 

to move from Selous Game Reserve to as far as the Niassa National Reserve 

in Mozambique. 

69


Ruvuma Region 



Game Reserves 

Selous, Liparamba, Muhuwesi, Mwambesi 

Wildlife Management Areas Mbarang’andu, Chingole, Kimbanda, 

Kisungule, Nalika, Litumbandyosi 

Game Controlled Areas Muhesi, Mwambesi, Sasawara, Nandembo 

Open Areas 

Ngapa, Kalulu, Tingilafu, Mbuyuni, 

Geze Mazoa 

Wildlife migration corridors Selous-Niassa 

Important Bird Areas Selous Game Reserve 

National Forest Reserves Gumbiro, Liwiri Kiteza, Luhekei, Maposeni, 

Matogoro, Matogoro East, Muhuwesi, 

Mwambesi, Nandembo, 

North East Undendeule, Sasawara, 

Songea Fuel, Wino 

Other Forest Reserves Kigonsera, Kilangalanga, Kumbara, 

Lihanje, Lipembe, Luhimbalilo, Maposeni, 

Mpapa, Mputa, Naikese, Ndengu, 

Ruhuji / Ifinga, Suluti, Ungano 


The western Selous-Niassa wildlife corridor (which has been established 

through the declaration of five adjoining Wildlife Management Areas) 

forms an important ecological linkage between Selous Game Reserve in 

Tanzania and Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique. Collectively they 

form Africa’s largest TransBoundary Conservation Area, covering an area 

of approximately 154,000 km 2 . Elephant have been documented to move 

along the corridor, and many of the typical miombo species are resident in 

the corridor area, including a large population of wild dog. 

70

Shinyanga Region 

Districts 

Bariadi, Kumbe, Kahama, 

Kishapu, Maswa, Meatu 

Shinyanga Rural, 

Shinyanga Urban 

Capital 

Shinyanga 

Land area 

50,781 km 2 


2,796,630 


(1988-2002) 

3.3 % 

71


Shinyanga Region 


Despite recent mining activities started in the area, agriculture has 

continued to dominate the livelihood and economic performance of the 

region. Agriculture is dominated by peasantry farming. Main cash crops are 

cotton and tobacco while the main food crops are maize, sorghum, rice, 

sweet potatoes, millet and cassava. Shinyanga has the largest planted area 

of maize and second largest area for rice paddy and sorghum compared 

with other regions in Tanzania. Besides farming, livestock keeping is also a 

major activity. Cattle, goats and sheep are the major domesticated animals. 

Modern dairy farming and poultry keeping are confined to urban centres. 

Mining and industrial activities also play a significant role in the economy. 

Industrial activities mostly include cotton ginning, cotton seed oil extraction, 

milling and small scale industries. 


Shinyanga Region is located in northern Tanzania. It has a tropical climate 

with clearly distinguishable rainy and dry seasons. The average temperature 

for the region is about 28º C. The rainfall pattern is bimodal and it ranges 

from about 600 to 900 mm per year. 

The topography of Shinyanga is characterized by flat, gently undulating 

plains covered with low sparse vegetation. The eastern part of the region is 

dominated by heavy black clay soils with areas of red loam and sandy soil. 

The rivers in the south-western parts of the region flow towards Lake 

Tanganyika. In the eastern parts the waters flow to an internal drainage 

basin and end up in Lake Eyasi, which has no outlet. Rivers in Kahama 

District, with the exception of its eastern part, drain into the Malagarasi 

River basin which has a very low gradient. Consequently, this area supports 

large marshy areas. 

72


The north-western and north-eastern parts of the region are covered by 

natural forests which are mainly miombo woodland. A wide variety of 

wildlife can be found within these conservation areas, such as hippo, lion, 

zebra, buffalo, wild dog, bushbuck, impala, giraffe, wildebeest and baboon. 

The Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site. The park occupies 

a vast area of grasslands and woodlands and is home to a diverse range 

of wildlife. It contains the greatest and most spectacular concentration of 

plains game animals in Africa. The Serengeti supports approximately 1.7 

million wildebeest, 3,000 lion, a few black rhino and various other typical 

plains and savanna species. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded 

in the park. 


Natural World Heritage Sites Serengeti National Park 


Game Reserves 

Wildlife Ranch 

Serengeti 

Kigosi, Maswa 

Mwiba Wildlife Ranch 

Wildlife Management Areas Makao (Juhiwapoma) 





Burigi-Moyowosi/Kigosi 

Lake Kitangiri, Maswa Game Reserve, 

Moyowosi-Kigosi Game Reserve, 

Serengeti National Park 

Buyange, Buyoga, Kahama Dam, Lubaga, 

Manongho, Mbogwe Bukombe, Mkamba, 

Mkweni Hill, Muhunze, Mwalugulu, 

Mwamapalala, Mwamapuli, Mwangilye Hill, 

Mwantini Hill, Mwanzogisengi, Mwatunge, 

Ngongwa Busangi, Nikonga River, Nindo, 

Nyamilanga Hill, Runzewe, Sola, Sola Dam, 

Ukune, Ushetu Ubagwe, Usumbwa 

Mpunze, Nindo, Runzewe, Ukambe, Uyovu 


Burigi-Moyowosi / Kigosi wildlife corridor runs from Moyowosi Game 

Reserve and Kigosi Game Reserve up north to Kimisi Game Reserve, Burigi 

Game Reserve and Biharamulo Game Reserve. The area contains similar 

species to those in the Burigi-Akagera wildlife corridor in Kagera Region. 

73


Singida Region 


Districts 

Iramba, Manyoni, 

Singida Rural, 

Singida Urban 

Capital 

Singida 

Land area 

49,341 km 2 


1,086,748 


(1988-2002) 

2.3 % 

74


Singida Region is located in central Tanzania. A large part of Singida is 

arid, and the rainfall quantity decreases from the north to the south of the 

region. The average rainfall ranges between 500 and 800 mm per year. 

Temperatures in the region range between 15º C and 30º C depending on 

season and altitude. 

Singida occupies the northern part of the central plateau. Topographically, 

the landscape drops from east to west to the rift valley and westward to the 

Wembere Depression. A large plateau with an average elevation of 1,000 m 

extends from the centre towards the south and south-west of Singida town, 

while in the north-west of the region the Iramba plateau rises to an elevation 

of about 1,500 m above sea level. The region has a series of valleys and 

geologically it consists of granite batholith rocks, peneplains and volcanic 

plateaus comprising of fertile clay loamy soils on the higher areas and sandy 

clay loams to sandy pebbly surface material down the catena. 

There are five main rivers, namely Wamba, Msuguluda, Heka, Mponda and 

Ndurumo. All are seasonal except the Ndurumo. The Ndurumo catchment 

discharges into Lake Kitangiri toward the north-west, the Wamba / 

Msugulunda catchment discharges into the Wembere Swamps which are 

in the west of the region, and Maduma / Msemembo catchment discharges 

into the Bahi Swamps in the south-east. 


The economy of Singida is predominately rural, with the majority of the 

population engaging in subsistence land-based production. The main 

productive sectors in the region are agriculture, livestock, natural resources, 

mining, industry and trade. As with almost all regions in Tanzania, agriculture 

is the major occupation. The main food crops are maize, millet, finger millet, 

sorghum, rice, cassava and sweet potatoes, while sunflower, cotton, tobacco, 

wheat, beans, groundnuts, peas and onions are the main cash crops. 


Miombo woodlands occur in the central plateau and bushland and thicket 

in the southern part of the region. However, patches of saline barren lands, 

tall grasses and seasonal waterlogged grasslands also exist. 

The main protected areas in the region are Rungwa-Kizigo Game Reserve 

and Muhesi Game Reserve, which are part of the Ruaha National Park- 

Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi Game Reserve ecosystem. This is the second 

largest wildlife area in Tanzania after the Selous Game Reserve. Most of 

Muhesi and Kizigo is covered with Miombo woodland, interspersed with 

open plains, rocky outcrops, scattered waterholes, springs and riverine 

valleys. 

Muhesi and Kizigo together form one big area of about 8,500 km 2 . Eland, 

roan, lion, leopard, kongoni, greater kudu and sable are plentiful and the 

area also contains a seemingly healthy wild dog population. 

75



Game Reserves 

Muhesi, Rungwa-Kizigo 

Open Areas 




Chaya, Wembere 

Lake Balangida Lelu, Lake Kitangiri, 

Singida Lakes, Steppe Wembere 

Rungwe 

Mgori, Mlilii, Minyuhe 


mammals still inhabit the area, however there are records of some elephant 

still remaining. 

The Singida lakes are typical Rift Valley lakes and lie on the northern and 

southern side of Singida town. A few large mammals still make use of these 

lakes, including elephant. The lake also supports several globally threatened 

bird species. 

Where the Wembere River flows through the Wembere Steppe it forms a 

floodplain that consists of open grassland intersected by drainage lines on 

black cotton soils. Stands of Acacia seyal and Acacia drepanolobium grow 

on the edge of the plain. The area previously supported large numbers of 

ungulates and other large mammals but poaching over the last 30 to 40 

years has reduced these considerably. However, elephant still make use of 

the area, as do several species of globally threatened birds. 


Lake Balangida Lelu lies along the bottom of the south-eastern escarpment 

of the Mbulu Highlands and about 50 km north-east of Singida town. The 

short grass along the western shoreline merges into Acacia tortilis woodland 

that gives way to miombo woodland on the escarpment. Low densities 

of large mammals still occur, including elephant, and several globally 

threatened bird species also make use of the area. 

Lake Kitangiri is a depression along the Wembere River at the extreme 

western end of the Mbulu Highlands and north of the small town of Sekenke. 

The eastern shoreline is very gentle, exposing much mud, short vegetation 

and shallow water favoured by a diverse variety of birds. Not many large 

76

Tabora Region 

Districts 

Igunga, Nzega, Sikonge, 

Uyui, Tabora Urban, 

Urambo 

Capital 

Tabora 

Land area 

76,151 km 2 


1,710,465 


(1988-2002) 

3.6 % 

77


Tabora Region 


Tabora Region is located in mid-western Tanzania on the central plateau. 

The south-west and north-central portions of the region are divided by 

a watershed which runs from east to west. From the watershed, gently 

rolling country is bisected by broad but poorly defined drainage lines, which 

lead to the Ugalla River in the south-west and the Igombe and later the 

Malagarasi River and Lake Sagara which form the western boundary of 

the region. In the north-east, the topography is better defined but again 

the actual drainage line drains into Wembere River and its tributaries and 

eventually into Lake Kitangiri. Most of the region lies at altitudes of between 

1,000 and 1,500 m with only two small areas in the north-west and southeast 

rising up to 1,800 m above sea level. 

Tabora has a warm climate with temperatures reaching their peak in 

September and October, just before the onset of the rainy season. The daily 

mean temperature is around 23º C. There is a slightly cooler period from 

May to July, marked by the onset of dry winds, which continue until October. 

Traditionally, the rainy season is monomodal and lasts from October to April 

with a short dry spell between January and February. In the west the rainfall 

totals over 1,000 mm, while in the east it drops to 700 mm or less. 

Soils vary widely, ranging from sandy loams in the south, central and west 

to heavy (black / dark brown) soils in poorly drained areas in the north of 

the region. 

food crop, is mostly aimed at meeting the family’s own food requirements. 

Tobacco and cotton are the major cash crops. Livestock keeping is the 

second most predominant economic activity which, if properly and sustainably 

exploited, can contribute more significantly to the regional economy. The cattle 

population is made up of indigenous breeds and is kept as evidence of personal 

wealth and prestige, in a more traditional rather than financially astute way. The 

natural forests, which provide high quality hardwood for timber and fuelwood 

are also a source of beekeeping for honey, beeswax, and wildlife. The potential 

contribution of fishing and fish production to the economy is not fully exploited. 

Fishing activities are mainly confined to Lake Sagara and Ugalla River. 

Industries, trade and mining activities are carried out on a small scale, although 

the potential of commercial gold mining is currently under exploration. 


The main economic activities of Tabora Region are agricultural production 

and livestock keeping. About 90 % of the population is engaged in agriculture 

and livestock keeping, apart from other activities like beekeeping, fishing and 

lumbering. The region is estimated to have 2.4 million ha of potentially cultivable 

land but less than 20 % of it is under cultivation. Subsistence farming is the main 

form of farming. Food crop production, of which maize is the leading staple 

78


The natural vegetation of the Tabora Region is woodland, primarily miombo 

woodland in the rolling central plateau and Acacia-Combretum woodland 

and bushland thicket in the north and eastern parts. 

Many of the inhabited areas of Tabora still support wildlife, with the exception 

of Nzega District. The main species present include elephant, buffalo, 

waterbuck, eland, giraffe, impala, roan and sable antelopes, warthog, hippo 

and many bird species. 

Sections of Ugalla and Kigosi Game Reserves fall within this region. Ugalla 

Game Reserve is located in the southern part of Urambo. The reserve has 

vast grazing land, bush and forest land and is heavily infested by tsetse 

flies, which eliminate most human habitation and limit the introduction of 

domesticated animals. Ugalla and Kigosi Game Reserves form a vast and 

complex floodplain wetland in the basin of the Malagarasi River. This area 

is one of the few places where Sitatunga, an antelope species adapted for 

life in wetlands, still occur. 


Game Reserves 

Ugalla, Kigosi 

Wildlife Management Areas Uyumbu (Uwima), Ipole (Juhiwi), 

Mpanda (Ubende), 

Mpanda (Mpimbwe), 

Mpanda (Kamsisi), 

Igombe / Sagara (Urambo) 

Game Controlled Areas Igombe, Ipembe Mpazi, Itulu, 

Luganzo, Nyahua, Nyonga E 

Open Areas 

Igombe Dam, Igombe, Kigosi, 

Luganzo, Nyonga, Pembampazi, 

Rungwe River, Ugunda, Wala, 

Wembere South, Wembere Wetlands 



Kigosi Game Reserve, 

Wembere Steppe 

Goweko, Igombe Dam, Igombe 

River, Ilomero Hill, Itobo Dam, Itulu Hill, 

Kaghongho, Kantu, Mpanda Line, 

Mpembapazi, Mwakarundi, Mwakulu, 

Mwanhala, Ngogwa, Ngukumo, 

Nyahua Mbuga, Puge North, Puge South, 

Sikonge, Simbo, Swangala, Uduka, 

Ugalla North, Ugunda, Ulyankulu, 

Unyambiu Hill, Unyumbui South, Uruma, 

Uyui Kigwa Rubuga, Walla River, Ziba 


Where the Wembere River flows through the Wembere Steppe it forms a 

floodplain that consists of open grassland intersected by drainage lines in 

black cotton soil. Stands of Acacia seyal and Acacia drepanolobium grow 

on the edge of the plain. The area previously supported large numbers of 

ungulates and other large mammals but poaching over the last 30 to 40 

years has reduced these considerably. However, elephant still make use of 

the area, along with several globally threatened bird species. 

79


Tanga Region 

Tanga Region 

Districts 

Handeni, Kilindi, Korogwe, 

Lushoto, Muheza, Mkinga, 

Pangani, Tanga 

Capital 

Tanga 

Land area 

26,808 km 2 


1,636,280 


(1988-2002) 

1.8 % 

80


The Tanga Region is located in the north-eastern corner of Tanzania. 

The region experiences a moderate temperature and rainfall climate. The 

average annual daily maximum temperatures vary between 23º C in the 

highlands and 32º C in the lowland areas. The warm season normally 

runs from October to February. The average annual rainfall varies between 

200 and 2,000 mm. However, the average annual rainfall varies from year 

to year and between ecological zones. The coastal plains experience 

moderate high annual rainfall of 800 to 1,400 mm, while the dry plains of 

Handeni, Kilindi and Korogwe districts receive low rainfall ranging from 

200 to 600 mm annually. High altitude areas experience high annual rainfall 

ranging between 800 and 2,000 mm. 

The rainfall is bimodal, with the long rains period between March and May 

and short rains period between October and December. 

The topography of Tanga is characterized by two markedly different natural 

features. Its coastal lowlands are located between sea level and 150 m, with 

varying degrees of soil texture and fertility. A mountainous area, it includes 

the Usambara Mountains, Amani and Nguru mountain ranges located 

between 1,000 m and 2,400 m above sea level. Tanga’s natural drainage 

system is based on a few rivers and streams that flow from the highlands 

down to the lowlands and into the Indian Ocean. Major rivers include the 

Pangani, Mkomazi, Soni, Lwengera, Umba, Zigi, Mwarongo, Mgwisha and 

Mgombani. 


The main economic activities are agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining and 

quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas and water, construction, raw food 

sales, trade and commerce. Tanga city is the capital and is one of the major 

ports in the country. 


The Tanga Region has miombo woodlands, coastal forest, mangrove forest 

and montane forest. Most of Tanga’s forest reserves are located in the east 

and west Usambara Mountains. These forests are of Eastern Arc type with 

high biodiversity value, characterized by species of restricted distribution. 

Amani Nature Reserve is one of the highest biodiversity sites in the world. It 

covers a forest area of 8,380 ha and supports unique communities of fauna 

and flora. 

Tanga Region has various other protected areas including Mkomazi National 

Park, Saadani National Park and other game reserves and game controlled 

areas. 

The recently proclaimed Mkomazi National Park (which was previously a 

Game Reserve) supports savanna and Acacia-Commiphora woodlands. 

Large populations of big and small mammals move in and out of the area. 

Wildlife species present include side-striped jackal, lion, cheetah, leopard, 

lesser kudu, giraffe, Grant’s gazelle, hyena, hartebeest, warthog, buffalo, 

elephant and zebra. The endangered black rhino and wild dog are being 

bred in smaller sanctuaries within the park and more than 450 species of 

birds have been recorded. 

Saadani National Park consists of coast, river, forest and savanna. Common 

resident species include giraffe, buffalo, warthog, waterbuck, reedbuck, 

hartebeest, wildebeest, red duiker, greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, 

yellow baboon, vervet monkey, elephant, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, 

black-backed jackal, hippopotamus and crocodile. 

Maziwe Island Marine Reserve is one of the most important marine turtle 

nesting sites on the coast of East Africa, and accommodates three species 

of these reptiles. The island is located a few kilometres off the coast at 

Pangani. 

81


Tanga Region 



Mkomazi, Saadani 

Wildlife Management Areas Kilindi, Umba (proposed) 

Game Controlled Areas Handeni 

Open Areas 

Lunguza-Mnazi, Gendagenda, Malange, 

Ngereko 

Wildlife migration corridors Usambara East (Derema), Usambara West, 

Wami Mbiki-Handeni / Southern Masai 

Steppe, Wami-Mbiki-Saadani 

Important Bird Areas East Usambara Mountains, 

Handeni District Coastal Forests, 

Mkomazi Game Reserve, 

Muheza District Coastal Forests, 

Nguru Mountains, Nguu Mountains, 

Pangani District Coastal Forests, 

Tanga North-Kibo Salt Pans, Tanga South, 

West Usambara Mountains 

National Forest Reserves Baga, Bagai, Balangai West, Bassi, Bombo, 

Bombo East, Bombo Makole, 

Bombo West, Bondo, Chambogo, 

Changandu, Derema, Garafuno, Gendagenda 

North, Gendagenda South, Gologolo East, 

Gologolo West, Handeni Hill, Hebangwe, 

Jasini, Kiguha, Kihuhwi, Kihuhwi Sigi, 

Kihuhwi Teak, Kikongoloi, Kilindi, Kiriguru, 

Kisima Gonja, Kitara Ridge, Kitivo North, 

Kitivo South, Kitulio, Kolekole, Korogwe Fuel, 

Kwamarimba, Kwamarukanga, Kwambai, 

Kwamgumi, Kwani, Kwasumba, Kwediboma, 

Kwekanda, Kwembogo, Longuza, Lukoka, 



Marine Protected Area 

Lushoto, Mafi Hill, Magambazi, Mahezangulu, 

Manga, Manka, Mazashai, Mbwegere, 

Mgambo, Mkongo, Mkoro, Mkuli, Mkusu, 

Mombo, Mpalalu, Msinko, Msumbugwe, 

Mtai, Mtumbi, Mtunguru, Mwenga, Mzogoti, 

Ndasha, Ndelemai, Ndolwa, Nguru North, 

Nilo, Pumula, Rudewa, Segoma, Shagayu, 

Shambalai, Shume Lands, Shume Magamba, 

Talikwa, Tongwe, Vugiri, Zinge 

Bomani, Chambogo, Kambai, Kanyarika, 

Kaziwangodo / Kitulwe, Kilulu, Kitara, Kizee, 

Kizingata, Kwegogo, Kwemazagati, 

Kwemchungwa, Kwenyashu, Kwezitu, 

Mangrove, Mgambo / Handei, Michungwani, 

Migombani, Mlimabomba, Mtumbi, Mzovoti, 

Mzungui, Ngala, Nguo, Pangamanyoka, 

Rwevumo, Shambalai, Shambangeda, 

Shukilai, Ula Nature Reserve Amani, Nilo 

Amani 

Maziwe Island Marine Reserves 


Usambara East (Derema) wildlife corridor links the Amani Nature Reserve 

in the east Usambara Mountain with Kambai Forest Reserve. The majority 

of the area is forested and supports more than 100 endemic amphibians, 

reptiles, mammals and birds, and perhaps as many as 1,500 endemic 

plants. 

Usambara West wildlife corridor links Baga Forest Reserve with Mazumbai 

Forest and Kisima-Gonja Forest Reserve. However, the area is highly 

fragmented due to severe logging. The area is home to many endemic 

82

covered slopes. Little information is available about the faunal diversity of 

the area, however an endemic chameleon has recently been collected and 

there are several other endemic reptiles and amphibians as well as several 

species of birds which are globally threatened. 

East Usambara Mountains cover a steeply scarred plateau with the main 

ridge running north to south. It is one of the smallest ranges in Tanzania 

and supports lowland forest. There are many endemic and near-endemic 

species associated with these forests. These include 4 endemic mammals, 

15 endemic amphibians, 12 endemic reptiles and many endemic 

invertebrates. Several globally threatened bird species still inhabit these 

mountains but the majority of large mammals have been extirpated. 

Handeni District Coastal Forest is located approximately 43 km inland 

from the coast. A total of 26 mammal species have been recorded in these 

forests, three forest dependant reptiles, nine amphibians and 288 floral 

species, including three near-endemics. Several globally threatened bird 

species also inhabit this protected area. 

African violets and 10 new species of lichen, and as many as 29 % of the 

tree species are endemic. The area also hosts many endemic amphibians 

and reptiles and one endemic hyrax. The larger mammals have sadly been 

hunted out, leaving only squirrel species, black and white colobus, Syke’s 

monkeys and duiker. 

Wami Mbiki-Handeni / Southern Masai Steppe wildlife corridor links Wami 

Mbiki Wildlife Management Area with Turiani and Handeni. The corridor 

is forested and facilitates the movement of elephant and buffalo. Sable 

antelope are also known to occur in the area. 

Wami Mbiki-Saadani wildlife corridor connects Wami Mbiki Wildlife 

Management Area with Saadani National Park. There is no hard documented 

evidence to support it as fact, however signs indicate that elephant and 

buffalo move along this corridor. 

Nguru Mountains are a spectacular collection of peaks, cliff faces and forest 

83


Tanga Region 

Muheza District Coastal Forest lies near the Kenyan border. Several coastal 

forest endemics including mammals, reptiles, amphibians and a number 

of plants occur in this habitat as well as several globally threatened bird 

species. 

Nguru Mountains are a spectacular collection of peaks, cliff faces and forest 

covered slopes. Little information is known about the faunal diversity of the 

area, however an endemic chameleon has recently been collected in the 

area, along with several other endemic reptiles and amphibians, and several 

globally threatened species of birds are additional known inhabitants. 

Nguu Mountains represent the northern most extension of the central part 

of the Eastern Arc mountains and support montane forest. The area still 

supports smaller mammals such as leopard and red duiker and rare tree 

species as well as several globally threatened bird species. 

Pangani District Coastal Forest supports several small mammal species, 

reptiles, amphibians and an array of plant species as well as some species 

of globally threatened birds. 

West Usambara Mountains rise out of the edge of the coastal lowlands 

and central plateau at around 400 m to 800 m. The western scarp is 

characterized by impressive sheer cliffs, often with remnant forest along 

the rim and extending down the many stream-eroded valleys into the drier 

woodlands at the base of the hills. All large mammals have been extirpated, 

but some smaller rare and endemic species still persist along with some 

bird species which are threatened globally. 

84

Zanzibar & Pemba Regions 

Regions 

Zanzibar Central / South, 

Zanzibar North, 

Zanzibar West, North Pemba, 

South Pemba 

Districts 

Zanzibar Central, 

Zanzibar South, 

Zanzibar North “A”, 

Zanzibar North “B”, 

Zanzibar Urban, 

Zanzibar West District, 

Wete, Chake-Chake, Mkoani 

Capital 

Zanzibar City (Stonetown) 

& Chake-Chake 

Land area 

2,460k m 2 


981,754 


(1988-2002) 

3.1 % 

85


Zanzibar Region 


Zanzibar consists of the two main islands of Unguja and Pemba and about 

50 other small islets. The islands are located 40 km off the Tanzanian 

mainland. 

Zanzibar is generally flat, with the highest point being about 120 m above 

sea level. The Islands of Zanzibar are surrounded by coasts of rocky inlets 

or sandy beaches, with lagoons and mangrove swamps, and coral reefs 

beyond the shoreline. 

The climate is determined by the Monsoon winds, which blow from the 

north-east from November to February and from the south-west from April 

to September. The beginning of each new season brings rains. The heavy 

rains run from late April to early June, the light rains occur in November but 

usually are brief outbursts between large stretches of sunshine. The hottest 

months are January and February. Daytime temperatures vary in places 

between 26º C and 28º C. 


Agriculture, trade, tourism and associated services sectors are the main 

economic contributors. The main crops of Zanzibar are coconuts and cloves. 

Bananas, citrus fruits and other spices are also cultivated commercially. 

Maize, cassava and other vegetables and cereals are also grown. 

86 


The islands were originally forested, but human habitation has resulted in 

widespread clearing, with only a few isolated pockets of indigenous forests 

remaining. There are no large wild animals in Zanzibar. Monkeys and small 

antelopes inhabit forested areas and civet and various species of mongoose 

are found all over the islands. Over 100 bird species have been recorded 

and the island has one National Park. 

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park and its forest rest upon a reef limestone 

marine terrace. Habitats within the park and associated protected lands 

include a groundwater forest, coastal forest and grassland. The mangroves 

and salt marsh at the coast consist of swamp forest, mangrove, seagrass

ed and salt marsh. It supports one endemic lizard and seven mammal 

species. The Zanzibar red colobus has a population centred in the Jozani 

forest, the viability of which must be considered essential to this population’s 

long term survival. Ader’s Duiker and the Zanzibar servaline genet also 

inhabit this park along with several globally threatened bird species. 


Pemba Island is an oceanic island close to Zanzibar. The island has an 

irregular coastline and has numerous offshore islands. Topographically, the 

island is low lying, with a few areas above 65 m but numerous low rolling 

hills and associated valleys and small patches of forest. Three endemic 

species of snake, two endemic lizards and an endemic amphibian inhabit 

the island as do the endemic Pemba flying fox and a few species of globally 

threatened birds. 



Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park 

Important Bird Areas Jozani Forest Reserve-Zanzibar, 

Latham Island, Pemba Island, 

Zanzibar Island-East Coast, 

Zanzibar Island-South Coast 

National Forest Reserves Jozani 

87


88

Reference List 

Ardhi University (2008). National Land Use Framework Plan 2007-2027 

existing situation, trends and issues. The National Land Use Planning 

Commission, United Republic of Tanzania 

Baker, N. and Baker, E. 2002. Important Bird Areas in Tanzania. A first 

inventory. Wildlife Conservaton Society of Tanzania 

Clark, K. & Begg, C. 2010. African wild dog and large carnivore survey. 

Selous-Niassa Wildlife Corridor. Selous-Niassa Wildlfie Corridor Project 

Jones, T., Caro, T. & Davenport T.R.B (Eds). 2009. Wildlife Corridors in 

Tanzania. Unpublished report. Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), 

Arusha. 60pp 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Arusha. 1998. Arusha Region Socio- 

Economic Profile, The Planning Commission Dar es Salaam and Regional 

Commissioner’s Office Arusha 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Iringa. 2007. Regional Socio-economic 

Profile, Ministry of Planning, Economy and Empowerment, in collaboration 

with the National Bureau of Statistics & Regional Commissioner’s Office 

Iringa 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Kigoma. 2008. Regional Socio-economic 



Kigoma 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Kilimanjaro. 1998. Regional Socio-economic 



Kilimanjaro 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Mara. 1998. Regional Socio-economic 



Mara 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Mbeya. 1997. Regional Socio-economic 



Mbeya 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Morogoro. 2007. Regional Socio-economic 



Morogoro 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Mtwara. 1997. Regional Socio-economic 



Mtwara 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Mwanza. 1997. Regional Socio-economic 



Mwanza 

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Reference List 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Pwani. 2007. Regional Socio-economic 



Pwani 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Tanga. 2008. Regional Socio-economic 



Tanga 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Rukwa. 1998. Regional Socio-economic 



Rukwa 

Tanzania Natural Resource Forum. 2008. Wildlife for all Tanzanians: 

Stopping the loss, nurturing the resource and widening the benefits. 

Summary Overview 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Ruvuma. 1997. Regional Socio-economic 



Ruvuma 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Shinyanga. 2007. Regional Socio-economic 



Shinyanga 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Singida. 1997. Regional Socio-economic 



Singida 

Regional Commissioner’s Office Tabora. 1998. Regional Socio-economic 



Tabora 

90

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