Magombera Forest is a lowland forest at the foot of the Udzungwa Mountains. TFCG have played a key role in securing the conservation of this high biodiversity forest.
On 11th January 2019, the Government announced the establishment of the 26 km2 Magombera Nature Forest Reserve. The announcement was the culmination of many years of advocating for the protection of this unique forest.
Magombera Nature Forest Reserve is home to a population of the Endangered Udzungwa red colobus monkey. Numerous other internationally threatened species of plants and animals are present in the new reserve, including the Magombera chameleon and the Udzungwa dwarf galago.
Magombera Forest is also important for local communities who depend on the adjacent land for rice and sugar farming.
The reserve is becoming a popular place to visit among tourists, especially bird enthusiasts seeking a rare chance to see the elusive Pel’s fishing owl, Africa’s largest owl. It has a well-maintained tourist trail, where visitors can get wonderful views of monkeys, birds, and the nearby Udzungwa Mountains. Visitors will also certainly see signs of elephants, which roam widely across the forest at dawn and dusk. And for each visitor entering the reserve, part of the entrance fee goes direct to local village communities.
The protection of the forest has been made possible following major donations by the World Land Trust, Rainforest Trust, the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation and Flamingo Land.
Since 2019, additional funds provided by the Rainforest Trust have paved the way for a system of joint management involving the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) and local communities. A tourism plan is also under development.
The project has been implemented through a partnership involving TFCG, Reforest Africa and TFS.