Minziro Forest Reserve

Minziro Forest Reserve is a large nature reserve along the Kagera River with seasonal swamp forests and flooded acacia woodlands at elevated terrain. The landscape spreads across thousands of hectares and creates diverse habitats throughout the reserve.

The forest received official protection in 1947 to preserve one of Tanzania's largest forests. This decision helped safeguard the forest system that continues across the border with Uganda.

Local communities use specific areas for traditional activities while respecting the forest's protection. The ways people interact with this landscape reflect deep connections built over generations.

The reserve is accessible from Bukoba through Bunazi town or from the Mutukula area near the Tanzania-Uganda border. Visitors should be prepared for remote terrain and swampy areas that can be difficult to navigate depending on the season.

The forest is home to over 240 bird species, including about 60 found nowhere else in Tanzania. This remarkable diversity extends to butterflies, with hundreds of species present throughout the landscape.

Location: Bukoba Rural District

Inception: 1947

Elevation above the sea: 1,150 m

GPS coordinates: -1.10583,31.51610

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:08