Amani Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Tanga Region, Tanzania.
The Amani Nature Reserve is a tropical cloud forest located within the East Usambara Mountains spanning roughly 83 square kilometers. The forest is home to numerous plant species found nowhere else and features streams flowing through hilly terrain.
A research station was established here in 1902 as a center for scientific investigation. After World War II, the focus shifted to malaria research, which became important for understanding the disease in this region.
The Shambaa people have long connections to this forest, visible in how they harvest medicinal plants, honey, and seasonal fruits today. These practices shape local views on protecting the land.
Access is easiest from the nearby city of Tanga, roughly 74 kilometers away, making it the most practical starting point. Visitors should prepare for wet conditions and hilly paths, bringing suitable footwear and rain protection.
The reserve is known for rare African violets and ranks among the world's best locations for bird watching. Three waterfalls run through the forest, creating distinctive features along the hiking trails.
Location: Tanga
Inception: 1997
Website: http://amaninature.org
GPS coordinates: -5.10112,38.62929
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
Tanzania provides photographers with an extraordinary range of subjects, from the Serengeti plains to Zanzibar's coastline and Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters). The country contains major wildlife reserves including Tarangire, where elephant herds move between baobab trees, and the Ngorongoro Crater, which holds a dense concentration of large mammals within its 100-square-mile (260-square-kilometer) caldera. Coastal regions and offshore islands like Mafia and Pemba offer opportunities to photograph coral reefs, sea turtles, and traditional dhow boats. The Mahale Mountains support habituated chimpanzee groups, while Selous Game Reserve presents riverine landscapes and diverse animal populations. Stone Town's historic quarter features Arab, Persian, and Indian architecture spanning several centuries, including the House of Wonders and the narrow alleys of the former trading port. The less visited Katavi National Park delivers scenes of hundreds of hippos crowding shrinking pools during the dry season. Kondoa rock art sites preserve prehistoric paintings dating back as far as 30,000 years. The active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai and alkaline Lake Natron with its flamingo flocks add geological interest. From the terraced hillsides of the Usambara Mountains to the wildflower meadows of Kitulo National Park, Tanzania covers nearly every photographic interest.
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