Mount Rungwe Nature Forest Reserves

“Lake Ngosi with a crater lake in a shape of African Continent”

Mount Rungwe Nature Forest Reserve is one of the best tourist destinations in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania covering an area of 24,680 ha. The reserve is situated in Rungwe District, Mbeya Region and was named after Rungwe Mountain which harbors several endemic flora and fauna. The reserve is synonymous with Lake Ngosi, the second largest Crater Lake in Africa and the leading tourist attraction in the reserve. The lake is situated at the top of Mt. Rungwe forming the highest peak in the Southern Highland of Tanzania.

Alongside Lake Ngosi, other tourist attractions found within Mount Rungwe Nature Reserve are the rare red colobus monkeys known as Rungwe Cebus and locally named "Kipunji"; the bamboo belt; the flowing rivers of Kiwira, Kibisi and the spectacular view of the rift valley.

Ecotourism Activities

Numerous activities can be done in the reserve such as bird watching, mountain trekking, game viewing and photographing, camping and picnicking, nature viewing and meditation, cultural and traditional activities like worshiping.

Accessibility

Visitors to the reserve from Dar es salaam may take a flight or a public bus or TAZARA trail to Mbeya City. From Mbeya to the reserve there is a distance of 22km.

Other Tourist Attractions near Mt. Rungwe Nature Forest Reserve

Other tourist attractions found near Mt. Rungwe Nature Forest Reserve are Livingstone Mountains and Kitulo National Park (east of the reserve), Mbozi Meteorite (Kimondo) found in Songwe Region, 72 km from Mbeya, Kalambo Nature Forest Reserve about 397 km from Mbeya via Sumbawanga, Mpanga Kipengele Game Reserve about 101 km from Mbeya on the highway to Dar es salaam..

Supporting Facilities

The place has several sites suitable for camping and holding picnics, accommodation facilities are available at Tukuyu Township and Mbeya City.