Kang’ata National Bee Reserve is one among five Bee Reserves found in Mwambao-Handeni which was declared to be a National Bee reserve in 2007 and Gazzetted through the Government Notice Number 290 of 26/03/2021. It is under TFS ownership
Location and legal status
Kang'ata reserve is in Handeni district in Tanga region. The district lies between latitudes 4o9’ and 6o0’ S and between longitudes 36o.8’ and 38o.5’ E. This Reserve lies between 367500 and 374085 Easting and between 9374786 and 9371054 Northings coordinates. It is at a distance of about 45 km from Handeni town Southward within Kang’ata village. It is reached by road along the Handeni to Turiani highway. Significantly ths reserve covers an area of 1,435.24 Ha. It is bordered by Kang’ata village to the East and North and Kilimamzinga village at it's South and west side.
Vegetation
Kang’ata National Bee Reserve is mainly characterized by Miombo woodland forest that possess an immeasurable significance in conservation of biodiversity. The vegetation presents a complex interspersion of cover type and a huge variety of plant species. Throughout most of KNBR undercover vegetation form complex irregular mosaic vegetation. Generally, the reserve is a forested area classified into Miombo woodlands. This has great influence on bees and beekeeping thus making the area ideal for Bee Reserve establishment.
Dominant tree spp are; Brachystegia boehimii, Braychystegia spicifomis, Combretum spp, Burkea africana, Pterocarpus angolensis and Acacia spp. Most of these plant species secrete nectar and others produce pollen or both nectar and pollen which are fundamental resources for bees to produce honey. Miombo -acacia woodland species/vegetation attract honeybees and therefore leads beekeeping to be one of key economic activities in the area.
Activities
Apart from beekeeping, other human supportive activities for livelihood of nearby communities to Kang’ata Bee Reserve includes agriculture and livestock keeping which is done at small-scale.
Attractions
The reserve has some attractions that can attract tourism related activities including eco-tourism and tourism products and services such as walking trails and guided tours for scene viewing.
The site also can attract other activities for Api- tourism and Eco-tourism like;
1.Establishing and mapping different zones of apiaries within bee reserve characterized with various flowering plant species that present spectacular scenes for viewing and likewise for beekeeping production activities and, 2. Establishment of water points/ponds in different places within bee reserve of which will attract various birds and animal favoured by such environment hence attract tourism activities.
