Kwenyunga-Magiri National Bee Reserve (K-MNBR) forms part in five Bee Reserves forming Mwambao Bee farm in Handeni district. It was declared a National Bee Reserve in 2007 and Gazetted through Government Notice (GN) No 236 of 05/03/2021. The reserve covers an area of 129.35 Ha.
Location
This reserve is in Handeni district of Tanga region. The district can be found between latitudes 4o9’ S and 6o0’ S of and between 36o.8’ E and 38o.5’ E. Specifrically, K-MNBR lies between 438922 and 441160 Easting and between 9398698 and 9397340 Northings coordinates. The reserve falls into two villages namely Kwenyunga and Magiri, these two in combination made way to Kwenyunga-Magiri National Bee Reserve. It can be accessed through different directions from Handen town i.e about 86 Km from Handeni town eastward to Kwenyunga and Magiri villages via Handeni-Mkata-Kabuku tarmac road or 96 Km via Handeni-Korogwe-Segera-Kabuku tarmac road and 76 Km via Handen-Kwamkono-Kabuku earth road.
Also this Bee Reserve is bordered by Kwenyunga village at it's East and North, and Magiri village at the South and west side.
Vegetation
Kwenyunga-Magiri National Bee Reserve is mainly characterized by regenerated secondary growth Miombo-acacia woodland forest and shrubs with comparatively good plant diversity. Generally, the reserve is a regenerated forest area classified into Miombo-Acacia woodlands but with good value and influence on bees and beekeeping making the area ideal for establishment of a Bee Reserve and apiaries.
Dominant tree spp are; Combretum spp, Amalula spp, Dalbergia melanoxylon. Combretum spp and Dalbergia spp are good nectar secretors though they are also pollen shading.
Activities
Apart from beekeeping, the communities around K-MNBR practices other livelihood supportive activities including agriculture livestock keeping and small-scale trading.
Attractions
The reserve has some attractions that can attract tourism related activities including Api-tourism, eco-tourism and tourism products and services such as camp sites, body walk (man-made) trails and watching bee colony activities. Presence of white and black Colobus monkey in the reserve is another feature/character that enriches its tourism potentials.
