Kwenyunga - Magiri National Bee Reserves
Kwenyunga-Magiri National Bee Reserve(K-MNBR) forms part in the 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 hence the name of 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 earthroad.
The Bee Reserve is bordered by Kwenyunga village to the East and North, and Magiri village to the South and west side.
Vegetation; Kwenyunga-Magiri National Bee Reserve is mainly characterized by the 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.
The dominant tree spp are; Combretum spp, Amalula spp, Dalbergia melanoxylon. The 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.