Minziro Nature Forest Reserve covers approximately 248.41 square kilometers of the conservation area along the Kagera River and has a boundary length of 80 km. It protects one of the largest forests in Tanzania, a forest type that is unique in the country. Minziro was first designated a Forest Reserve in 1947 and re-gazetted in 2016 as Minziro Nature Forest Reserve. It is situated at an elevation of around 1,150 m (3,770 ft).
More so Minziro Nature Forest Reserve is located in Missenyi District in Kagera Region, approximately 20 km from Lake Victoria. The forest is continuous with the Malabigambo Forest over the nearby Uganda border. The largest part consists of baikiae Podocarpus seasonal swamp forests while the remainder is flooded acacia woodlands. The northern boundary lies along the Tanzania-Uganda border, the southern and eastern boundary along the Kagera River, and to the west lies a tarmac road to Uganda. Minziro plays an important role in the Kagera River floodplain ecosystem.
The reserve is exceptional with a variety of tourist attractions, which include various species of birds (such as blue swallow, forest francolin, great blue Turaco, blue breasted kingfisher); about 600 natural species of butterfly; World War I base at Burembe Hill, traditional nature trail and unique stands of papyrus along the Kagera River.
the Minziro swamp forest landscape – has been designated as part of the worldwide network of “Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas”. Together with the Sango Bay-Musambwa Island-Kagera Wetland Ramsar Site in southwestern Uganda, the areas form an important transboundary conservation site. The reserve is also surrounded by eight villages.
Climate
The area is generally flat, with an altitude ranging from 1,125 to 1,140 meters. One small rocky outcrop, Kere Hill, lies at 1,180 meters. The mean annual rainfall is approximately 800 mm per year, with the long rains falling in mid-March to May and the short rains in October to November. Temperatures range between 26.9 degrees Celsius in February and 16.3 degrees Celsius in July.
Attractions found in Minziro Nature Forest Reserve
Wildlife
Minziro Nature Forest Reserve is renowned for its bird population, the reserve a home to 245 bird species recorded, and 56 are restricted to the Guinea-Congo biome and unknown elsewhere else in Tanzania. 96 of the bird species are forest-dependent specialists. Bird species recorded in Minziro include Yellowbill, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Purple-throated Cuckoo Shrike, Grey-headed Sunbird, and Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat. Other bird species found here include Blue Swallow, Forest Francolin, Great Blue Turaco, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Western Nicator, Isabelline Shrike, and Western Oriole.
Surprisingly the reserve holds the largest concentration of over 600 butterfly species that have been recorded in the forest and are abundant from June – to September.
The Minziro Nature Forest is also a dwell for primate species that are found in the reserve including the Red-Tailed Monkey, the Grey-cheeked mangabey, and Thomas’s dwarf galago. The Western Tree Hyrax has also been sighted here.
Vegetation
Three-quarters of the Minziro Nature Forest Reserve area can be classified as Baikiaea-Podocarpus seasonal swamp forest. The remainder consists of extensive grasslands, flooded Acacia woodlands, and stands of Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) along the Kagera River. The grasslands provide an important wintering habitat for birds. Common tree and shrub species in the Minziro Nature Forest Reserve include Baikiaea insignis, Afrocarpus Dawei, Warburgia ugandensis, Syzygium guineense, Mimusops bagshwawei, Beilschmiedia ugandensis, Manilkara obovata, Syzygium cordatum, Maesopsis eminii, Sapium ellipticum and Gardenia imperialis. Coffea canephora, commonly known as robusta coffee, occurs naturally in Minziro
Amazing safari activities to do at Minziro Nature Forest Reserve
Camping
Camping safaris at Minziro Nature Forest Reserve is a delightful experience at Kere Hill. visitors while on a camping safari can set up camp in comfort while enjoying stunning views of the reserve’s natural beauty. The campsites are easily accessible via the gravel road that connects Bunazi center to Minziro ward.
Butter flying Viewing
Butterfly viewing is one of the most popular activities to do while on a Tanzania adventure safari in the Forest Reserve. The reserve is one of over 600 butterfly species, making it the best butterfly-viewing destination in Africa. this activity is best done during the months from June to September. During your safaris, you’ll have the opportunity to witness an impressive variety of vibrant butterfly species can enjoy large numbers of different species of attractive butterfly
Birding
Birding is also another thrilling activity to do while on your Tanzania safari in Minziro Nature Forest. The reserve is home to Guinea-Congo biome restricted, 58 of the 245 bird species recorded in the reserve are not found outside Kagera Region, while 56 of these are only found in Minziro in Tanzania. Some of these bird species spotted include Blue Swallow, Forest Francolin, Great Blue Turaco, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Western Nicator, Isabelline Shrike and Western Oriole.
Forest walk
Minziro Nature Forest Reserve features a camping site and offers a total of 14 kilometers of nature trails, allowing visitors to wander through the forest and take in its stunning beauty. During your guided forest walks, you will have the chance to meander through the lush forest where you will be treated to the sights of the forest dwellers. Some of the species spotted include colorful birds, animals, primates, stunning insects, beautiful butterflies, and flowering plants among others.
How to access Minziro Nature Forest Reserve
Minziro Nature Forest Reserve can be accessed from Minziro village about 90 km about 2 hours drive from Bukoba. Drive to Kyaka and from there take the district road north to Minziro Village.
Where to stay
The reserve has two campsites within the forest while other accommodation facilities can be secured outside the reserve at Bunazi, Mutukula, and Bukoba townships.
