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Amani Forest Nature Reserve is
one of the latest Nature Reserve established by the
government to protect flora and fauna of East Usambara.
It harbors some of the animals only seen in Usambara such as Nduk eagle owl and most endemic plants. It was first established in 1902 as an agriculture
research station by the Germans, and was turned into a nature
reserve in 1997.
Amani Botanical gardens, the second largest
botanical garden in the world lies in this reserve. Today the area
continues to play a significant part in medical research hosting
the Amani Medical Research Centre . The Nature Reserve has now
been turned into an eco tourism attraction with greater emphasis on
walking and hiking.
Walking and hiking through the
forestry is the main attraction. Well-established walking routes are
present. While walking you have an opportunity to see black and white
colobus, blue monkey, and the nature's main attraction, Nduk eagle
owl, a specie found only in Amani. You will also see nine species of
African violet garden flowers and colorful butterflies some of them
found only in Usambara . Other birds include green headed oriole, Amani
sunbirds, Uluguru violet backed, forest warbler . To sum up the area has
wonderful birds, butterflies, animals and plants some of them found only
in this area.
Three routes have been established :
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Kwamkoro - Potwe - Gereza -
Kwagunda - Ubiri - Amani
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Amani-Zirai-Kizara-Kwamkole-Mzia-Mashewa-West
Usambar
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Amani-Zirai - Kizara - Lutindi -
Magoma - West Usambara
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