Kilombero Nature Reserve is a protected wetland area in Tanzania, offering rich biodiversity and crucial habitat for numerous wildlife species amid expansive floodplains and riverine forests.
Kilombero Nature Reserve is located in the Morogoro Region of Tanzania along the Kilombero River floodplain, covering vital wetland ecosystems that support an impressive diversity of flora and fauna. The reserve encompasses extensive swamps, seasonally flooded grasslands, and riverine forests, playing a key role in the hydrology of the region. Its vast floodplains provide breeding grounds for fish, important habitat for large mammals such as elephants and buffalo, as well as a critical refuge for bird species including several globally threatened ones. The reserve is part of the larger Kilombero Valley Ramsar wetland site, recognized for its international importance in conserving wetland environments. Historically, the area has been used by local communities for fishing, rice farming, and hunting, but its designation as a nature reserve aims to balance sustainable resource use with biodiversity protection. Visitors to Kilombero Nature Reserve can engage in wildlife viewing, birdwatching, guided walking trails, and paddling the seasonal rivers and swamps. Due to its wetland character, the reserve’s access can vary seasonally, with the dry season offering better conditions for exploration. While infrastructure is limited, the reserve’s remote and relatively undisturbed wilderness presents unique opportunities for ecotourism and scientific research. Kilombero Nature Reserve is a vital conservation area within Tanzania’s network of protected zones, attracting experts and nature enthusiasts interested in tropical wetland ecosystems and rare species conservation.
Extensive floodplains along the Kilombero River providing key wetland habitat
Home to the rare and endangered Udzungwa red colobus monkey
Diverse wetland birdlife including wattled cranes and fish eagles
Traditional fishing villages offering cultural insights into sustainable resource use
Seasonally inundated grasslands and swamps that sustain fish spawning and support large herbivores.
Critical habitat within riverine forests for this endangered primate species unique to Tanzania.
Internationally recognized wetland of ecological importance for biodiversity conservation and water management.