Kilombero Valley Game Controlled Area
The
Kilombero Valley is located in Morogoro region, southern
Tanzania between the Udzungwa Mountains and the Mahenge
escarpment, part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. The Kilombero
Game Controlled Area is approximately 7000 sq. km and serve as
a 'wildlife corridor' between the Selous Game Reserve and
Mikumi and Udzungwa National Parks.
Main
features:
The
Kilombero Valley is a unique, complex ecosystem with one of
the highest wild mammal densities in Tanzania. The main
location to visit in Kilombero is the fishing village of
Mikeregembe. Located a kilometer form the border of the Selous
Game Reserve. This idyllic village nestles between Boomerolanga Forest Reserve and the Kilombero River. The
Kilombero valley contains the only sustainable population of
Puku in Tanzania and 3 endemic bird species (the
Kilombero Weaver, and 2 Cisticolla species). Its status as a
Game Controlled Area means that people still live in the
valley in their traditional manner, co-existing with wildlife.
In Tanzania this presents a unique chance to glimpse the
rapidly disappearing past. Encouraging people to visit
Kilombero will stimulate local economy and encourage the
protection of the remaining threatened wildlife and habitat.
In addition to this unique cultural experience in the village,
wildlife highlights include canoeing past pods of hippo and
herds of elephants. The bird watching is however the main
attraction of the Kilombero, with many water birds and
raptors.
When to visit:
Best time to visit Kilombero Valley is
July/August/September/November/December/Jan. The area is
inaccessible March-June due to inundation - the floodplain is
the largest seasonal wetland in E.Africa.
Getting There:
The Kilombero Valley is accessed by road from the Udzungwa
Mountains National Park (1hr to Ifakara, then 1.5hrs to
Mikeregembe by car via Ifakara. The trip to Kilombero works
well when combined with
Selous and
Udzungwa then a stop in
Mikumi
on the return to Dar. Special itineraries available
on request to
Classic Tours & Safaris.
