Mazumbai Forest Reserve was originally part of the Mazumbai Coffee Estate, which was given to the estate’s first Swiss manager, Mr. Hugo Tanner, upon his retirement in 1944. In 1968, Hugo Tanner’s son, John Tanner, donated the forest to the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) with the stipulation that it be preserved and that visiting researchers would be welcome. In 1982, when John Tanner left the country, he further donated his chalet at Mazumbai to UDSM to serve as accommodation for visitors.
Initially, the management of Mazumbai Forest Reserve at UDSM was overseen by the Division of Forestry within the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Sciences at Morogoro. In 1984, this faculty was transformed into a full-fledged university, becoming Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), and the Division of Forestry was elevated to the Faculty of Forestry. Consequently, SUA inherited the forest reserve, which was assigned to the Faculty of Forestry (now the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Tourism) as its custodian. SUA employs forest managers, guards, and attendants to ensure that local villagers do not harvest fuel wood or medicinal herbs from the forest.
Mazumbai receives 1230 mm annual rainfall which is divided into two rainy seasons: the short rains from October to December and the longer, more reliable rains, from April to June.
The estimated evapotranspiration of the forest is 110 mm annually, meaning a surplus of water is produced every year. The mean annual temperature is 15°C , with the coldest period averaging 12°C in May, June, and July, and the warmest period averaging with 20°C in January, February, and March.
The main tribes inhabiting the surrounding areas include the Wapare and the Sambaa, who engage in agriculture, forestry, and small-scale mining. The population density in the vicinity of Mazumbai Forest Reserve is estimated to be 150 people per sq. km, with communities relying on the forest for various resources such as timber, medicinal plants, and non-timber forest products.
Rainbow over Mazumbai Forest. Attr: Elena Durazo