Minziro Forest Reserve

-1.10961 , 31.48429

Tanzania

Minziro forest covering an area of 25717 ha is located in misenyi district kagera region in NW Tanzania. The forest is an eastern extension of the Guinea-congo biome which is home to diverse and unique flora and fauna. The uniqueness of its biological richness makes this forest an important protected area. Plants such as afrocarpus dawei are endemic to minziro forest while the endangered wild coffee is found in several patches in this forest. The rare Thomas's galago and grey-cheeked mangabey are not found anywhere else in tanzania. Minziro being a forest located in the northwest means it is home to species of birds which are restricted to the west. Out of 245 bird species recorded in this forest, 58 are not found outside the kagera region of Tanzania.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were changed by Stephen Matthews : -1.1096/31.4843 (2025-11-02 10:40:18 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : -1.1096/31.4843 (2020-12-03 19:56:55 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Minziro Forest Reserve" (2020-12-03 19:56:55 )

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-03 07:20:00
Minziro forest covering an area of 25717 ha is located in misenyi district kagera region in NW Tanzania. The forest is an eastern extension of the Guinea-congo biome which is home to diverse and unique flora and fauna. The uniqueness of its biological richness makes this forest an important protected area. Plants such as afrocarpus dawei are endemic to minziro forest while the endangered wild coffee is found in several patches in this forest. The rare thomas Thomas's galago and grey-cheeked mangabey are not found anywhere else in tanzania. Minziro being a forest located in the northwest means it is home to species of birds which are restricted to the west. Out of 245 bird species recorded in this forest, 58 are not found outside the kagera region of Tanzania.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:40:18
Minziro forest covering an area of 25717 ha is located in misenyi district kagera region in NW tanzania.Tanzania. The forest is an eastern extension of the Guinea-congo biome which is home to diverse and unique flora and fauna.fauna. The uniqueness of its biological richness makes this forest an important protected area.A plant area. Plants such as afrocarpus dawei is are endemic to minziro forest while the endangered wild coffee is found in several parches patches in this forest.forest. The rare thomas galago and grey-cheeked mangabey are not found anywhere else over tanzania.in tanzania. Minziro being a forest located in the north west northwest means it is home to species of birds which are restricted to the west ,out west. Out of 245 birds species bird species recorded in this forest forest, 58 are not found outside the kagera region of tanzaniaTanzania.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-17 13:07:05
Minziro forest covering an area of 25717 ha is located in misenyi district kagera region in NW tanzania.The forest is an eastern extension of the Guinea-congo biome which is home to diverse and unique flora and fauna.The uniqueness of its biological richness makes this forest an important protected area.A plant such as afrocarpus dawei is endemic to minziro forest while the endangered wild coffee is found in several parches in this forest.The rare thomas galago and grey-cheeked mangabey are not found anywhere else over tanzania.Minziro being a forest located in the north west means it home to species of birds which are restricted to the west ,out of 245 birds species recorded in this forest 58 are not found outside kagera region of tanzania

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Western Crested Guineafowl (Guttera verreauxi)
Latham's Francolin (Peliperdix lathami)
Red-winged Francolin (Scleroptila levaillantii)
Afep Pigeon (Columba unicincta)
Lemon Dove (Aplopelia larvata)
Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata)
Purple-crested Turaco (Gallirex porphyreolophus)
Ross's Turaco (Musophaga rossae)
Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus)
Mottled Spinetail (Telacanthura ussheri)
White-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura pulchra)
Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus)
Ayres's Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetus ayresii)
Bar-tailed Trogon (Apaloderma vittatum)
Crowned Hornbill (Lophoceros alboterminatus)
White-thighed Hornbill (Bycanistes albotibialis)
Moustached Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus leucomystax)
Scaly-throated Honeyguide (Indicator variegatus)
Montane Blue Swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea)
Green-tailed Bristlebill (Bleda eximius)
Little Greenbul (Eurillas virens)
Brown Illadopsis (Illadopsis fulvescens)
Scaly-breasted Illadopsis (Illadopsis albipectus)
Splendid Starling (Lamprotornis splendidus)
Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush (Stizorhina fraseri)
White-tailed Alethe (Alethe diademata)
Tacazze Sunbird (Nectarinia tacazze)
Superb Sunbird (Cinnyris superbus)
Little Weaver (Ploceus luteolus)
Forest Weaver (Ploceus bicolor)

Little Weaver (Ploceus luteolus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 13:50:53)

Tacazze Sunbird (Nectarinia tacazze) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 13:50:37)

Forest Weaver (Ploceus bicolor) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 13:50:12)

Bar-tailed Trogon (Apaloderma vittatum) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 13:49:49)

Western Crested Guineafowl (Guttera verreauxi) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 13:49:10)

Scaly-throated Honeyguide (Indicator variegatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 13:48:43)

Little Greenbul (Eurillas virens) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 13:47:36)

White-thighed Hornbill (Bycanistes albotibialis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 13:47:19)

Moustached Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus leucomystax) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 13:47:01)

Montane Blue Swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:46:03)

Brown Illadopsis (Illadopsis fulvescens) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:38:48)

Green-tailed Bristlebill (Bleda eximius) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:37:09)

White-tailed Alethe (Alethe diademata) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:35:43)

Crowned Hornbill (Lophoceros alboterminatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:30:00)

Ayres's Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetus ayresii) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:29:19)

Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:29:04)

Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:28:22)

Mottled Spinetail (Telacanthura ussheri) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:27:30)

Ross's Turaco (Musophaga rossae) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:26:15)

Purple-crested Turaco (Gallirex porphyreolophus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:25:56)

Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:25:29)

Lemon Dove (Aplopelia larvata) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:24:44)

Afep Pigeon (Columba unicincta) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:24:27)

Red-winged Francolin (Scleroptila levaillantii) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:23:28)

Latham's Francolin (Peliperdix lathami) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:22:04)

Superb Sunbird (Cinnyris superbus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:12:46)

White-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura pulchra) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:12:24)

Scaly-breasted Illadopsis (Illadopsis albipectus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:12:07)

Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush (Stizorhina fraseri) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:11:18)

Splendid Starling (Lamprotornis splendidus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-17 12:10:29)

  • Timing and strategy

The best time to visit minziro is from july to early January, the rest of the month the amount of rainfall is high. This being a tropical rainforest, showers of rain are always expected any time of the year so you have to carry your rainboots and other waterproof stuff if you are carrying cameras and other delicate items with you. For you to get birds with ease, from my experience in this area, bird on the roadside and don't focus too much on getting inside the forest. Go past the forest to the villages site on the first day to tick more birds in no time, then return to the forest interior and do your leisurely birding. If you have time (3 days is recommended) visit the farmlands near khabaale and minziro village. The minziro forest office provides local guides that know the site well but they are not keen birders, so you should come with an expert guide.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-03 07:22
The best time to visit minziro is from july to early January, the rest of the month the amount of rainfall is high. This being a tropical rainforest, showers of rain are always expected any time of the year so you have to carry your rainboots and other waterproof stuff if you are carrying cameras and other delicate items with you. For you to get birds with ease, from my experience in this area, bird on the roadside and don't focus too much on getting inside the forest. Go past the forest to the villages site on the first day to tick more birds in no time, then return to the forest interior and do your leisurely birding. If you have time (3 days is recommended) visit the farmlands near khabaale and minziro village. The minziro forest office provide provides local guides that knows the know the site well but they are not keen birders, so you should come with an expert guide.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-03 07:21
The best time to visit minziro is from july to early January,the January, the rest of the month the amount of rainfall is high. This being a tropical rainforest, showers of rain are always expected any time of the year so you have to carry your rainboots and other waterproof stuff if you are carrying cameras and other delicate items with you. For you to get birds with ease, from my experience in this area, bird on the roadside and don't focus too much on getting inside the forest. Go past the forest to the villages site on the first day to tick more birds in no time, then return to the forest interior and do your leisurely birding. If you have time (3 days is recommended) visit the farmlands near khabaale and minziro village. The minziro forest office provide local guides that knows the site well but they are not keen birders, so you should come with an expert guide.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:42
The best time to visit minziro is from july to early January,the rest of the month the amount of rainfall is high.For it being This being a tropical rainforest rainforest, showers of rain are always expected anytime any time of the year so you have to carry your rainboots and other waterproof stuff if you are carrying cameras and other delicate stuffs with you.items with you. For you to get birds with ease to my ease, from my experience in this area bird area, bird on the roadside and dont focuse much don't focus too much on getting inside the forest,go forest. Go past the forest to the villages site on the first day to tick more birds with no time,now in no time, then return to the forest interior and do your leisurely birding.if birding. If you have time(3days time (3 days is recommended) visit the farmlands near khabaale and minziro village.village. The minziro forest office provide local guides that knows the site well but they are not keen birders,so birders, so you should come with your an expert guide with youguide.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-17 13:18
The best time to visit minziro is from july to early January,the rest of the month the amount of rainfall is high.For it being a tropical rainforest showers of rain are always expected anytime of the year so you have to carry your rainboots and other waterproof stuff if you are carrying cameras and other delicate stuffs with you.For you to get birds with ease to my experience in this area bird on the roadside and dont focuse much getting inside the forest,go past the forest to the villages site on the first day to tick more birds with no time,now return to the forest interior and do your leisurely birding.if you have time(3days is recommended) visit the farmlands near khabaale and minziro village.The minziro forest office provide local guides that knows the site well but they are not keen birders,so you should come with your expert guide with you
  • How to get there

If you are coming from bukoba drive aproximately 60 km along the bukoba-mtukula road to bunazi town. You will see a big sign board, cross the road on your right then drive for 14 km to the forest. f you are coming from mtukula -uganda border, drive up to bunazi and turn left.

There are several minibuses from bukoba which go straight to minziro village but they leave bukoba at around 1100am, this means you will be late for birding. 

If you come by public transport with those minibuses going to mtukula border from bukoba, get dropped at bunazi, cross the road to the right you will see several taxis that will take you to minziro.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:43
If you are coming from bukoba drive aproximately 60 km along the bukoba-mtukula road to bunazi town,you town. You will see a big sign board ,cross board, cross the road on your right then drive for 14 km to the forest.if forest. f you are coming from mtukula -uganda boarder border, drive upto up to bunazi and turn on your left Ther left. There are several minibuses from bukoba which go straight to minziro village but they leave bukoba at around 1100am ,this 1100am, this means you will be late for birding  birding.  If you come by public transport with those minibuses going to mtukula boarder border from bukoba,get bukoba, get dropped at bunazi,cross bunazi, cross the road to the right you will see several taxis that will take you to minzirominziro.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-17 13:25
If you are coming from bukoba drive aproximately 60 km along the bukoba-mtukula road to bunazi town,you will see big sign board ,cross the road on your right then drive for 14 km to the forest.if you are coming from mtukula -uganda boarder drive upto bunazi and turn on your left Ther are several minibuses from bukoba which go straight to minziro village but they leave bukoba at around 1100am ,this means you will be late for birding  If you come by public transport with those minibuses going to mtukula boarder from bukoba,get dropped at bunazi,cross the road to the right you will see several taxis that will take you to minziro

The only access point is from bunazi where you will stop at the district HQ office building where the minziro forest reserve office is located. Pay for the number of days that you will spend in the site (10usd for non resident and 300tsh for east africans per head per day), they will give you a guide who will be showing you the way to the forest and you are expected to pay him 10000 tsh per day.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:44
The only access point is from bunazi where you will stop at the district HQ office building where the minziro forest reserve office is located ,pay located. Pay for a the number of days that you will spend in the site(10usd site (10usd for non resident and 300tsh for east african africans per head per day)they day), they will give you a guide who will be showing you the way to the forest and you are expected to pay him 10000 tsh per dayday.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-17 13:29
The only access point is from bunazi where you will stop at the district HQ office building where the minziro forest reserve office is located ,pay for a number of days that you will spend in the site(10usd for non resident and 300tsh for east african per head per day)they will give you a guide who will be showing you the way to the forest and you are expected to pay him 10000 tsh per day
  • Other attractions

Other attractions include the malira caves in minziro village which were used in the world war 2, searching for rare endemic thomas galago, rhino viper, mutagata hotspring, ancient rock painting in mugana, traditional dances and village tours.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:45
other Other attractions includes malira include the malira caves in minziro village which were used in the world war 2,search 2, searching for rare endemic thomas galago,rhino viper,mutagata hotspring,ancient galago, rhino viper, mutagata hotspring, ancient rock painting in mugana, traditional dances and village tourstours.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-17 13:34
other attractions includes malira caves in minziro village which were used in the world war 2,search for rare endemic thomas galago,rhino viper,mutagata hotspring,ancient rock painting in mugana, traditional dances and village tours

No facilities in minziro forest, the nearest hotel which is in bunazi is 14 km away.

Camping is allowed in the forest so you might opt to camp or stay in a hotel in bunazi.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:45
No facilities in minziro forest forest, the nearby hotel nearest hotel which is in bunazi is 14 km away away. Camping is allowed in the forest so you might opt to camp or stay in a hotel in bunazibunazi.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-17 13:36
No facilities in minziro forest the nearby hotel which is in bunazi is 14 km away Camping is allowed in the forest so you might opt to camp or stay in a hotel in bunazi

Take with you a local guide that knows the area well because it is easy to get lost. Carry with you insect/mosquito repellent, wear hiking boots and long trousers.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:46
Take with you a local guide that knows best the area well because it is easy to get lost.lost. Carry with you insect/mosquitoes reppelant,hiking insect/mosquito repellent, wear hiking boots and long trouserstrousers.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-17 13:38
Take with you a local guide that knows best the area because it is easy to get lost.Carry with you insect/mosquitoes reppelant,hiking boots and long trousers
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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Minziro Forest Reserve - Orniverse