Pare Mountains
The Pare Mountains, a subrange of the Eastern Arc Mountains, span from Kilimanjaro to the Usambara Mountains, bordered by Lake Jipe. Located in the Kilimanjaro Region, they host six forest reserves and nearly 300 clan forests.
Geology
The Eastern Arc mountains, formed 100 million years ago, have a topography similar to the Miocene epoch. They consist of migmatites and granites, with quartz veins, and Shengena Peak and surrounding mountains in the South Pare are rich in mica deposits.
Ecology
The Pare Mountains, part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, are of lower conservation priority due to lower levels of endemism. These diverse ecosystems, including sub-montane, montane, and upper montane forests, support diverse fauna and flora, including endemic species like hawks and sunbirds.
Human History
Pareland, also known as Vuasu, connects the Indian Ocean hinterland with the Vuasu region. The Pare tribe, also known as Wapare, has a long-standing presence in the mountains, preserving their traditional practices despite the shift towards urbanized lifestyles in Tanzania. The Pare tribe, a significant part of the Pare tribe, upholds traditional practices and cultural knowledge, preserving the region’s sacred forests and promoting medicinal practices.
Activities
Chome Nature Forest Reserve & Shengena Peak
Shengena Peak is the highest mountain in the Pare Mountains, so it is understandably one of the region’s main attractions.
The two-hour drive from the town of Same to Chome Nature Forest Reserve is the route most commonly used to access Shengana Peak. There is also a visitor center for the reserve located just outside of Same. An alternative route to the forest reserve from Makanya approaches from the highway that’s situated to the south of Same.
Chome has two campsites, one of which is located inside the reserve and one of which is situated by the reserve’s entrance. Hikers can also find accommodations at local guest houses in Kisaka and in the other villages that border the reserve.
The hike to the top of Shengena Peak takes an average of six hours to complete. From the summit, hikers can enjoy panoramic views of Mkomazi National Park and Taita Hills, both of which are located across the border in Kenya.
Activities done at Pare Mountains
Bird watching
Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains, including the Southern Pare mountain chain, divide the plateau into the main part of Tanzania and the Mkomazi National Park. The Chome Forest Reserve, a well-studied bird zone, is home to interesting species like Sharpe’s Akalat, Red-capped Forest Warbler, African Tailorbird, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, and Grey Tit-flycatcher, all found near Shengena Peak.
Tanzania is home to the South Pare White-eye, an endemic species of the white-eyes family, which includes over 140 species. The English name reflects its limited range in the Southern Pare Mountains. Identifying these species requires careful observation of their olive-yellow plumage coloration and white ring around eyes.
Hiking
A hike through Pare Mountains takes visitors through local villages and beautiful forests, and offers an opportunity to explore roads less traveled. On the top of Northern Pare Mountains to Kindoroko Forest reserve, Hikes through the mountains can be a day to multi-day trip and can also be combined with a trip to Mkomazi National Park and Lake Jipe.
Cultural activities
Arusha Cultural Tour / Northern Pare Mountains
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in the Northern Pare Mountains, 50 kilometers southeast of Moshi. The town of Mwanga, the district capital, is the gateway to the mountains, where locals cultivate crops and engage in traditional brewing methods. The mountains are fertile, with hand-made dikes, terrace-building, and traditional irrigation systems ensuring efficient cultivation. Protected natural forests and moor lands, often considered clan-forests, offer stunning views of the surrounding plains. Mount Kilimanjaro is easily accessible, and visitors can explore the Mangatu moor land and Mbale clan-forest. The Goma caves tour takes visitors to Goma hill, where Pare chiefs dug deep caves to hide against rival tribes and colonizers.
Usangi Kindoroko Forest Tour:
Via the Goma caves you gradually climb to the forest reserve on Kindoroko mountain. Kindoroko has the shape of a table mountain and once on top you can easily walk through the natural forest, while trying to spot monkeys and special birds. On the other side of the forest you will see stone terraces and irrigation systems in the village of Kisangara juu, before returning to Usangi via a route through the moor land.
Shigatini Village Tour:
Via a natural forest you walk to the village of Shigatini. Here farmers will proudly show you the irrigation systems, soil conservation methods used and tree nurseries they have set up. Old churches and graves of the first missionaries can be visited as reminders of the early German influence.
Kamwala Mountain Climb:
First we pass the Chegho moor land, where Mzee Keiya, an old farmer can tell you some fascinating stories about the miracles that took place here in the past. From here it is a steep climb through a natural forest to the top of Kamwala mountain. On your way up and down you alternately have good views to the plains north and south of the Pare Mountains.
Northern Pare Hikes:
On request, walking tours of several days can be organized, where you can walk long distances through natural forests, descend the mountains and spend a night with a local family in the village of Kisangara chini or visit the further northern spurs of the mountains near the village of Ugweno.
Northern Pare Car-Round Trip:
Via Mwanga you enter the mountains and first go to the Northern spurs, where you stop at the Wara storage lake. From here you turn southwards to Shigatini and Usangi. On your way you have perfect views, visit some progressive farmers and local factories and see several relics from the time of tribal wars and colonial rule. The tour can easily be done as a day-trip from Moshi or Marangu.
Guides:
Our guides all come from the region and speak reasonable English. Most of them are working as farmer or craftsman in the mountains. When there are tourists, the guides can easily find spare time to show the tourists the beauty of the area.
Facilities:
In Usangi, there are several local families that can offer a room to tourists. Most of these families stay at the compound of the Lomwe secondary school, where often one of the family members works as a teacher. The rest house of the school also offers three rooms for visitors. In Kisangara chini, tourists can spend the night at the Enimasha house of the Banduka family. Food can be provided at all of these places and is of good quality and prepared hygienically. In the mountains there are also areas that are suitable for camping.
Development Projects:
Pare, a mountainous region in the Netherlands, is being developed by German, Dutch, and local development organizations. These projects aim to increase agricultural production while preserving the environment. Improvements include improved irrigation systems, soil conservation terraces, and tree nurseries. The tourism program profits are used to promote energy-saving stoves.
