Ecotourism infrastructure in the Eastern Arc Mountain

Ecotourism infrastructure in the Eastern Arc Mountains has been significantly improved thanks to the efforts of the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF). Through targeted investments in forest reserves such as Mkingu, Uluguru, and Udzungwa Mountains National Park, EAMCEF is enhancing tourism experiences while protecting the region’s rich biodiversity.

To strengthen ecotourism infrastructure in the Eastern Arc Mountains, EAMCEF has implemented several key projects. These include clearing and maintaining reserve boundaries to prevent forest fires from nearby farmland and constructing essential visitor facilities such as rest shelters and toilets. In the Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve, they built 280 steps leading to the iconic Hululu waterfalls, greatly improving access and safety for tourists.

The organization also upgraded campsites and cleared hiking trails, allowing tourists to explore the lush forests with ease. At Udzungwa Mountains National Park, EAMCEF established a new restaurant and campsite, benefiting both visitors and park staff while creating new income opportunities for surrounding communities.

A crucial aspect of improving ecotourism infrastructure in the Eastern Arc Mountains is empowering local tour guides. EAMCEF has provided them with training, uniforms, and professional resources to elevate the quality of their services. These combined efforts have not only improved visitor experience but also supported conservation and local livelihoods.

Thanks to EAMCEF’s commitment to enhancing ecotourism infrastructure in the Eastern Arc Mountains, the region now offers safer, cleaner, and more engaging tourism experiences—while reinforcing environmental protection and sustainable development.

KEY DATA

9 protected areas were supported.
TZS 1.6 billion in revenue was generated.
293 beacons were installed.
745 km of nature and drive trails were maintained.
84 staff were involved.
32,867 tourists visited the protected areas.
37 campsites were rehabilitated.

Thanks to EAMCEF’s support, I’ve been able to lead tourists more effectively and contribute to forest conservation efforts. The upgrades to Bunduki Campsite have been crucial—they’ve built toilets for visitors, resting shelters, and 280 steps that make the journey to Hululu waterfalls much safer and easier. EAMCEF has also established boundaries to prevent fires from spreading from nearby farmland into the forest, helping us protect this precious environment. These improvements mean I can provide a higher standard of guidance to visitors, and our community has become much more aware of the importance of conservation and sustainable tourism. On a personal note, I have planted about 800-900 trees in various areas. This allows me to meet essential needs, as I can use some trees for firewood or sell them when in need. This tree-planting initiative has also greatly benefited our community, reducing the pressure on the forest and helping us sustainably manage our resources.”

Jemsi Tenesfoli Mapua

This project has encouraged villagers to participate in protection of Nilo Forests, villagers formed environmental committees and participate actively in forest patrols once per week. In the past, we could conduct patrols only once or none per month. We were so happy, and still so to see EAMCEF supporting school construction. Through conservation education provided by EAMCEF, each villager is now a protector of the forest.

ADAM BAKARI MBIU (Secretary, School Construction Committee)

The working environment is now conducive, the head teacher has his own office, pupils too have their own rooms. We can see performance of pupils has changed since then. The forest is now free from destruction since parents are no longer invading it for ‘money’.

OMARI IDDI MWANGIA (Assistant Head Teacher, Kazita Primary School)

KEY DATA

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