The Mahenge massif rises up to 1,040m altitude. It is entirely located within Ulanga District in Morogoro Region. The population of Mahenge is about 32,000 people. The Mahenge mountains contain 7 catchment forest reserves (Ligamba, Mahenge scarp, Mselezi, Muhulu, Myoe, Nawenge, Sali), covering some 4,956 ha.
These reserves contain lowland, sub-montane and some montane forest, although most of the forests are small and often heavily degraded.
In terms of biodiversity value the Mahenge massif has relatively low value with 0 strict endemic vertebrates, 2 Eastern Arc endemic vertebrates and 5 Eastern Arc endemic trees. However, not all the forests have been surveyed, with the most intensive programme being undertaken by Frontier-Tanzania between 2000 and 2003.