25 Kibwe/Kingalu Road, Forest Hill Area, P.O. Box 6053, 67109 Morogoro, Tanzania eamcef@easternarc.or.tz

Udzungwa Guide Association Boosts Ecotourism and Community Development in Tanzania

Udzungwa Guide Association is a dynamic ecotourism group that has become a catalyst for sustainable tourism and rural development around the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Established in 2020 following a three-day training funded by the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF), the Udzungwa Guide Association was inspired by experienced tour guides from Kilimanjaro. With a membership of 15, including two women from nearby villages, the association is dedicated to enhancing ecotourism services and uplifting local communities.

The Udzungwa Guide Association has diversified its activities by engaging in greenhouse farming, producing Chinese cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, and cucumbers. These vegetables are sold to local hotels and used in a container restaurant within the park, also funded by EAMCEF. This initiative has strengthened tourism infrastructure while creating reliable income for members.

Beyond tourism and agriculture, the Udzungwa Guide Association also leads conservation education in surrounding villages, raising awareness about forest protection and discouraging harmful environmental practices. The group has initiated an interest-free loan program, saving 15% of its income to support members, and has generated over 100 million Tanzanian shillings in revenue since its founding.

The success of the Udzungwa Guide Association highlights the power of community-driven tourism. Through employment creation, improved ecotourism services, and environmental education, the association continues to transform both the tourism landscape and the livelihoods of people living near the Udzungwa Mountains.

Story Details

  • Location:
    Udzungwa Mountains National Park,  Kilombero District
  • District Surrounding Forest:
    Kilombero Nature Forest Reserve

KEY DATA

  • 15 community groups have been established and directly benefited from the project.

  • 9 protected areas have been actively supported through tourism and conservation efforts.

  • 32,867 tourists have been guided by trained community members, enhancing local ecotourism.

  • 144 community members have been engaged in various project activities, including guiding, farming, and conservation outreach.

  • TZS 100.1 million has been generated through tourism-related initiatives, directly supporting participating community members.

With EAMCEF’s support, we trained as Udzungwa guides in 2020, forming a 15-member team, including two women. We now provide quality tours, educate locals on conservation, and save 15% of our income for loans, having collected over 100 million TZS. Our work promotes Udzungwa Mountains National Park while preserving its beauty for future generations.

Benard Fredrick

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