Chome

Chome Nature Forest Reserve protects 14,283 hectares of montane rainforest in the South Pare Mountains of Tanzania's Kilimanjaro Region. Originally declared as a forest reserve in 1957, it was upgraded to Nature Forest Reserve status in 2016 to strengthen conservation protections for its exceptional biodiversity. The reserve includes the highest peak of the South Pare range, Mount Shengena, which rises to 2,463 meters above sea level, and extends down to approximately 1,250 meters on its eastern slopes. Like the neighboring Usambara Mountains, the South Pare range belongs to the ancient Eastern Arc chain, recognized globally as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on Earth. Managed by the Tanzania Forest Services Agency, Chome preserves a critical fragment of Afromontane forest that supports numerous endemic and endangered species within a landscape increasingly dominated by agriculture.

Chome harbors a notable assemblage of Eastern Arc endemic and near-endemic animals. Primates include the Angolan pied colobus and blue monkey, along with the nocturnal Zanzibar lesser galago. The vulnerable black-and-rufous elephant shrew, a member of the ancient Afrotherian order found only in the Eastern Arc Mountains, inhabits the forest floor. Bushpig are present in the undergrowth. The reptile fauna includes the chameleon Rhampholeon viridis, adapted to life in the cool montane forest. Birdwatching is a primary attraction, with approximately 90 bird species recorded, and experienced guides can identify over 43 species in a single birding excursion. The forest supports populations of numerous butterflies and moths, many with restricted ranges tied to the Eastern Arc forests. Amphibians are diverse, benefiting from the consistently moist forest conditions. The reserve's long isolation on the South Pare ridge has allowed speciation to produce organisms found nowhere else in the world.

The reserve protects Afromontane rainforest spanning an elevational gradient from 1,250 to 2,463 meters. At higher elevations, upper montane forest and elfin cloud forest dominate, with gnarled, lichen-draped trees and a rich epiphyte community including orchids, ferns, and mosses. Mid-elevation slopes support tall canopy forest with diverse tree species characteristic of the Eastern Arc. Lower transitional zones grade into drier woodland. The long stretch of the reserve, extending over 67 kilometers, encompasses considerable habitat variation from east-facing slopes that intercept Indian Ocean moisture to drier western aspects. The Eastern Arc forests are noted for exceptionally high levels of plant endemism, and Chome contributes to this pattern with species found only in the South Pare Mountains. Tree ferns are conspicuous in the understory of wetter areas. Epiphytic orchids are particularly diverse, with multiple species recorded from the reserve's moss-draped montane forest.

The South Pare Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc, a chain of ancient crystalline block mountains that formed over 100 million years ago from uplifted Precambrian metamorphic rocks. Unlike the nearby volcanic peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, the Pare range consists of heavily folded gneisses, schists, and granulites that represent some of the oldest exposed rock in East Africa. Mount Shengena, the reserve's highest point, is composed of these ancient metamorphic formations. The mountains were uplifted along fault lines related to the development of the East African Rift system but are themselves far older than the rift. Deep tropical weathering has produced nutrient-poor but well-structured soils that support the montane forest. The steeply dissected terrain creates numerous streams and gullies that drain into the lowlands surrounding the range. This ancient geological stability has allowed forest to persist continuously through millions of years of climate fluctuation, promoting the evolution of endemic species.

Chome experiences a tropical montane climate with strong altitudinal gradients in temperature and rainfall. The eastern slopes intercept moisture-laden air masses from the Indian Ocean, generating substantial orographic rainfall that supports the dense forest. Annual precipitation varies from approximately 1,200 millimeters on the lower slopes to over 2,000 millimeters near the summit ridge. The reserve experiences two rainy seasons: long rains from March to May and shorter rains from October to December. Temperatures decrease with elevation, with the summit area of Mount Shengena experiencing cool conditions year-round, with averages between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius. The lower slopes are warmer, typically ranging from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. Cloud and fog immersion is frequent at higher elevations, providing additional moisture beyond direct rainfall and sustaining the characteristic moss-draped cloud forest. Frost may occur at the highest elevations during the dry season.

The South Pare Mountains have been inhabited by the Pare people for centuries, who developed terraced agriculture on the mountain slopes and maintained complex social structures organized around clans and chieftainships. The Pare utilized forest resources for construction, medicine, and ritual purposes while maintaining traditional conservation practices that limited overexploitation. During the German colonial period beginning in the 1890s, the region came under external administration, and commercial interests promoted timber extraction and plantation agriculture. British administration from 1919 continued to regulate forest use, establishing the original Chome Forest Reserve in 1957. After Tanzanian independence in 1961, population growth in the surrounding lowlands and on the mountain slopes increased pressure on forest resources. Community dependence on the forest for water, fuel, firewood, and building materials has made conservation a matter of balancing ecological protection with human livelihoods.

The original Chome Forest Reserve was declared in 1957 under British colonial administration to protect the water catchment functions of the South Pare Mountain forests. For decades, the reserve operated under basic forestry regulations that permitted some extractive use while restricting wholesale clearance. Recognition of the Eastern Arc Mountains as a global biodiversity hotspot in the 1990s brought new attention to the South Pare forests. Conservation assessments documented the exceptional levels of endemism present and identified threats from encroachment and degradation. In 2015, projects were launched to protect Chome's biodiversity, supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and implemented by conservation organizations. In 2016, the Tanzanian government upgraded the reserve's status from Forest Reserve to Nature Forest Reserve, providing stronger legal protections under the management of the Tanzania Forest Services Agency. This elevated status restricts extractive activities and prioritizes biodiversity conservation and ecotourism development.

Chome offers hiking trails that ascend through montane rainforest to the summit of Mount Shengena, the highest point in the South Pare Mountains at 2,463 meters. The summit trail passes through multiple forest zones, from lower montane forest through upper montane cloud forest draped in moss and epiphytes. Birdwatching is a primary attraction, with guided birding walks targeting the reserve's approximately 90 recorded species across varied forest habitats. The reserve's primates, including Angolan pied colobus and blue monkey troops, are frequently encountered along forest trails. Waterfalls and stream crossings add scenic interest to longer hikes. The eastern slopes offer views across the lowlands toward the coast on clear days. Cultural visits to surrounding Pare communities can complement forest excursions, providing insights into traditional agricultural practices and cultural heritage. Two campsites are available, one inside the reserve and one near the entrance, each equipped with basic toilet and shower facilities.

Chome Nature Forest Reserve is accessible from Same town in the Kilimanjaro Region, which lies along the main highway connecting Arusha and Dar es Salaam. From Same, unpaved roads lead to the reserve entrance, with four-wheel drive recommended particularly during the rainy season. The reserve has two established campsites with basic amenities including pit latrines and bucket showers. No permanent lodge accommodation exists within the reserve, though Same town offers guesthouses and basic hotels. Guided hikes can be arranged through the Tanzania Forest Services Agency office. Visitors should bring their own food, water purification, and camping equipment. The nearest major centers are Moshi and Arusha, both several hours' drive to the north, where comprehensive tourism services are available. The dry season months of June through October offer the most reliable trekking conditions, though birdwatching may be more productive during the wetter months when migratory species are present.

Chome faces significant conservation pressures despite its upgraded protected status. Agricultural encroachment on the forest margins remains the primary threat, as the surrounding Pare population depends on mountain slopes for cultivation. Illegal logging for timber and firewood extraction continues in some areas. Forest fires, sometimes started to clear agricultural land, damage forest edges and degrade understory habitats. The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund has supported conservation projects focused on participatory forest management and alternative livelihood development for forest-adjacent communities. Community forest monitors assist Tanzania Forest Services Agency staff in patrolling the reserve boundaries. Tree nurseries producing indigenous species support reforestation of degraded areas. Environmental education programs engage local schools in conservation awareness. The reserve's importance extends beyond biodiversity to include water catchment services that supply downstream communities, providing an economic argument for forest protection that resonates with local stakeholders.