Rau Nature Forest Reserve Description
Rau Forest Reserve is located close to Moshi town, about 2km from the entry gate. The forest reserve connects you with nature and is blessed with many attractions and services, including varieties of flora and fauna species found inside the closed canopy forest, a huge tree and the biggest tree in East Africa (mvule), which drives large numbers of visitors within and outside of the country, unique and endemic trees such as Oxystigma msoo, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, dik-dik, milk spring water, birds, butterflies, rice fields adjacent to the forest, which makes the forest more attractive, and a picnic site found in the Rau forest reserve.
Silently walking in the forest makes you lose your mind and find your soul while at the same time hearing your breathing rates. Rau Forest Reserve acts as fuel for the tourists who are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Botanically known as Excelsa
TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
Rau Forest Reserve has 71 varieties of tree species, including unique and endemic trees like Oxystigma msoo, Kilimanjaro mahogany, Lovoaswynnertonii , Milicia execls, etc. 50 fauna species, including black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, antelopes, warthogs, dik-dik, etc.
Also, more than 15 birds are found in the Rau Forest Reserve, like the African spoonbill. There are also a variety of butterfly species found in Rau Forest, like the common mother of pearl, gold-handed forester, etc. Bees such as Apis mellifera Adansonia, stingless bees (Mellipolina), and Forest Marsh Snake.
ACTIVITIES
Tourism activities which can be performed in the reserve include: nature walking, hiking, cycling, bird watching, butterfly watching, photographing and filming, animal viewing, research and studying, worshipping, viewing Rau river, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Moshi town and rice farm tour
- Tourism activities that can be performed in the reserve include:
- Nature walking
- Hiking
- Cycling,
- bird watching,
- Butterfly watching
- Photographing and filming,
- Animal viewing
- Research and studying,
- Worshipping
- Viewing the Rau River
- Mt. Kilimanjaro,
- Moshi town rice farm tour.