Tanzania is located on the East coast of Africa and borders 8 other African countries. Whilst the political capital is Dodoma, located in the centre of the country, Dar Es Salaam is very much the commercial capital. We will explore some of the remaining forests in southern Tanzania. These forests are complex ecosystems confined only to national parks and other protected areas.

Uluguru Mountains

The Uluguru Mountains in eastern Tanzania are one of the most important mountains in Africa for the conservation of biological diversity. Overlooking the agricultural area around Morogoro, the Uluguru Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc range and are named after the Luguru tribe, a matrilineal group that farms on its verdant slopes. The area has some of the oldest forest in Africa, and because the ecosystem has remained undisturbed by climactic and geographical changes for an estimated 25 million years, hiking in the area is particularly rewarding. A plethora of endemic reptile species is found here.

Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park abuts the northern border of Africa's biggest game reserve - the Selous – and is transected by the surfaced road between Dar Es Salaam and Iringa. It is thus the most accessible part of a 75,000 square kilometer (47,000 square mile) tract of wilderness that stretches east almost as far as the Indian Ocean. The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centerpiece of Mikumi, draw frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains. Lions survey their grassy kingdom – and the zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo herds that migrate across it – from the flattened tops of termite mounds, or sometimes, during the rains, from perches high in the trees. Giraffes forage in the isolated acacia stands that fringe the Mkata River, islets of shade favoured also by Mikumi's elephants. Very little is know about the occurring reptiles and amphibians since the main focus of researchers is mammals and birds.

Lake Nyasa & the Livingstone Mountains

The lake Nyasa (Nyasa means "lake") or Lake Malawi is located at the southwest of Tanzania and is bordered by three countries; Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique. It is the third largest in Africa with 550 kilometers length and 75 kilometers width. In some parts, the lake is as deep as 700 meters. Lake Nyasa is rich in crocodiles is biologically the most diverse lake, containing approximately 30% of world's cichlid species. The lake is sided by the forested Livingstone Mountains. These mountains form the high ground along the northeast coast of Lake Nyasa. The escarpment, rising to 2,488 m within only 4 km of the Lake, is steep, largely inaccessible and virtually uninhabited.

Mporoto Ridge Forest Reserve

This reserve is located in the western end of the Poroto Mountains, about 10 km from Mbeya city. It runs 18 km E-W along the Poroto ridge with most of the forest lying on south facing slopes. The Mwatisi River traces part of the eastern boundary out. This reserve contains Upper Montane forest, large stands of bamboo, a few small grassy glades and a large volcanic caldera in the east, containing the impressive "Ngozi Crater Lake". The forest has been heavily disturbed in many places and is often secondary growth. The bamboo is found mostly in a band that runs through the middle of the reserve (near the ridge) and just east of the caldera. The caldera, aside from the lake, contains heavy forest, some bamboo, and grasses on its steep inner slopes.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is Tanzania's 2nd largest national park but is second to none in species diversity due to its unique location between hemispheres. Apart from the park's diverse mammal species over 500 species of birds are known. Reptiles have been poorly researched.The Great Ruaha River is the main feature of the park, and meanders through its borders. Most of the national park is located on the top of a 900 meter plateau whose ripples of hills, valleys, and plains makes this area beautifully unique. Small mountains run along the southwest borders of the park and their tree-covered slopes are visible in the distance.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Udzungwa is the largest and most biodiverse of a chain of a dozen large forest-swathed mountains that rise majestically from the flat coastal scrub of eastern Tanzania. Known collectively as the Eastern Arc Mountains, this archipelago of isolated massifs has also been dubbed the African Galapagos for its treasure-trove of endemic plants and animals. Udzungwa alone among the ancient ranges of the Eastern Arc has been accorded national park status. It is also unique within Tanzania in that its closed-canopy forest spans altitudes of 250 metres (820 feet) to above 2,000 metres (6,560 ft) without interruption.