Southern Pare Mountains

The Southern Pare Mountains are a prominent mountain range situated entirely within the Same District of the Kilimanjaro Region in northeastern Tanzania. They form a significant part of the ancient Eastern Arc Mountains, a chain that extends from southeastern Kenya into Tanzania. The range culminates at Shengena Peak, which reaches an altitude of 2,463 meters (8,081 feet) and stands as the highest point within the Pare Mountains. The area is characterized by a substantial population, with approximately 94,837 inhabitants spread across 49 villages in the highlands.The diverse terrain of the Southern Pare Mountains encompasses a variety of forest habitats, including sub-montane, montane, and upper montane forests, alongside areas of montane heath, particularly within the Chome Nature Reserve. This reserve alone spans 14,283 hectares (35,294 acres) and includes the majestic Shengena Peak. Geologically, these mountains are distinct and considerably older than Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, with their current form having developed around 25 million years ago. The region's flora includes species like *Parinari excelsa* in sub-montane zones and *Ocotea usambarensis*, *Albizia gummifera*, and *Podocarpus latifolius* in montane forests. The mountains receive an average of 140 cm (55 inches) of rainfall annually, primarily during two distinct rainy seasons.While the biodiversity is considered moderate, the Southern Pare Mountains are home to the strictly endemic South Pare white-eye (*Zosterops winifredae*), a vertebrate species unique to the Eastern Arc Mountains. Other avian residents include the mountain buzzard, olive woodpecker, moustached tinkerbird, and African hill babbler. The forests also support a range of mammals such as genets, civets, mongoose, Syke's monkeys, hyraxes, duikers, bushbucks, yellow baboons, and various rodents.The mountains offer unique trekking opportunities through local villages and pristine forests, appealing to those seeking less-traveled paths. The indigenous Pare tribe, also known as the Wapare, has resided in these mountains for at least 500 years, maintaining their traditional way of life and cultural practices, which include the use of plants for medicinal and cultural purposes, contributing to forest conservation. Key attractions and activities include hiking to Shengena Peak, exploring the historical Mghimbi Caves and Malameni Rock, visiting Mpepera Viewpoint, Ranzi Dam, and Thornton Falls, and engaging in cultural tours that highlight the local heritage and early missionary history, such as the Lutheran mission established by Jakob Dannholz in Mbaga in 1902.