Cultural and Historical Sites:
Many of the Cultural and Historical sites have been neglected and do not reflect their historical importance and little can be seen at the moment. However some efforts are underway to rehabilitate those deemed important places (e.g ritual sites) according to Wasambaa tribe traditions and- beliefs important places outside the ANR (e.g. in adjacent village) be identified mapped and document as possible areas of interest for the visitors to see. During the participators analysis exercise some sixteen village cultural sites were identified which in the past were used as places for worships and for conducting other ritual ceremonies (e.g. rain making ceremonies) such areas were highly respected by the villagers and management was the responsibility of the ruling clan ‘WAKILINDI’ who in most cases performed the ceremonies. Recently it has been established that only the ‘TARAGUNDA’ cultural site in the ‘Kwagunda’ village is still operating the area has been protected by planting ‘Dracaena Usambarensis’.
Other areas of historical interest include the archeological evidence of the iron age settlement which dates back to 100 and 400 AD. An example of this is the
fortified hill at Ndola where some remains of settlement could be seen. The old and ancient structure (e.g caves), which were used for defense during the time of tribal was also could be an attraction to tourists. Further more there is an old German Hospital and Doctors grave yard and these could be observed while walking along the Derema Trail (T.6) including the highest peak in the area.
The Amani Research centre which was established by Germans in 1893 as a health centre with a small botanical Garden is Currently used for medical Research work is a place of Historical interest. The centre is also part of Amani botanical Garden containing a wide range of indigenous and exotic species. Within the ANR are two enclaves which houses the tea estates, Laborers camps and two villages namely Mleza and Mikwinini. Thus the enclaves are another important aspect for tourist attractions.
Educational Use (Biodiversity Training):
The ANR is an exceptional place for biodiversity training research and Scientific studies. It is a university of its kind and always nature is the beast learning ground on earth. At the National level ANR has been very instrumental in training of indigenous experts. The Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) uses the ANR as a training field. The same applies to the University of Dar es salaam and the forestry Training Institute of Olmontony Arusha. The ANR has been used for short and long term research programmes for forestry, botany. Zoology, ecology and social anthropology, it includes aspect of long term biodiversity and ecological monitoring.
Internationally ANR has been used as a source of knowledge. Examples of this include 24 Americans despite of studying about primates, spent two days at Amani studying aspects of nature conservation and biodiversity. During the month of march 1996 ANR hosted a group of 29 Americans who came for biodiversity training. A one week field camp training on plant conservation techniques for East Africa was conducted by the Royal botanic gardens Kew in association with the National Museums of Kenya was held at ANR and fifteen participants from East Africa attended the training.
These Examples indicate the importance of the ANR not only for eco tourism and economic development but also for generating relevant knowledge and information deemed necessary for our Sustainable development and survival.
How to Get There:
Amani Nature Resource can be reached either from Dar es salaam Tanzania’s Capital city and main business centers situated on the Indian Ocean in the East or from Arusha city and Moshi municipal centre in the Northern curcuit where
in both cases accessibility is good. Driving from Dar es salaam to Tanga takes about four to five hours and from Arusha it takes five to six hours using hired or personal driven cars. With public transport it may take more hours than indicated ones.
The road to ANR branches off at Muheza urban centre, which is also the Muheza District headquarters. The road is about 35 km to Amani. Although it is pass able but it is not in very good conditions hence four wheel drive vehicle with high clearance are highly recommended.
Currently entry fees at ANR are 10 USD per person and children below 18 years pay half and it is free for those below five years. For guided walk the cost is 15 USD per day. Vehicles are charged 10 USD for less than two tones and 15 USD for those above two tons. These charges are subject to changes without notice.