This is a tropical rainforest located remotely in the east mountains in northeast Tanzania. the estate is 850m above sea level where temperatures are pleasant all year long. The nature and vegetation of the area are amazingly beautiful blessed with its altitude, rare plants and bird species, a manmade lake, and waterfalls nearby this estate has plenty of interesting things to do making it a perfect getaway spot for outdoor adventures and camping.
Things you can do at Magoroto Forest:
- Mountain Biking:
Being situated in the east Usambara mountains there is a variety of biking trails passing through the rainforest and the access roads of what used to be palm plantations. You will have to choose a trail that you’re your fitness level.
- Mountain Hiking:
The forest has eight documented hiking trails with different levels of difficulty you can choose from, this trails pass through a number of attractions all ending in picturesque viewing points.
- Swimming:
Magoroto has a manmade 12 meters’ deep lake dug up in the year 1956 by the Swiss. With fresh waters being fed in by natural springs. this lake is a great swimming spot providing a great experience.
- Picnic at the lake:
Having a meal on a great wooden bench overlooking the lake can be the peace you be longing for.
- Fishing:
Fishing is a great experience but the possibility of catching and having a tilapia barbeque makes it much more satisfactory. Tilapia and catfish are present in the lake.
- Bird Watching:
Magoroto Forest is designated as an IBA (Important Bird Area) and is populated by numerous bird species.
- Forest Walk:
With the dense rainforest, you can walk through the forest and explore nature and its vegetation
- Spice Tour:
Cardamom, Black Pepper, and Cloves are among the many spices that flourish in the Magoroto Estate. A spice tour gives you an opportunity to learn more about spices, and how they are grown and processed.
- Camping:
This is the best way to truly connect with nature, you can either camp by the lakeside or camp by the main house garden either way you will have stunning morning views
- BBQ:
Every Saturday is a BBQ night at Magoroto. With Beef, Mbuzi, Chicken, or Fish available on the menu you can order and enjoy your BBQ with a cold beer at the lakeside.
- Factory Tour:
This tour gives you an opportunity to go back into history and learn about Magoroto. These 591 hectares of forest estate have a lot of history. It was opened up by German settlers in 1896 long before Tanzania got independence and a long way after
Best time to visit Magoroto:
Tanzania's dry season from June to October is the best time to visit, dry and sunny weather suits perfectly the activities and environment there, however, there are also dry spells from February to march. April to May is a period you should ignore as it is the rainy season.
Getting to Magoroto forest:
You can get to the majority forest by hiring a private vehicle from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Moshi, or Tanga to the estate however you can also take a bus to Muheza where you will then hire private transport to the estate.
Tip: The estate is in Tanga, a region that is between Arusha (safari hub), Moshi (Kilimanjaro hike hub), and Zanzibar. So you can fit a visit between a safari and a beach stay.