Pande Game Reserve is a hidden gem located near Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania. covering just 15.39 square kilometers, it is the smallest game reserve in the country, situated in the Kinondoni and Ubungo Districts. This unique reserve lies on the city’s edge, surrounded by five villages: Msumi, Msakuzi, Mabwe Pande, Mpiji Magoe, and Mbopo. It is approximately 45 kilometers Northwest from the City center and 16 kilometers from the Indian Ocean, with an elevation ranging from 80 to 186 meters above sea level.
Pande Game Reserve is part of the Eastern Arc Coastal Forest Biodiversity Hotspot, recognized as one of the world’s highest-priority areas for biodiversity conservation. Additionally, it has been designed as an “‘Important Bird Area” by Birdlife International making it a significant spot for birdwatching enthusiasts. The reserve was initially gazetted as a transferring Forest Reserve in 1952, and its conservation status was upgraded to the Game Reserve in 1990, transferring management from the Forest Division to the Tanzania Wildlife Division.
The name “Pande” originates from the Zaramo word “Mabwe Pande,” which means “stones of Pande” in Swahili. This name is a nod to the historical practice of breaking stones into smaller pieces for trade within the reserve. The remnants of this activity have left a lasting impression, giving the area its unique identity. The story of Mabwe Pandde highlights the rich cultural history that coexists with Pande’s natural beauty.
Today, Pande Game Reserve serves not only as a sanctuary for wildlife but also as an accessible escape for the people of Dar es Salaam seeking a connection with nature. With its diverse flora and fauna, this small yet significant reserve plays a vital role in conservation efforts, attracting visitors who wish to experience the beauty of Tanzania’s natural landscape, all just a stone’s throw away from the bustling city.
Climate
Rainfall is bimodal with a period of short rains between October and December and heavy prolonged rains between March and May with mean rainfall of about 1,200 mm per annum. The daily mean temperature is 260C with a seasonal variation of 40C and a daily range of 80C. The highest average temperature during the dry season is 310C.
Since the soil is clay-bound sands, dry season is the best time to visit the reserve. Being small in size, it is very easy to access almost all of its resources by vehicle or on foot, leaving its guests recreationally satisfied.
Wildlife in Pande Game Reserve
Pande Game Reserve is rich in small mammals; especially Baboons, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus monkeys, Galagos, Shrews, Hares, Rodents, and carnivores like Slender Mongoose and African civets. There are also bush pigs, bushbuck forest duikers, Suni, and dik-diks. The reserve is also home to various Amphibians and reptiles which add to its attractions. There are different species of Frogs example, Phrynomantis bifasciatus (Red banded Frog), Reptiles like Chameleon, Tropical house gecko, Agama lizard, Nile monitor lizard, Blind snake, African Rock Python, Twig snake, Sand snake, Forest cobra Green mamba. These amphibians and reptiles are found in the reserve boundary, particularly in areas near dried water pools and around the only water pond.
Vegetation in Pande Game Reserve
The vegetation in Pande Game Reserve is primarily classified as Eastern African coastal scrub forest. This unique forest type features a dance canopy that reaches up to seven meters in height, dominated by woody plants. The forest has few emergent trees, with notable examples like baobab trees (Adansonia digitata) and the Erythrina sacleuxii. The impenetrable thickets formed by climbing plants such as Combretum harrisii, make this forest particularly dense. This type of vegetation is the most widespread in Pande Game Reserve. Additionally, there are several plants species of conservation concern that are strictly endemic to Pande, including Tricalysia bridsoniana var. pandensis, Shirakiopsis spps and Leptactina spps. The natural forest is vital for biodiversity conservation and the overall ecosystem. It also serves as an important site for research, with students from various institutions including medical schools, visiting Pande for studies on medicinal plants and ecological research.
Birdlife in Pande Game Reserve
Pande Game Reserve boasts around 20 percent of bird species that are endemic to the East African Coastal Forest. additionally, it is home to 47 percent of coastal forest near-endemic bird species. Notable birds found in the reserve include African broadbill, Rattling cisticola, Falcons, Garden warbler, Doves, Gabon Nightjar, white-browed coucal, Sunbirds, Guineafowls and Francolins. Interestingly, many bird species in Pande are not forest-dependent, considering that the reserve itself is relatively small and surrounded by villages. This mix of avian life makes birdwatching a rewarding experience for visitors to Pande Game Reserve.
Tourist activities to do
Game drives
Game drives in Pande Game Reserve offer an exciting opportunity to observe various wildlife species in their natural habitat. During your game drive tours, you will have the chance to spot small mammals, reptiles, and larger animals like bush bucks and duikers. The experience is enriched by the knowledgeable guided sharing of insights about the ecosystem and animals’ behaviors
Bird watching
Birding is another important activity conducted within this Reserve. with around 20 percent of species endemic to the East African Coastal Forest. While on your birdwatching tour, you will have the opportunity to spot the African broadbill, Rattling cisticola, Falcons, Garden warbler, Doves, Gabon Nightjar, white-browed coucal, Sunbirds, Guineafowls, and Francolins among others.
Nature walking safaris
Nature walking safaris at Pande Game Reserve provide an immersive experience in the local environment. Accompanied by trained guides, visitors traverse the lush trails, encountering diverse flora and fauna up close. This activity promotes a deeper appreciation of the intricate relationships within the ecosystem and allows for serene moments in nature.
Camping
Camping at Pande Game Reserve offers an adventurous way to connect with nature. Visitors can set up tents in designated areas surrounded by the sounds of wildlife. Evening gatherings around a campfire provide opportunities for storytelling and stargazing, creating lasting memories in a picturesque setting far from city life.
Nature trails cycling
Nature trail cycling in Pande is an exhilarating way to explore the reserve’s diverse landscape. Biking along well-maintained paths allows visitors to cover more ground while enjoying the beautiful scenery, riders can encounter various wildlife and experience the forest’s tranquillity, ensuring a memorable and active adventure in the reserve.
Getting to Pande Game Reserve
The Reserve can easily be accessed by roads from Bagamoyo Road via Bunju B for about 8 kilometers or from Morogoro Road via Mbezi kwa Yusuph for about 16 kilometers.
