The Moribane Forest Reserve ( Portuguese: Reserva Florestal de Moribane) which was proclaimed in 1957, is a natural forest in the buffer zone of the 640 km² Chimanimani National Reserve, and is situated 24 km north of Dombé, in Sussundenga District of central

Mozambique Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, is a country located in Southeast Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and Eswatini and South Afr ...

. The mid- to low-elevation tropical rain forest covers hilly country, from 400 to 550 metres in elevation, on the eastern verges of the largest southern African forest of this type, altogether 820 km² in extent. It can be reached using public transport from Sussundenga.

Flora and fauna

Flora

Müller et al. (2005) described two main vegetation types, namely a) moist, evergreen forest dominated by Forest newtonia ''(Newtonia buchananii)'', Chirinda stinkwood ''(Celtis mildbraedii)'', Forest ordeal tree ''(Erythrophleum suaveolens)'', and Panga-panga ''(Millettia stuhlmannii)'', and b) transitional forest on the northern verge of the forest, where the predominant species were Winged bersama ''(Bersama abyssinica)'', Panga-panga, Two-winged pteleopsis ''(Pteliopsis myrtifolia)'', Toad-tree ''(Tabernaemontana elegans)'', and Bushveld bitterwood ''(Xylopia longipetala)''.

Fauna

Native mammals include Bush elephant, Bushbuck, Red duiker, Samango monkey, Bushpig and several species of small carnivore.

History

Moribane forest was intensively exploited from the early 20th century onwards, initially for natural rubber derived from Rubber vine, and subsequently for its native timber species, namely Red mahogany, Iroko and Panga-panga. As the 21st century approached, it was damaged by wildfires and shifting agriculture. Despite past overexploitation, the widespread occurrence of saplings of Stem-fruit miraculous-berry, Forest newtonia, Iroko, Panga-panga and Forest ordeal tree, gives reason for hope that it will naturally regenerate. Renamo had a stronghold in the area during the

Mozambican Civil War The Mozambican Civil War () was a civil war fought in Mozambique from 1977 to 1992 due to a combination of local strife and the polarizing effects of Cold War politics. The fighting was between Mozambique's ruling Marxist Front for the Liberat ...

. By the end of the war in 1992 the forest was largely intact, but its Bush elephant population was reduced. While the local people had earlier observed taboos on hunting of elephant, they now had concerns about the recovering elephant population. Chief Mpunga argued that the relation between elephants and humans was spiritual, and people subsequently moved out of the area frequented by the elephants.

Facilities

Ndzou (i.e. Elephant) camp is a joint venture between Eco-Micaia and the local community, which offers guided walks, and a chance of tracking of the shy, forest-living Bush elephants with a local guide. A number of forest trails can be taken from Ndzou camp or Mpunga ranger camp, varying from 4 to 12 km in length. The Mpunga ranger camp, located 3 km to the south of Ndzou, caters only for visitors who bring their own tents and camping gear, and who are self-sufficient in terms of food. Ndzou has thatched rondavels, tents, a three-bedroom house, restaurant and bar.

Site locations

* Moribane forest track * Mt Chinhaunguri * Mpunga ranger & community camp * Mpunga-Chinda-Zinguena communities * Ndzou camp * Picada da dona Candida track * "Ponta de Deus" * Tava marsh

References

External links

Photo of Moribane Forest
S Dondeyne, 2009, Panoramio
Plant records, Moribane forest
Flora of Mozambique {{coordinates, 19, 46, 52, S, 33, 18, 08, E, region:MZ_type:landmark, display=title, name=Moribane Forest Manica Province Southern Zanzibar–Inhambane coastal forest mosaic Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests Protected areas of Mozambique