Tabora emerging as leader in historical, forest eco-tourism
TABORA: MINISTRY of Natural Resources and Tourism under the Department of Antiquities, plans to clearly identify and promote historical tourist attractions in the Tabora Region, including the Dr David Livingstone Museum, so that they become internationally recognized tourism destinations and contribute to the economic growth of the tourism sector.
The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, made these remarks recently in Tabora during the World Bee Day celebrations, following a request from Tabora Urban Member of Parliament Hawa Mwaifunga for the development of historical tourism attractions.
Dr Kijaji said the work has already begun to ensure that the historical sites found in the region are internationally recognised as tourist attractions, enabling local residents to benefit economically from Tabora’s rich history.
“I would like to assure you that our Department of Antiquities will be in Tabora next week to continue the work they have already started, so that these historical sites can be promoted globally as tourist attractions,” emphasized Dr Kijaji.
The historical attractions mentioned include the Old Town of Tabora, the Dr David Livingstone Museum, Livingstone’s Well, the German Boma, old Arab houses, ancient caravan routes, and the historic town of Uyui (Kazeh) Historic Site.
In another development, the Chief Conservator of the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), Aloyce Kilemwa, said that TFS in Tabora District has allocated 77m/- in the 2026/2027 financial year to establish a special eco-tourism attraction at the Igombe Forest Reserve, which contains a dam within the forest.
Mr Kilemwa, who is the District Forest Conservator for Tabora, said that in the 2025/2026 financial year, 20m/- had already been allocated to facilitate preliminary preparations.
“TFS Tabora District aims to establish a special eco-tourism area where people can visit and relax within the forest reserve,” said Kilemwa.
He explained that the reserve is an important area for eco-tourism and that special facilities will be established, including visitor reception areas and other environmentally friendly services that support ecological conservation. Special walking trails will also be developed around the dam and on the hills located within the Igombe Forest Reserve.
Kilemwa added that visitors will have opportunities for boating using paddles, fishing, viewing small animals such as monkeys and dik-diks, bird watching, beekeeping activities, and even bee therapy services aimed at improving human body wellness.
TFS Tourism Officer Elisa Evarister said that the Igombe Dam, which has a circumference of approximately 12 kilometres and a water depth of about five meters, was established in 1958 by the British Governor Sir Edward Twining for the purpose of supplying water to the town of Tabora, now a municipality.
