*Largest Botanical Gardens in Africa
Amani Nature reserve (ANR) has been termed as the "Last Paradise" it is a paradise of nature in the sense that the flora and fauna are unique. The species composition is very diverse with a complex structure very large and Tall trees (over 60 metres) exist throughout the ANR while below then many different types of plant species including climbers parasitic plants bryophytes, epiphytes and lianas being supported by tall trees. These characteristics make ANR a suitable area for Eco-tourism whereby it could be utilized for human pleasure by undertaking activities such as game viewing enjoying natural beauty or site seeing, hiking, camping, walking, picnics boating fishmg and learning while
maintaining sound ecological processes and stability of the area.
The Amani Nature Reserve Includes also one of the largest Botanical Gardens in Africa. This garden was started by the Germans in 1902 including the first tree nursery in Tanganyika. The Amani Botanical Gardens (ABG) occupies an area of 350 hectares, The German planted about 900 different tree species both indigenous and exotics from different parts of the World. Thus ANR is centre for biological diversity. The floristic composition is very diverse and there are 2012 vascular plants species per Ha. Thus a large proposition of the endemic species are found within ANR.
International Council for Bird Preservation (ICBP) has classified both the submontane and lowland forests of the East Usambara as Endemic Bird Areas (EBA). Thirteen globally endangered species of birds are found there, of which most are endemic to either the East Usambara or one or few other Eastern Arc forests or the East African coastal forests. The Eastern Arc mountains have been identified as one of the three most important sites in Africa for endemic birds and the most important site in Africa for globally threatened bird species e.g. long billed tailorbird (long-billed Apalis sp.), Usambara eagle owl (Bubo vosseleri sp.) etc.
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