Rufiji-Mafia-Kibiti-Kilwa Biosphere Reserve (RUMAKI of Tanzania)_World Congress of Biosphere Reserves（WCBR）

World Congress of Biosphere Reserves（WCBR）>Discover UNESCO Biosphere Reserves>2023

Rufiji-Mafia-Kibiti-Kilwa Biosphere Reserve (RUMAKI of Tanzania)

The RUMAKI Biosphere Reserve is administratively located in the regions of Lindi (Kwila District) and Pwani (Rufiji, Mafia and Kibiti Districts) of Tanzania. The area is predominately a complex coastal–marine ecosystem that includes the first marine protected area in Tanzania, Mafia Island Marine Park (1994). It comprises an outstanding mosaic of tropical marine habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and intertidal areas that support populations of turtles, migrating birds, dolphins and whale sharks. The RUMAKI seascape is recognized as being the most biologically productive and diverse marine area in Tanzania and East Africa as a whole. The biosphere reserve contains two cultural World Heritage sites which, along with Mafia Island, are the best-known tourist destinations in the biosphere reserve. Alongside tourism, small-scale and semi-industrial fisheries are among the main livelihoods for the biosphere reserve's population of more than 229,000.

Source:www.unesco.org

The RUMAKI Biosphere Reserve is administratively located in the regions of Lindi (Kwila District) and Pwani (Rufiji, Mafia and Kibiti Districts) of Tanzania.