The Pare Mountains are a collection of peaks located in northeastern Tanzania. The range is divided up into northern and southern subranges, both of which are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. Within the range, there are 52 named mountains, the highest and most prominent of which is Shengana Peak (2,463 m/8,081 ft) in South Pare.
The North Pare Mountains and the South Pare Mountains are located in northeastern Tanzania. They begin about 35 km (20 mi) to the southeast of Kilimanjaro and end just to the north of the Usambara Mountains. To the east of the North Pare Mountains is Lake Jipe, which is located on Tanzania’s border with Kenya.
The North Pare Mountains in the Mwanga District of the Kilimanjaro Region contain six forest reserves: Kindoroko, Minja, Mramba, Kiverenge, Kamwella I, and Kamwella II. In total, these reserves cover 7,407 ha (18,303 acres) of terrain. In addition to this, there are nearly 300 clan forests that protect 371 ha (917 acres) of land in the region.
The South Pare Mountains are located in the Same District of the Kilimanjaro Region. Within the southern part of the range you’ll find:
1 Nature Reserve – Chome Nature Reserve
8 Gazetted Forest Reserves – Chambogo, Kiranga-Hengae, Chongweni, Kankoma, Kisiwani, Vumari, Kwizu, and Maganda
5 Proposed Forest and Village Forest Reserves – Kwamwenda, Mwala, Dido, Mambugi, and Ishereto
In total, these reserves cover more than 27,168 ha (67,134 acres) of terrain.
Chome Nature Reserve encompasses 14,283 ha (35,294 acres) of land in the Pare Mountains, including Shengena Peak, the tallest mountain in the range. It was established as a forest reserve in 1957 and upgraded to a nature forest reserve in 2016.