Matogoro

Around a year ago I made it to this spot, at the summit of Matogoro Forest Reserve, south of Songea town. The hills of Matogoro are also the source of the first trickle of the Ruvuma River, whose basin is the foundation of the landscape where I focus my work. In terms of ecological stability the importance of the forests of the Reserve are obvious from the green dividing line between the Reserve and the deforested agricultural landscape in the left of the shot.

In the last year the rudimentary ‘visitor services’ at the top of the hill have deteriorated and everything is overgrown or collapsing, including the very rickety wooden watchtower which was dicey enough twelve months ago. It’s a shame this region in the far south of Tanzania is so far from well-trodden routes as it has a lot of appeal for visitors who like scenery and space.

The views were a refreshing antidote after a week constantly attached to a meeting room.