Ipole WMA
IPOLE WMA is located in Sikonge District, Tabora Region, some 96 km from Tabora Municipality (town). It covers an area of 2,540 kilometres of conserved forestland.
IPOLE WMA, best for beekeeping and honey.
IPOLE WMA is located in Sikonge District, Tabora Region, some 96 km from Tabora Municipality (town). It covers an area of 2,540 kilometres of conserved forestland.
The WMA is a forest and wildlife conserved area (Game Reserve) since 1954, once protected as a Forest and Game Reserve. It is made up of Ugunda and Suangala Game Reserve.
Ipole WMA was established since 2006 and covers Four villages of Ipole Msuva, Idekamiso and Utimule. It share its borders with Ugalla River Game Reserve and Ngongwa, Nyonga, Mpembapazi and Hulu Hill
Forest Reserves.
Trophy Hunting is the major tourist activity taking place inside Ipole WMA, though the management’s future plan is to switch off from hunting safaris to Photographic safaris.
Honey harvesting is a tourist activity to attract visitors interested to observe and enjoy bee-keeping and honey harvesting safaris through the natural forests of the WMA.
Trophy hunting, beautiful scenery of pristine nature –full greenery of the natural miombo forest are the natural attractions in the WMA.
The WMA is rich in a diverse of wildlife species, but rarely seen. These are Sable and Roan Antelopes, Kudus, Hartebeests, Lions, Giraffes, Impalas, Elephants, Leopards, Warthogs, Monkeys, Aardvarks, Baboons, Hyenas, Buffaloes, Waterbucks and Birds.
Ipole WMA is best for nature loving tourists where they can see and experience the real savannah through walking safaris.
The WMA is accessible by road from Tabora Municipality in south-west direction, along Tabora – Mpanda and Tabora – Chunya road. The distance from Tabora to Ipole WMA is about 110 kilometres.
It is about 86 km from Tabora to Sikonge District and 24 kilometres from Sikonge to Ipole WMA.
Most areas within the WMA are only accessible in dry season, with no access in rainy seasons as the area lacks well-maintained roads.
Also by road from Mbeya via Kitunda ward to Ipole WMA and from Sumbawanga through Mpanda District via Inyonga to Ipole. The area can as well be reached by air strip located within the Ugunda Game Reserve at Koga (35 kilometres) and Kalulu airstrip (60 kilometres).
The Airstrips are owned by a hunting company and do provide quick access to the WMA as well.
Investment Opportunities in Ipole WMA
