The Kilombero Elephant Corridor (KEC) is a project aimed at restoring ecological connectivity between fragmented habitats, reducing conflicts between local communities and elephants.
The Nyerere‑Udzungwa Wildlife Corridor (NUWC) connects Udzungwa Mountains National Park with Nyerere (Selous) National Park, passing through the Magombera Nature Forest Reserve. This ancient pathway, stretching approximately 13 km, allows both lowland and mountain elephants to move freely between protected areas.
Key developments along the ecological corridor in Tanzania, from January 2024 to today. Use the arrows or the bar below to navigate.
Severe flooding brings the project back into a technical planning phase, with the support of Fondazione Capellino. The aim is to translate the challenges that emerged into stronger solutions, improving resilience, adapting to water dynamics, and improving functionality for elephant movement.
The project consolidates a fence constructed along the approximately 12.6 km corridor. Management continues through fence maintenance, village wildlife ranger patrols, and elephant monitoring.
STEP signs a conservation agreement with the village of Mang’ula A, aimed at improving school facilities and access to basic services. The corridor continues to generate local benefits, linking conservation work, community engagement and quality of life.
As field conditions improve, STEP reinstalls 32 camera trap stations along the corridor and resumes monthly transects. Monitoring activities confirm elephant presence, strengthening the project’s evidence.
On site education activities resume, and a new conservation agreement is signed with the village of Sole. STEP also takes part in regional and national discussions to support land use planning and protect the corridor from incompatible developments.
In April 2025, the Nyerere-Udzungwa Wildlife Corridor was officially recognised in law. In May, the management committee met and acknowledged the role of district and local institutions in protecting the corridor and managing surrounding areas sustainably.
The quarter is used to assess how the corridor functions under different seasonal conditions. The technical team and consultants analyse the most sensitive points, particularly those related to water management and fence performance, to improve future management.
The official recognition process makes significant progress. The government notice is approved by the Attorney General and enters the final stage before official publication, strengthening legal protection of the corridor.
Construction of a second solar house, approximately 8.4 km from the first, strengthens the fence energy system. The project shifts from a construction project approach towards more structured infrastructure management, with coordinated maintenance, patrols, and monitoring.
STEP works directly on the underpass area to improve drainage, slopes, and soil stability. Natural erosion control methods are used, with support from Reforest Africa, making the crossing more functional and easier for elephants to navigate.
Fence work accelerates, with new sections cleared, holes dug, posts installed, and cables laid. At the same time, the Government begins the formal recognition process for the corridor, involving communities and clarifying the role of the future community managed area.
After the wettest period, STEP gradually restarts field activities. Fence construction continues on the agricultural side, while material organisation, logistics, and technical preparation support a stronger operational base for the dry season.
Village game scouts receive training on safety around elephants and continue corridor patrols. Patrolling becomes a stable tool for monitoring, education, and prevention, linking wildlife protection with community participation.
The Kilombero Elephant Corridor is consolidated as an ecological corridor infrastructure between Udzungwa Mountains National Park and Nyerere National Park. The first phase supported by Fondazione Capellino focuses on building the strategic fence, protecting local communities, and the joint management of the corridor.
Fieldwork combines infrastructure, scientific monitoring, and local participation. Camera traps and transects are activated, early wildlife presence data is collected, and village game scouts support corridor protection and community engagement.
2024/2026
€ 215.000,00
