Njombe Region

Njombe Region Mkoa wa Njombe  (Swahili)
Region
Livingstone Forest Reserve in Kitulo National Park
Location in Tanzania
Country	Tanzania
Zone	Southern Highlands
Established	2012
Capital	Njombe
Government
• Regional Commissioner	Aseri Msangi
Area
• Total	21,347 km2 (8,242 sq mi)
Population (2012)
• Total	702,097
• Density	33/km2 (85/sq mi)
Time zone	EAT (UTC+3)
Postcode	59xxx
Area code(s)	026

Njombe Region is one of the thirty administrative regions of Tanzania. It was established in March 2012, when it was split off from Iringa Region. The region's capital is Njombe town. The newly established Njombe region is an upcoming tourism attractive area, ideal for domestic and international visits in Southern Highlands.

The name Njombe originated from a name of a tree species called ‘Mdzombe’ for singular and Mazdombe for plural which then dominant in one of its localities known as Mdandu. And it was in Mdandu where the Germans chose to build an administrative and defence block; the Boma.

Best for tourist investment, Njombe region stands among competitive regions for tourist development by its diversified natural and historical attractions.

Identified among the top attractive sites in Njombe region are the Nyumba Nitu natural forest, currently under conservation and management of local communities.

Nyumba Nitu, meaning a Black house, consists of natural caves and a natural forest located at Mlevela village in Mdandu ward, some 15 kilometers away from Njombe Township.

The forest has its root from Nyumba Nitu caves, since the caves are very dark for one to see and they are associated by the myth of black cows which dwelt in the cave.

Inside the caves, local Wabena people hid or took refugee during tribal wars between rival Wahehe fighters during Chief Mkwawa conquests in Iringa region, way back in last quarter of 19th century. The caves also provided safe hideout from German forces during the Maji Maji uprising.

A miracle rock or a big slab stone is the other, unique attraction in Njombe region. Known as “Lwivala Stone”, or Glittering stone, the slab-rock has a feature similar to a map of Africa. It is located in Lwivala natural forest which local communities perform rituals and traditional ceremonies.

This 7.5-acre rock is grown with short grass with glittering outgrows during rainy season. There are some unreadable inscriptions which local communities believe to have appeared naturally. It is located in Igodiva village, about three kilometres from Nyumba Nitu forest.

Wattle and tea estates are the other attractions pulling tourists to Njombe region. Excursions and walking through expansive tea and wattle estates provide a scenic view of the southern highlands of Tanzania.

Luhuji waterfall in Njombe town is a thrilling tourist attraction, best for filming and picnics. Located in Luhuji River, the waterfall and rocks provide beautiful scenery for international film or movie makers.