The Udzungwa Mountains National Park (UMNP) has a high level of species endemism and richness and is therefore recognized as a crucial site for conservation in East Africa. However, one of the most important issues in conserving the UMNP is maintaining its connectivity with other protected areas as it is central to the network of protected areas in southern Tanzania, which include the Selous Game
Reserve (SGR). The Kilombero Valley, which covers an area of 6,650 km², consists of a seasonally inundated floodplain fringed by miombo woodland and fragments of Eastern Arc evergreen forest. It is of considerable biological interest in its own right; it was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002 in recognition of its internationally important wetland habitats, and is recognized by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The valley is home to sizable populations of large mammals and much of the inner area of the valley is designated as a Game Control Area. Kilombero Valley Ornithological Center (K.V.O.C) is a Non-Profit Conservation Organization works together with local community for Sustainable Biodiversity Action in order to preserve and protect the endemic, threatened and near threatened bird species and natural features of the Kilombero Valley for the benefit of the public including future generations.
