Summary
The main objective of the annually staged championship is to raise public awareness on the importance of protecting the Kilimanjaro ecosystem while promoting sustainable tourism in West Kilimanjaro.
KILIMANJARO: MORE than 350 sports and ecotourism enthusiasts have so far registered for the upcoming West Kili Forest Tour Challenge 2026, a flagship outdoor eco-tourism event organised under the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS).
The annual event, which promotes forest conservation, sports development and green economic growth, is scheduled to take place on June 20 and 21, 2026 at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Siha District.
The two-day challenge, expected to be graced by the Minister for Information, Culture and Sports, Mr Paul Makonda, will feature a variety of sporting activities including hiking, running races ranging from 5km to 21.1km, cycling and motorcycling.
Speaking on the preparations for the event, the coordinator of the challenge, Mr Mensieur Elly, said preparations are progressing smoothly and registration remains open to participants from both within and outside the country.
“So far, more than 350 athletes have confirmed participation, and preparations are advancing impressively ahead of the highly anticipated event,” he said.
Mr Elly explained that the challenge combines athletics and adventure tourism activities aimed at showcasing the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of the West Kilimanjaro ecosystem.
“In addition to sports activities, the event will also feature traditional dances, local cuisine and cultural arts exhibitions to promote the region’s cultural heritage,” he added.
He noted that last year’s edition attracted more than 557 participants, including visitors from neighbouring Kenya and Uganda, as well as international tourists from Germany and Scotland.
“And this year’s edition will feature elders from the six villages that surrounding the West Kilimanjaro forest plantation,” he added.
Commenting on the significance of the event, the Principal Conservation Officer (PCO) of the West Kilimanjaro Forest Plantation, Mr Robert Faida, said the main objective of the championship is to raise public awareness on the importance of protecting the Kilimanjaro ecosystem while promoting sustainable tourism in West Kilimanjaro.
He said the initiative also seeks to strengthen community participation in environmental conservation through sports and eco-tourism activities.
