Kuhusu the Phoenix House

Location

Outside of Arusha, between the Kilimanjaro and Arusha airports, in the protected    Ndurumanga forest, adjacent to its precious water source. The 21 acre property was part of a coffee farm, and offers spectacular views of Mount Meru.

Protection

  • Collecting and growing protected species 

  • Supporting seed banks by sharing seeds of protected species

  • Supporting local distributors of plants by sharing protected indigenous species

  • Maintaining a habitat for endangered Colobus Monkeys

  • Supporting TFS (Tanzania Forest Services) efforts to preserve our protected forest

Education

Films & presentations in a theatre for :

  • School children

  • Rangers

  • Eco-tourism

Providing a venue for :

  • Botanical research

  • A medicinal plant garden

  • An immersive experience about bee preservation

  • A two km circuit peppered with information

Friends and partnerships 

  • BGCI (Botanic Gardens conservation international)

  • ECHO (East Africa Impact Center)

  • PAMS FOUNDATION

  • TFS (Tanzania Forest Services)

  • Community relationships

Goals 

  • Open in 2026

  • To Inaugurate The Phoenix House at a VIP private reception and press conference

  • With TFS, catalogue all of our native and protected tree species

  • Discover new species, and add to the ICBN (international code of botanical nomenclature)

  • Import a baobab “bottle tree” from Madagascar, with help of TFS

  • Grow every species of protected indigenous trees species on our property

Create Nature’s Educational Playground :

  • An immersive educational experience about the importance of bee preservation

  • A 2km circuit with educational information about indigenous and protected species

  • A pond where rain water is collected and circulates throughout the property

  • Insect hotels, and habitats that provide shelter in a natural forest environment

  • Lookout points where the resident Colobus and blue monkeys can be seen

  • A viewpoint with baobab trees and rare pyrenecantha succulents

  • Gardens for succulents, indigenous grasses, medicinal plants, flowers and fruit trees

  • A gazebo with panoramic views for resting and picnicking

  • Birdwatching and sitting areas strategically situated throughout the gardens

Amenities

  • A welcome centre with an eco-friendly restaurant, picnic area, gift-shop and parking

  • Five mini-condos and a family suite to accommodate researchers, tourists or volunteers

  • A plant and research nursery

The Directors of The Phoenix House ;

Heidi Leigh and Luc DeVaux, Owners

Patrick Urassa, Manager