Rau Nature Forest Reserve located about 3 km from Moshi Town in Kilimanjaro Region. The reserve is on the gentle south facing alluvial base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, at an altitude of between 730 and 765 m. 

Rau Forest Reserve is mainly dominated by ground water forest, also classified the reserve vegetation into natural ground forest, swamp forest and woodland forest. 

The reserve has diverse bird life and several large mammal species including black-and-white colobus monkey (Colobus guereza), blue monkey and Kirk’s dik-dik. Other species include squirrels, spiders, beautiful butterflies, dragon flies, ants, millipede, centipede, african snils, lizards, Nile monitor, frogs. Bees such as Apis mellifera adansonii, stingless bees (Mellipolina) and Forest Marsh Snake are also found.

The forest represent more than 71 varieties of native Tanzania and endemic trees include Oxystigma Msoo, Kilimanjaro Mahnogany, Lovoa Swynnertonii and the largest and oldest African teak (Milicia excelsa) or Mvule in Swahili, this tree is considered to be oldest and biggest Mvule tree in East Africa and it is found at the centre of Rau Forest Reserve. The tree is 51m high, 3m in diameter and 360 cubic meters by volume and it's approximately age is 200 years old. The tree is used by traditional healers from by nearby communities for rituals and medical purposes using the barks.

Rau forest is among the few ground water forest in Tanzania and be one of the few natural forest located in a fast growing town (Moshi town) and to be yet not known by travelers or nature lovers. Outside the forest, you can also enjoy a great view of rice plantations that are dotted with colorful water birds.