Dissertation (MSc Natural Resources Management)The study to assess the contribution of tourism to communities, took place in Kisawasawa, Mang’ula A, Mang’ula B and Sonjo villages adjacent to Udzungwa. The study employed several methods including interviews, a questionnaire survey, focus group discussion and secondary data. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 12.0 review to come up with several findings, while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Findings indicated that tourism activities in the area include forest viewing, farms and agro-tourism, arts and crafts, local tradition, spot fishing, game viewing, education/medical research. Tourism was able to employ people from communities, increased the number of social facilities in the study area including; restaurants, accommodations, food stores, handicraft stores and campsites, schools and health services, loans, bee keeping, and environmental education programs. It was further observed that the communities regarded a community involvement as a priority mechanism to improve their livelihoods. The study recommends that, there should be funds of the community to invest in tourism related activities, so as to harness tourism benefits direct from tourists, advertisements should be given high priority. The community also, needs to opt investing in tourism related activities, so as to harness tourism benefits direct from tourists. This may require individual, organizations efforts. Tourism policies and wildlife policies should be a tool to offer a win-win situation by keeping communities priorities come first, when it comes to making a choice of development projects.