The purpose of the Proposal is to present a development and business analysis for expanding tourism products in the western corridor of Serengeti National Park that is anchored from Kirawira Luxury Tented Camp in western Serengeti. The products will be provided in conjunction with tour operators based from Arusha, Mwanza and Mara regions under the comfort of a Luxury Lodge accommodation complemented with the wonderful cultural and educational experience and natural resources through its “Niche Market” service and a diversity of wildlife, wilderness and cultural experiences.
Tourism in Serengeti National Park
The tourism hub in Serengeti National Park is associated with the development and concentration of tourism facilities, interpretative media and exhibits, access roads and airstrip, tourism circuits and the availability of other tourism amenities. This hub is anchored from the Seronera valley, the short grass plains area around Naabi gate, central Serengeti and the Grumeti River. In addition other popular destinations in the park include Moru Kopjes, the zebra kopjes east of Seronera, the hidden valley, the Ndassiata area as well as the Lobo area towards Bologonja springs and the Kleins gate.The western Serengeti is located in a Low Use zone as prescribed in the general management plan (GMP) for Serengeti National Park (2005 – 2015). In accordance with the determination of the GMP and the Limits of Acceptable use the zone will have a lower number and density of visitors than the High Use Zone, which will result in a low frequency of contact between tourists and moderate to high opportunities for exclusivity and solitude. This is the only zone where off road driving may be permitted in designated areas that will be identified annually by the SENAPA management. In addition short and half-day guided trail walks and designated “tourism sinks” will provide opportunities for visitors to get out of their vehicles.
The tourism hub in Serengeti National Park is associated with the development and concentration of tourism facilities, interpretative media and exhibits, access roads and airstrip, tourism circuits and the availability of other tourism amenities. This hub is anchored from the Seronera valley, the short grass plains area around Naabi gate, central Serengeti and the Grumeti River. In addition other popular destinations in the park include Moru Kopjes, the zebra kopjes east of Seronera, the hidden valley, the Ndassiata area as well as the Lobo area towards Bologonja springs and the Kleins gate.The western Serengeti is located in a Low Use zone as prescribed in the general management plan (GMP) for Serengeti National Park (2005 – 2015). In accordance with the determination of the GMP and the Limits of Acceptable use the zone will have a lower number and density of visitors than the High Use Zone, which will result in a low frequency of contact between tourists and moderate to high opportunities for exclusivity and solitude. This is the only zone where off road driving may be permitted in designated areas that will be identified annually by the SENAPA management. In addition short and half-day guided trail walks and designated “tourism sinks” will provide opportunities for visitors to get out of their vehicles.
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| Grumeti river at the western corridor in Serengeti |
Diverse visitor experience through the Zoning Scheme
Serengeti National Park (SENAPA) through its approved general management plan 2005 - 2015 recognizes and offers a diverse range of appropriate visitor experiences to a wider range of landscapes and resources within the Park through a zoning scheme. The zoning scheme aims to provide a framework for achieving and reconciling the twin management needs of protecting the natural qualities and environment of the Park and regulating and promoting visitor use. The zoning scheme describes in detail what can and cannot occur in the different zones and is intended to guide the actions of park staff to maintain both the integrity of the entire zoning scheme and the mandate of preserving natural and cultural resource values of Serengeti National Park. It is through the zoning scheme that has allowed those opportunities to experience the park resources and values in three management zones: High Use Zone, Low Use Zone and Wilderness Zone have been grounded.
Serengeti National Park (SENAPA) through its approved general management plan 2005 - 2015 recognizes and offers a diverse range of appropriate visitor experiences to a wider range of landscapes and resources within the Park through a zoning scheme. The zoning scheme aims to provide a framework for achieving and reconciling the twin management needs of protecting the natural qualities and environment of the Park and regulating and promoting visitor use. The zoning scheme describes in detail what can and cannot occur in the different zones and is intended to guide the actions of park staff to maintain both the integrity of the entire zoning scheme and the mandate of preserving natural and cultural resource values of Serengeti National Park. It is through the zoning scheme that has allowed those opportunities to experience the park resources and values in three management zones: High Use Zone, Low Use Zone and Wilderness Zone have been grounded.
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| Grumeti river has one of the highest population of crocodiles in Serengeti |
Wildlife Game Viewing
Tanzania has emerged as one of Africa’s fast growing economies. It is one of the most unique tourist destinations in Africa, offering both an abundance of wildlife and a variety of other natural attractions. Wildlife firmly represents the backbone of the tourism in Tanzania, which is primarily a safari destination. Increased marketing and promotion by the Tanzanian government as well as improved air services and product diversification offers have increased awareness of the destination and generated new demand. The continuing improvements in the Tanzania infrastructure have made it possible for the tourism sector to experience periods of tremendous growth and development. One of the beneficiaries of these government efforts is the Serengeti National park and specifically the western corridor of the park. Access to major cities and towns along the lake zone has tremendously improved in the couple of years and there has been an upgrade of the airport in Mwanza to allow for more and bigger planes land making Mwanza City the business hub of the lake zone linking the Great Lakes region to Serengeti National Park.
In the western Serengeti wildlife game viewing will be done in such a way that the natural character and all natural processes associated with the western corridor will be preserved to the greatest extent possible. Game viewing will be done on designated tracks, roads and pathways and will not be permitted in more sensitive habitats or areas with very sensitive species/habitats are located and any apparent adverse impacts of visitor use will be mitigated.
Tanzania has emerged as one of Africa’s fast growing economies. It is one of the most unique tourist destinations in Africa, offering both an abundance of wildlife and a variety of other natural attractions. Wildlife firmly represents the backbone of the tourism in Tanzania, which is primarily a safari destination. Increased marketing and promotion by the Tanzanian government as well as improved air services and product diversification offers have increased awareness of the destination and generated new demand. The continuing improvements in the Tanzania infrastructure have made it possible for the tourism sector to experience periods of tremendous growth and development. One of the beneficiaries of these government efforts is the Serengeti National park and specifically the western corridor of the park. Access to major cities and towns along the lake zone has tremendously improved in the couple of years and there has been an upgrade of the airport in Mwanza to allow for more and bigger planes land making Mwanza City the business hub of the lake zone linking the Great Lakes region to Serengeti National Park.
Disturbed areas that cause significant visual impairment of the area's view sheds will be restored. Unavoidable human use impacts will be confined to resistant and less sensitive habitats. Off road driving will not be done unless permitted by the park authorities and clearly stipulated in the zone designation. The level of visitation in this zone is moderate even during the peak season and therefore contacts with other visitors is low and which forms ann important marketing tool that characterize Kirawira Luxury Tented Camp products. However, guided hikes to designated sites along Grumeti and Mbalageti rivers and other outstanding features along the western boundary of the park and the adjoining areas towards Lake Victoria will be included in the products on offer.
The day hikes are designed to provide important breaks and minimize monotony and done through designated hiking trails purposely developed by park authorities to important stops alongside the riverline forests habitat and along Lake Victoria shores. Picnicking is another important activity that would be encouraged at designated points. Such experiences would remain some of the major attractants to western Serengeti and would ensure the Kirawira compares more favorably with other major tourist destinations anywhere in Serengeti National Park.
Lake Victoria hikes and Boat Cruises
This is a new product to be introduced as part of the new tourism products to be marketed for Serengeti western corridor. It is envisaged that a detailed cost benefit analysis will be initiated and done before financial commitments are done. The study should be done in collaboration with SENAPA in order to take advantage of the expanded Great Lakes regional market. All access to Speke’s Gulf on Lake Victoria will be through designated properly made road as per TANAPA standards inside any of its parks. Only through designated roads will any game viewing done while any foot hiking and walking will be on designated trails. While accessing to the lake shores opportunities will be explored for camping and picnicking at designated sites only. No off road driving will be done due to the nature of the area as comprising of wetlands and high water table flood plains and marshland.
Traditional and Cultural Festivals
The Lake zone harbors some of the most prolific traditional communities in the country. They comprise of the Sukuma renowned for their snake dancing skills as well as the traditional courtship involving impressive show of power between young zealots contending for the bride to be. These and other traditions and culture aspects of the entire lake zone could potentially be harnessed and packaged to form an important product for the business community to take. Although more information is required in order to adequately interpret these and other contemporary cultural aspects of the entire lake zone ethnic communities and tribes, the opportunity to enjoy such traditions and culture must now be part of the tourism products of western Serengeti corridor. There is a need to conduct targeted researches on ethnobotany leading to the understanding of the usefulness to local communities of the plant genetic materials found within the protected areas and other anthropogenic factors that will contribute to a successful conservation and tourism promotion and to underscore the importance of tourism to the socio-economic development of the local communities. All these values will be packaged and provided to suit the needs of the clients.
Day Hikes along Riverline Forests
The Grumeti and Mbalageti rivers riverline forests are an important component of the western corridor that has been hitherto not utilized to provide the required enjoyment to the tourists. The micro-environment systems within these forests are comprised of some unique features and resources that require exploration. The habitat is home to some of the rare, threatened and endangered species locally and form important unique features that characterize the western corridor. The presence of birds of prey, fish eagles, snakes and other reptilia that use nests prepared by of the hammer cops along the two rivers and the presence of patas monkey that are not found anywhere in entire Serengeti National Park are important attributes that require not only more scientific exploration but also provide important tourist products that already available for taking. However, they need to be discovered, explored and interpreted within the context of the tourism products illustrated above.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The World Tourism Organization (WTO) estimated for international tourist arrivals in the East Africa sub region was at 5.5% per annum over the period 1995 to 2010. However, the Serengeti Western corridor could not be able to benefit from this remarkable growth due to a number of factors: - firstly as an access to and from outside the western corridor is difficult. Secondly the western corridor lacks important and necessary facilities and promotional materials essential for creating awareness of its many and unique attractions. Using the Competitive Advantage model this paper seeks to differentiate western corridor tourism as a niche product for customers willing to pay a higher price for the quality tourism offering which will in turn benefit long term conservation and tourism industry as well as lead to investment in their people
Through this desk review, they conclude that the potential to increase visitation, number of days tourist stay at Kirawira Luxury Tented Camp and the extra products that could potentially be included in a tourism package is grossly underutilized and a loss to the industry. The opportunities for Tanzania to undertake other types of tourism activities is also missed due to under exploration and inadequate investments in support services for the country to fully utilize the available tourism opportunities. In order for such opportunities to be fully explored and included in any tourism package and especially the western Serengeti corridor, there is a need to conduct detailed assessment of the products, their markets as well as the tourism demand for such products. In addition there is a need for a research to get a feeling of the tourist willingness to pay for a packaged tour that includes all or part of the products identified in this paper. The opening of the lake zone for tourism business depends very much on linking to the already established products within the Serengeti National Park. As has been shown in the SWOT analysis matrix, all opportunities should be explored to optimize tourism business; all challenges addresses and recommendations made in the matrix reviewed in the context of the new business opportunities obtaining in the Great Lakes region.
Lake Victoria hikes and Boat Cruises
This is a new product to be introduced as part of the new tourism products to be marketed for Serengeti western corridor. It is envisaged that a detailed cost benefit analysis will be initiated and done before financial commitments are done. The study should be done in collaboration with SENAPA in order to take advantage of the expanded Great Lakes regional market. All access to Speke’s Gulf on Lake Victoria will be through designated properly made road as per TANAPA standards inside any of its parks. Only through designated roads will any game viewing done while any foot hiking and walking will be on designated trails. While accessing to the lake shores opportunities will be explored for camping and picnicking at designated sites only. No off road driving will be done due to the nature of the area as comprising of wetlands and high water table flood plains and marshland.
Traditional and Cultural Festivals
The Lake zone harbors some of the most prolific traditional communities in the country. They comprise of the Sukuma renowned for their snake dancing skills as well as the traditional courtship involving impressive show of power between young zealots contending for the bride to be. These and other traditions and culture aspects of the entire lake zone could potentially be harnessed and packaged to form an important product for the business community to take. Although more information is required in order to adequately interpret these and other contemporary cultural aspects of the entire lake zone ethnic communities and tribes, the opportunity to enjoy such traditions and culture must now be part of the tourism products of western Serengeti corridor. There is a need to conduct targeted researches on ethnobotany leading to the understanding of the usefulness to local communities of the plant genetic materials found within the protected areas and other anthropogenic factors that will contribute to a successful conservation and tourism promotion and to underscore the importance of tourism to the socio-economic development of the local communities. All these values will be packaged and provided to suit the needs of the clients.
Day Hikes along Riverline Forests
The Grumeti and Mbalageti rivers riverline forests are an important component of the western corridor that has been hitherto not utilized to provide the required enjoyment to the tourists. The micro-environment systems within these forests are comprised of some unique features and resources that require exploration. The habitat is home to some of the rare, threatened and endangered species locally and form important unique features that characterize the western corridor. The presence of birds of prey, fish eagles, snakes and other reptilia that use nests prepared by of the hammer cops along the two rivers and the presence of patas monkey that are not found anywhere in entire Serengeti National Park are important attributes that require not only more scientific exploration but also provide important tourist products that already available for taking. However, they need to be discovered, explored and interpreted within the context of the tourism products illustrated above.
The World Tourism Organization (WTO) estimated for international tourist arrivals in the East Africa sub region was at 5.5% per annum over the period 1995 to 2010. However, the Serengeti Western corridor could not be able to benefit from this remarkable growth due to a number of factors: - firstly as an access to and from outside the western corridor is difficult. Secondly the western corridor lacks important and necessary facilities and promotional materials essential for creating awareness of its many and unique attractions. Using the Competitive Advantage model this paper seeks to differentiate western corridor tourism as a niche product for customers willing to pay a higher price for the quality tourism offering which will in turn benefit long term conservation and tourism industry as well as lead to investment in their people
Through this desk review, they conclude that the potential to increase visitation, number of days tourist stay at Kirawira Luxury Tented Camp and the extra products that could potentially be included in a tourism package is grossly underutilized and a loss to the industry. The opportunities for Tanzania to undertake other types of tourism activities is also missed due to under exploration and inadequate investments in support services for the country to fully utilize the available tourism opportunities. In order for such opportunities to be fully explored and included in any tourism package and especially the western Serengeti corridor, there is a need to conduct detailed assessment of the products, their markets as well as the tourism demand for such products. In addition there is a need for a research to get a feeling of the tourist willingness to pay for a packaged tour that includes all or part of the products identified in this paper. The opening of the lake zone for tourism business depends very much on linking to the already established products within the Serengeti National Park. As has been shown in the SWOT analysis matrix, all opportunities should be explored to optimize tourism business; all challenges addresses and recommendations made in the matrix reviewed in the context of the new business opportunities obtaining in the Great Lakes region.
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