The organization known today as Tanzania National Parks was established by The Tanganyika National Parks Ordinance CAP (TANAPA) in 1959 with the main objective of the conservation of eco-systems in all areas. As of Feb 2008, there are 15 national parks under this organization in Tanzania. In this country, conservation is governed by the Wildlife Conservation Act of 1974. Based on this act, the government can establish protected areas and provide the guidelines as to how they should be organized and managed.

Tanzania National Parks Organization was established in response to Arusha Manifesto, which had called for the conservation of nature and natural resources. Therefore, it abides by a legal mandate that obliges it to manage and regulate the use of areas designated as National Parks.

Tanzania National Parks Activity Agenda

This organization pursues the vital purpose of preserving the areas with exceptional value or quality as far as natural or cultural heritage are concerned. Preservation of particular types of resources, water and soil, and any opportunities resulting in benefits, enjoyment and scientific values for the public are at this organization’s agenda.

In its activities, Tanzania National Parks Organization has decided to maintain the high degree of integrity in its resources, to create quality visitor experience instead of mass tourism and to obtain optimal level of revenue and benefits helping national economy, parks and communities without impairing park resources.

List of National Parks Managed by the Organization

Tanzania National Parks Organization is in charge of managing and organizing all the activities at the national parks:

1. Arusha
2. Gombe Stream
3. Katavi
4. Mount Kilimanjaro
5. Kitulo Plateau
6. Mahale Mountains
7. Lake Manyara
8. Mikumi
9. Mkomazi
10. Ruaha
11. Rubondo Island
12. Saadani
13. Serengeti
14. Tarangire
15. Udzungwa Mountains

The main role set for these parks is to conserve Tanzania’s rich natural heritage, to provide secure breeding grounds where its fauna and flora can thrive, and to keep away the conflicting interests of a growing human population from these valuable natural attractions in Tanzania.

Tourism at Tanzania National Parks

The organization considers tourism an opportunity to generate revenue to support the main aim of the conservation work at the national parks, wildlife research, and the education and livelihood of local communities.

On the other hand, tourism in Tanzania National Parks is an opportunity to create global awareness of conservation issues and this organization takes advantage of it in an organized manner. In other words, protection of environment is on top of the agenda and only sustainable visitation is promoted at the parks.

Local communities get benefits from tourism income which is used to help the development projects like building schools and health dispensaries as well as water schemes and roads where they are living.

There are Tanzania National Parks regulations and fees introduced by the organization to make sure proper services and rates are in place. Official routes/trails are made for the visitors to follow. In addition, to be on the safe side, precautionary instructions are offered and traveling tips are provided for the tourists visiting these protected areas.

Accommodations at the Parks

Tanzania National Parks accommodations are diversified so that tourists could have the best experience possible. Each park has got its own lodges, tents, guesthouses and campsites. The facilities at these places range from ordinary to the luxury ones.

To help tourists enjoy their trips to Tanzania according to their expectations, the organization has tried to understand what is expected to be seen during a trip: wild animals migrating in huge numbers, famillies of elephants, muddy Rufiji/Tarangire river, lions lying down on grass in the Sun, etc. Tanzania experience by tourists will certainly be what is pictured at these sentences and more that nature is preserved to offer.

To learn about development, action and lease procedures as well as the national parks policy, the official website of the organization has provide a few useful documents to learn more about Tanzania National Parks.

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