Tanzania has opened 21 government-funded tourism facilities across its southern circuit, calling on private investors to capitalise on opportunities in wildlife and conservation tourism.
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba inaugurated the projects on Wednesday, valued at 114.6 billion Tanzanian shillings (around $46 million), which include the Mtemere Airstrip in Nyerere National Park, as well as visitor centres, campsites, ranger posts, and ecological monitoring stations across Nyerere, Ruaha, Mikumi national parks and the Kilombero Nature Forest Reserve.
“The government has built high-quality airports and other tourism infrastructure ready to provide services,” Nchemba said. “This is the true meaning of public-private partnership: the government develops enabling infrastructure and the private sector capitalises on the opportunities.”
He said investors could now develop income-generating activities, create jobs, and contribute to national revenue, while communities near protected areas were urged to participate in economic activities and help safeguard the infrastructure.
The projects form part of the Southern Tourism Circuit Development Programme, designed to diversify Tanzania’s tourism sector beyond its northern parks, which traditionally dominate international arrivals.
Tourism Minister Ashatu Kijaji said the Mtemere Airstrip has a 1.8-kilometre runway and a terminal capable of handling 140 arriving and 140 departing passengers at once, along with a control tower, parking for 90 vehicles, fire and rescue facilities, and administrative offices.
Nchemba also instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to work with airlines, including Air Tanzania, to link Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar with southern parks, creating new flight routes to improve tourist access.
“The government has continued to invest in conservation and tourism logistics, including 61 vehicles for park operations and patrols,” Nchemba said.
The southern circuit initiative is part of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s broader strategy to expand tourism infrastructure, improve accessibility, and stimulate regional economic growth through sustainable wildlife tourism.
Notes to Editors
– Tanzania has invested 114.6 billion Tanzanian shillings (about $46 million) to develop 21 tourism facilities across the southern circuit, including airstrips, visitor centres, campsites and ranger posts.
– The projects form part of the Southern Tourism Circuit Development Programme, which aims to diversify tourism beyond the northern parks and expand regional economic opportunities.
– Key sites include Nyerere, Ruaha and Mikumi national parks, as well as the Kilombero Nature Forest Reserve, areas known for large wildlife populations and lower visitor density.
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