INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

OVERVIEW

Tanzania is a very popular place for wildlife tourism for both Tanzanian and international tourists. The World Economic Forum has rated Tanzania 2nd in the world in terms of natural attractions.

Tourism is one of Tanzania’s biggest sources of income. The number of visitors has increased steadily over the last years. Wildlife tourism is the most popular form of tourism – even more popular than beach tourism at Tanzania’s beautiful beaches.

Tanzania offers a variety of beautiful landscapes including mountains like Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, vast plains, rivers, waterfalls and lakes and places yet to be discovered. It also offers a spectacular diversity of wildlife that guarantees an adventure and an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Wildlife tourism goes hand in hand with Tanzania’s wildlife conservation strategy implementing a sustainable wildlife development and wildlife utilization. 

PLACE TO VIST

There are a lot of places for wildlife tourism in Tanzania, most of them being protected areas. They are grouped into four categories: Game reserves, game controlled areas, wildlife management areas and Ramsar sites. All these places are controlled and managed by TAWA and operated by licensed tour operators or hunting companies. 

Tourists can select a place to visit according to their interests and preferences. All places can be reached by either car or airplane. Depending on the kind of place, tourists will find different possibilities for accommodations ranging from hotels over lodges, camp sites to tented camps.

Top places for wildlife tourism in TAWA’s protected areas

The three most popular places for wildlife tourism are:

Selous Game Reserve

Maswa Game Reserve

Ikorongo Game Reserve 

A list of all protected areas including a brief description can be found under Conservation > Proteced areas.

BEST TIME TO VISIT 

The best time to visit TAWA’s protected areas is from end of May until February. This way tourists avoid the rainy season in which certain protected areas are closed or not easily accessible.

Visit the second largest game reserve in Tansania:

The Selous Game Reserve

Learn more!

Activitities in protected areas

Tourist will find a great number of different activities to be undertaken in TAWA’s protected areas. Activities include non-consumptive and consumptive options. Non-consumptive means that no wildlife will be consumed, e.g. in case of photo safaris, while consumptive involves the killing of old wildlife, e.g. on hunting safaris. Activities are organized by tour operators and hunting companies licensed by TAWA as well as by TAWA itself.

List of activities

Photographic safari

Walking safari

Boat safaris

Biking safari

Hunting safari

Horse riding

Sport fishing

Ballooning

Rafting

The list of activities including a brief description can be found under Conservation > Wildlife utilization.

Entrance and activity fees

To insure a sustainable wildlife development and wildlife utilization, tourists need to pay entrance fees for the protected areas as well as activity fees. The fees are different for each protected area and each type of activity. The fees can be paid on site, e.g. at the gates of a game reserve, either individually or through a tour operator or hunting company.

Useful information

List of licensed tour operators

List of licensed hunting companies

Contact

For more information on wildlife tourism in our protected areas contact TAWA’s office in Morogoro.