KAGERA Region is set to become a tourist destination following concerted efforts to revive and promote tourist attractions.
The Executive Chairman of the Tanzania
Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), Major Gen (rtd) Hamis Semfuko,
said among steps taken include the introduction of new wild animals
species such as wildebeest into the Burigi Game Reserve in Biharamulo
District.
Similarly, plans are underway to upgrade
Nkonje Camp along Lake Burigi, transforming it into a tourist
destination. “Wild animals have almost perished in these areas due to
poaching and illegal hunting,” he said.
It is from this backdrop that the
government took swift measures to stop human activities in the areas
including the removal of thousands of uncontrolled livestock in the
forest and game reserves.
It was a great relief as herds of
giraffes, zebras and antelopes greeted when visited Biharamulo, Burigi
and Kimisi Game Reserves. Mr Semfuko revealed some investment
opportunities in the tourist attractions including photographic tourism,
canoeing, sport fishing, walking safaris and camping.
The Director of Wildlife Utilisation and
Business Services, Mr Imani Nkuwi, said the Tanzania Wildlife Research
Institute (TAWIRI) was researching on the type of wild animals to be
introduced in the Burigi Game Reserve.
“TAWIRI was finalising research by
introducing wildebeest at Ibanda/Rumanyika Game Reserve in Karagwe
District,” he said. The next phase would be focused on Burigi Game
Reserve.
Tourism industry has become the second
largest foreign exchange earner in the country after minerals. Kagera
Region is endowed with abundant investment attractions.
However, most of them have not been effectively tapped and developed due to lack of promotion and low investment in the sector.
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