Two board walkways built in Lake Manyara

By Lusekelo Philemon

Lake Manyara

The first ever board walkways have been constructed to enhance bird and hippo watching at Lake Manyara and across the northern wildlife sanctuary.

 

Estimated to have cost millions of shillings, the investment by Tanzania National Park (Tanapa) is in turn expected to increase returns by attracting more tourists to enjoy the improved experience.

 

The two walkways, which will soon be officially inaugurated, stretch at lengths exceeding 150m and are well furnished with washrooms and even vehicle parking slot for visitors. 

 

The Park’s tourism Promotion Officer, Neema Mgaya told The Guardian the move is meant to improve and enhance the experience of tourists.

 

“It will also increase repeat visits and attract new ones,” she said.

 

 “One of the walkways has been built in an area that is a popular hippo view point and another one in an area that is home to lasser flamingos,” Mgaya added.

 

  “The two facilities will give tourists better viewing experiencing of hippos, birds and other wildlife in the park,” she emphasised and readily admitted that the board walkways are the result of tourists’ demands.

 

 “They have similar walkways in Australia and our staffs was sent there to have a firsthand experience,” she revealed.

 

The Tanapa Promotion Officer allayed stakeholder concerns over the environmental impact of the two structures reassuring them that a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted.

 

EIA is a formal process used to predict the environmental impact (positive or negative) of a project prior to the decision to move forward with the proposed action.“So, the walkways are environmentally friendly and safe for the tourists and wildlife,” she said.