Govt partners with US, WB to boost Southern circuit tourist attractions

By Prosper Makene

World Bank

The government has teamed up with World Bank, US and Germany to boost Southern circuit tourist attractions, by raising the number of tourists visiting the area.

 

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Guardian last week, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu said the project of upgrading tourism attractions along the Southern circuit will cost USD150m.

 

Nyalandu also said the government in collaboration with the partners has already prepared a project proposal that is designed to tackle all challenges that are facing the development of southern circuit and find solutions that will make the circuit grow further. 

 

“We have collaborated with the World Bank, US government and Germany so as to improve the tourism sector in the southern circuit. Investment is needed at the Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha national parks. Despite their economic potentials, the two tourist sites suffer limited investment, we will make sure it grows further,” he said. 

 

The Minister added: “We promise the public that the project will be implemented even before the end of President Jakaya Kikwete’s term.”

 

However, he cited poor infrastructure as a stumbling block to tourism growth in the southern zone which includes Mbeya and Iringa regions despite abundant natural attractions found there.

Unlike the northern circuit, the southern zone has no five star hotels to cater for tourists. 

 

In order to make the southern zone more attractive to local and international tourists, tourism stakeholders are urging the private sector to put up the needed infrastructures.

 

The national parks and game reserves of the Southern Safari Circuit are the hidden treasures of Tanzania’s natural heritage. 

The parks are enormous, with some of the highest concentrations of animals anywhere in Africa and a spectacular diversity of wildlife including Roan Antelope, Sable Antelope, African Wild Dogs, and a multitude of colourful birdlife. 

 

The lodges and camps of the south are small and intimate, with no more than 30 rooms or tents at the very most. This means there are far fewer tourists in the South compared to the North, and allows the area to hold true to the tenets of eco-tourism. 

The travel times between parks in the South are long as the parks are far apart. 

 

Moreover, Southern circuit cannot be compared to the Northern Safari Circuit because the north is the most frequented by tourists for two reasons: most of the destinations are fairly close to each other and many of Tanzania’s most famous sights, such as Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti and Mt Kilimanjaro are all a part of this circuit. 

 

Due to the fact that all the parks, towns and attractions are within easy reach of one another, one can tour this entire circuit by vehicle with only a couple of hours in-between destinations.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN