The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), Retired Major General Hamis R. Semfuko, has commended the Sixth Phase Government under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan for its efforts in boosting the tourism sector.
He highlighted that these efforts have led to a significant increase in the number of tourists and revenue at Mpanga/Kipengere Nature Reserve, which spans across Mbeya and Njombe regions.
Semfuko made these remarks on March 19, 2025, during an official visit to the reserve, where he assessed tourism attractions and inspected key tourism development projects being implemented in the area.
"In the past, this reserve had no tourists at all. However, major achievements started to become evident from 2022, thanks to the government’s investment under President Samia’s leadership," said Semfuko.
He further noted that over the past four years, TAWA has successfully developed infrastructure and installed various tourist facilities, which have contributed to attracting more visitors to the area.
Retired Major General Semfuko also revealed that TAWA has opened investment opportunities within the reserve, with expectations of securing major investors in accommodation and other tourism-related activities.
These investments are expected to transform the reserve into a prime tourism hub in the Southern Highlands.
On his part, the Mpanga/Kipengere Reserve Commander, CI Donacian Makoi, stated that during President Samia’s four years in office, the number of visitors to the reserve has surged significantly.
Currently, the reserve receives between 300 and 400 tourists per month, compared to the previous range of 100 to 200 visitors monthly.
Regarding revenue, Makoi reported that from July 2024 to February 2025, the reserve generated TZS 155 million. This is a remarkable improvement compared to previous years when the reserve had no income due to a lack of proper infrastructure.
He also noted that in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, TAWA is implementing two major tourism projects within the reserve.
These include the construction of a "Tourism Lounge" for visitors to enjoy food and beverages and the development of 30 kilometers of roads leading to the upper sections of the reserve, particularly the globally recognized botanical garden, which hosts over 400 species of flowers.
Meanwhile, TAWA Board Member Prof. Jafari Kideghesho urged Tanzanians to embrace a culture of appreciating local attractions and encouraged them to visit tourism sites across the country, particularly the Mpanga/Kipengere Nature Reserve.