By Jacob Kasiri - Ruaha
In a move that underscores the growing importance of Ruaha National Park as a major tourism destination, General (Rtd.) George Waitara, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), alongside other board members, announced that the park is poised to become the epicenter of tourism in Southern Tanzania.
This is largely attributed to the modern infrastructure improvements funded by the REGROW Project, which is supported by the World Bank.
The announcement was made on April 6, 2025, during a tour of six ongoing development projects within the park, which is the second largest national park in Tanzania, spanning 19,822 square kilometers across the regions of Dodoma and Iringa, with significant portions located in the Mbarali and Chunya districts of Mbeya.
“We have visited six projects, five of which are completed, except for the passenger terminal at Kiganga Airport, which is still under construction. I am truly impressed with the management of Ruaha, which has worked closely with the contractors. For other parks where such projects are lagging, we will need to send your exemplary team to guide them. Ruaha has set a great example,” General Waitara highlighted the progress of the projects during the visit.
He urged the management of Ruaha National Park to ensure that contractors complete the construction of the passenger terminal, which is currently 92% finished.
He emphasized the importance of having the terminal operational to accommodate flights carrying tourists, with the capacity to handle aircraft carrying up to 50 passengers at a time.
“For the five completed projects, including the guest cottages, hostel, ecology center, accommodation for drivers and tour guides, and the visitor information center, we must ensure that they are valued and put into use. This will undoubtedly attract more tourists to the park,” he remarked.
CPA Hadija Ramadhani, a member of the TANAPA Board of Trustees and Chair of the Audit and Good Governance Committee, echoed these sentiments, praising the effective use of the REGROW funds.
“Ruaha National Park has truly honored the REGROW funds; the buildings are well-designed and serve as a model for other projects. If other parts of the country followed this example, we would achieve significant progress. I urge you to assign value to these buildings and begin utilizing them. When buildings remain unused for too long, they deteriorate,” she noted.
The ongoing efforts to enhance Ruaha’s tourism infrastructure align with the park's vision of becoming a premier tourist destination in Southern Tanzania.
In line with this, board members also sought clarification on the management of the new passenger terminal.
Massana Mwishawa, Deputy Commissioner for Conservation and Business Development, provided insight into the measures being put in place to ensure the facility's smooth operation, including safety, cleanliness, and the provision of various services.
“TANAPA has already trained some officers and rangers, with others set to undergo further training to meet the evolving needs of the park,” Mwishawa said.
Godwell Meing’ataki, Assistant Commissioner for Conservation and Head of the Southern Zone, highlighted the growing demand for staff to cater to the increased number of tourists and stakeholders.
He emphasized that the organization must now consider how to effectively expand its workforce to maintain international service standards.
Prior to the tour, the board members were briefed by Abel Mtui, Assistant Commissioner for Conservation, who is also the Chief Park Warden at Ruaha National Park.
Mtui outlined the various conservation and tourism activities being implemented, with technology playing a crucial role in conservation efforts and revenue collection.
Ruaha National Park remains a vital asset for Tanzania, not only as a sanctuary for endangered wildlife and birds but also as a key water source for the Mtera and Kidatu dams, as well as the strategically important Mwl. Nyerere Dam.
The Great Ruaha River, which flows through the park, supports the livelihoods of local communities through regulated fishing, contributing significantly to the economy.
Therefore, any changes in the river’s flow would have widespread consequences, affecting both the park’s ecosystem and the livelihoods of thousands of Tanzanians who rely on its waters.
