Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dunstan Kitandula, has called on the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) and the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) to collaborate in developing a joint strategy to market Katavi National Park’s unique attractions.
Speaking during his inspection tour of conservation activities and tourism infrastructure at the park in Mpanda District, Katavi Region, Kitandula said Katavi offers rare and exceptional wildlife experiences that set it apart from other parks.
“This park has unique attractions that cannot be easily found elsewhere. For instance, visitors can witness herds of up to 400 to 500 buffalo moving together, as well as large flocks of migratory birds. These are experiences that need to be showcased widely to attract more tourists,” he said.
As part of his visit, Kitandula also paid a courtesy call to the Katavi Regional Commissioner’s Office, where he was received by Mpanda District Commissioner Lilian Charles Matinga, who represented Regional Commissioner Mwanamvua Mrindoko.
Matinga expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism for its ongoing efforts, particularly through TANAPA and the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA), in mitigating conflicts with destructive and dangerous wildlife such as elephants.
She further noted that nearly 60 percent of Katavi Region’s land is set aside for wildlife and forest conservation, meaning that most of the region’s economic activities fall under the jurisdiction of the ministry.
On behalf of TANAPA, Assistant Conservation Commissioner for Conservation and Business Development, Missana Mwishawa, thanked the deputy minister for visiting Katavi, saying his presence had boosted staff morale.
He pledged that the authority would implement the directives issued to strengthen conservation efforts and increase both tourist numbers and national revenue.
Established in 1974, Katavi National Park is Tanzania’s fifth-largest park, following Nyerere, Serengeti and Tarangire, and is renowned for its vast landscapes and rich biodiversity.