The government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, has stepped up efforts to strengthen black rhino conservation projects at Mkomazi National Park, a move that has significantly boosted tourist interest in the sanctuary, which is globally recognized for its black rhino population.
Speaking on September 21, 2025, ahead of World Rhino Day, senior park ranger and black rhino project coordinator, Jackson Lyimo, said the projects have become an important attraction for both domestic and international visitors.
Lyimo highlighted two major projects currently underway at Mkomazi: the Kisima Rhino Breeding Project and the Mbura Rhino Viewing Project. According to him, the Kisima project focuses on rhino breeding, while the Mbura project was designed specifically to give tourists closer encounters with the endangered species.
“We began with the Kisima breeding project, but later saw the need to establish a smaller project to cater for tourism purposes, enabling visitors to see rhinos more closely and meet their expectations,” he explained.
The conservation drive at Mkomazi dates back to 1997, when the government, working with local and international partners, began reintroducing black rhinos and African wild dogs into the park.
The animals were sourced from South Africa, Europe, and private game reserves to rebuild populations and enrich the tourism experience.
Lyimo further noted that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has continued to implement deliberate security and ecological protection strategies to ensure the rhinos breed successfully. The long-term plan, he said, is to establish sustainable populations that can be relocated to other national parks, thereby expanding rhino tourism across the country.
“Conservation is not only about protecting the animals we have today, but also about ensuring future generations of Tanzanians and visitors from around the world can experience the unique heritage these species represent,” Lyimo emphasized.
World Rhino Day, observed annually on September 22, provides an opportunity for Tanzania to join the global community in raising awareness about the importance of rhino conservation.
Mkomazi, located in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, remains one of the few parks in East Africa where tourists are guaranteed the opportunity to view black rhinos in their natural habitat—an experience that continues to attract growing numbers of visitors each year