Construction of the Kikoboga airstrip inside Mikumi National Park has reached 75 percent completion, paving the way for improved access to one of Tanzania’s key wildlife destinations and potentially opening new opportunities for tourism businesses around the park.
The project includes a 1.8-kilometre runway, a passenger terminal with capacity to handle 160 arriving and departing passengers, a fire and rescue station, aircraft and vehicle parking areas and a kiosk.
The infrastructure is expected to make air access to Mikumi easier for tourists while complementing road and railway links to the park, as authorities seek to expand visitor numbers and tourism-related economic activity.
Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa) Conservation Commissioner Massana Mwishawa inspected the project on September 17 and directed the contractor, China Henan International Cooperation Group Co Ltd (Chico), to complete the works on time and according to the required standards.
He also directed the park management to strengthen supervision of development projects while ensuring that conservation activities remain a priority.
Mr Mwishawa also inspected the rehabilitation of the 38-kilometre road linking Kikoboga Gate with Chamgore Gate, which has reached 80 percent completion.
The road is being rehabilitated with funding from the Tourism Development Levy (TDL), administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and implemented by Tanapa.
The planned Chamgore Gate, on the Kilosa side of the park, is expected to further expand access to Mikumi. Construction of the gate is scheduled to begin this year.
The road link could also create a new route for tourists travelling by the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Kilosa, allowing them to connect from the railway network to Mikumi National Park.
This could reduce dependence on existing access routes and create additional opportunities for local businesses serving tourists, including transport operators, accommodation providers, food vendors and tour operators.
Mikumi is among Tanzania’s most accessible national parks and is known for its large populations of elephants, buffaloes, lions and giraffes.
The park also offers scenic landscapes and birdwatching opportunities, making improved transport infrastructure important to efforts to increase tourism activity while supporting conservation and local economic participation.