Investors will need at least TZS1 billion to develop hotels, lodges or permanent tented camps in a number of wildlife areas opened for private investment by the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA).
TAWA has advertised investment opportunities across six wildlife destinations, offering investors sites for accommodation facilities, adventure tourism, food and beverage services, curio shops and other tourism-related businesses.
The move could widen private-sector participation in tourism beyond Tanzania's national parks and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with TAWA responsible for managing wildlife resources and biodiversity in other protected areas.
Under the invitation issued yesterday, investors can apply for sites in Mpanga-Kipengere Game Reserve, Wami-Mbiki Game Reserve, Swagaswaga Game Reserve, Makuyuni Wildlife Park, Pande Game Reserve and Ruhila Zoo.
The authority requires a minimum investment capital of TZS1 billion for a hotel, lodge or permanent tented camp, while other tourism-related investments require at least TZS100 million.
Applicants will also have to submit business plans and financial projections covering 20 years for lodges and permanent tented camps and five years for other investments.
For existing companies, TAWA requires audited financial statements for the previous three years as evidence of financial capacity.
The authority has identified several sites in Mpanga-Kipengere Game Reserve, which covers 1,574 square kilometres across Njombe and Mbeya regions.
The sites include opportunities for high-end lodges, eco-lodges, eco-dome resorts, luxury nature hotels, tented camps and a tourism sports complex.
One proposed luxury nature hotel site has a maximum capacity of 100 beds, while other accommodation sites range from 40 to 60 beds. The sports complex is designed to accommodate up to 200 people.
TAWA said Mpanga-Kipengere, located about 87 kilometres from Mbeya City and 240 kilometres from Iringa, offers attractions including waterfalls, wildlife, birdwatching, swimming, hiking and cultural and historical tourism.
In Wami-Mbiki Game Reserve, investors can apply for six sites for lodges or permanent tented camps, each with a maximum capacity of 50 beds.
The reserve, covering 2,466.58 square kilometres in Mvomero, Morogoro Rural and Chalinze districts, also has opportunities for food and beverage services and a curio shop.
Its location about 150 kilometres from Dar es Salaam and 62 kilometres from Morogoro gives it access to one of the country's major tourism and business markets.
TAWA said Wami-Mbiki offers activities such as game drives, sport fishing, birdwatching, nature walks, bush meals, kayaking and ziplining.
In Swagaswaga Game Reserve, one two-square-kilometre site at Bwana Miti has been earmarked for a lodge or permanent tented camp with a maximum capacity of 50 beds.
The reserve, which covers 871 square kilometres in Chemba and Kondoa districts, is about 145 kilometres from Dodoma along the Arusha-Dodoma highway.
TAWA said Swagaswaga's potential lies not only in wildlife tourism but also in archaeological and cultural tourism, particularly its ancient rock art sites.
Meanwhile, Makuyuni Wildlife Park, located about 70 kilometres from Arusha City, has five sites available for eco-tented lodges or tented camps, with capacities of between 50 and 60 beds.
The authority is also seeking an investor to operate a premium wildlife hideaway and another to provide curio shop services at Choroa Gate.
At Pande Game Reserve in Dar es Salaam, investors can apply to provide food and beverage services, as well as operate zipline and quad-bike activities.
The reserve, which covers 15.39 square kilometres, offers game drives, birdwatching, cycling, walking safaris, picnics and camping.
Ruhila Zoo in Songea, which covers three square kilometres, has two investment opportunities, including a 50-bed hotel and operation of a children's recreational facility.
TAWA said applicants must have a company registered in Tanzania and submit incorporation documents, Memorandum and Articles of Association, updated BRELA company information, a TIN certificate and a tax clearance certificate.
Foreign investors are also eligible to apply but must register a company in Tanzania if their applications are successful.
Applicants will pay a non-refundable TZS500,000 site application fee for each lodge or permanent tented camp and TZS200,000 for each other tourism-related investment.
TAWA has advised prospective investors to inspect the sites at their own cost before submitting applications.
Successful applicants will sign concession contracts with the Conservation Commissioner, which will set out the terms for developing or operating the respective investments.
The authority said applications will undergo its normal evaluation process before successful bidders are awarded concession contracts.