International sports and entertainment journalists visiting Tanzania ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have been given a glimpse of the country’s tourism potential after touring the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The journalists, who are in Tanzania to follow preparations for the continental football tournament, visited Ngorongoro on October 5, where they witnessed wildlife and explored sites linked to the history of human evolution.
The visit brought the country’s tourism attractions into focus as Tanzania prepares to welcome football fans, players, officials and international media for AFCON 2027, which will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
During their tour, the journalists saw wildlife including lions, rhinoceroses and giraffes before visiting the Olduvai Gorge area, where they learnt about discoveries associated with early human history.
The experience offered the journalists an opportunity to see aspects of Tanzania beyond the football venues, reinforcing the possibility of visitors combining the tournament with tourism activities.
One of the journalists described the experience as a chance to see what Tanzania has to offer outside football.
“This is Tanzania. If you come for AFCON 2027, you will not only enjoy football—you will also have an opportunity to discover the wonders of Tanzania such as Ngorongoro,” the journalist said.
The visit comes at a time when Tanzania is positioning the 2027 tournament as more than a sporting event, with the influx of international visitors expected to create opportunities for tourism and related businesses.
For visitors attending matches, destinations such as Ngorongoro could provide additional experiences before or after games, potentially extending their stay and increasing spending on accommodation, transport, guiding services and other tourism-related activities.
The international media visit also provides an opportunity to expose global audiences to Tanzania’s tourism attractions through journalists who are following one of Africa’s biggest sporting events.
Ngorongoro, known for its diverse wildlife and archaeological significance, is among the destinations that could feature in travel plans for international visitors coming to Tanzania during the tournament.
The journalists’ experience also highlighted the connection between sports and tourism, with major international competitions increasingly providing host countries with an opportunity to showcase destinations beyond stadiums.
As preparations for AFCON 2027 continue, the challenge for Tanzania will be to convert international attention generated by the tournament into longer visitor stays and wider economic benefits for tourism businesses and communities.
The tournament is expected to attract visitors from across Africa and beyond, giving Tanzania a global platform to showcase its wildlife, history and culture alongside its football ambitions.