On August 31, 2024, during the 60th-anniversary celebrations of Mikumi National Park in Morogoro, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr. Pindi Chana, highlighted the significant advancements in Tanzania's tourism sector.
These achievements have been largely attributed to the concerted efforts of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Dr. Chana emphasized the impact of promotional films such as “Tanzania: The Royal Tour” and “The Amazing TANZANIA,” which have played a crucial role in increasing both domestic and international tourist numbers.
She noted, “Thanks to President Samia's visionary leadership, the number of international tourists visiting Tanzania increased by 96%, from 922,692 in 2021 to 1,808,205 in 2023.”
In terms of Mikumi National Park specifically, the visitor count has grown dramatically. “In the year 2023/2024, we saw 138,844 tourists visit Mikumi National Park, marking an extraordinary 198.48% increase from the 46,517 visitors recorded in 2020/2021,” Dr. Chana added.
The government’s commitment to improving tourism infrastructure is evident through various projects. These include the construction of the modern Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), enhancements to the national airline (ATCL), and road upgrades to facilitate easier access to tourist attractions.
For Mikumi National Park, the REGROW project is driving several key developments. These include modernizing the airport at Kikoboga, constructing new tourist gates at Doma and Kikwaraza, setting up a visitor information center (VIC), establishing picnic sites, and creating new accommodation options such as cottages and campsites. Additionally, the park will soon be connected to the national power grid.
“These upgrades will enable larger aircraft to land at Mikumi, accommodating up to 140 visitors simultaneously, which is a significant boost for our tourism capacity,” Dr. Chana noted.
The government also plans to construct a tourist reception gate at the Kilosa railway station for visitors arriving via the SGR. This development is expected to drive economic growth in Kilosa District, benefiting nearby villages such as Myombo, Mbamba, and Kilangali.
Musa Kuji, the Commissioner for Conservation at the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), reported that Mikumi National Park has improved its revenue collection position, moving from 14th to 6th place among Tanzania’s 21 national parks.
Augustine Massesa, the Chief Warden of Mikumi National Park, commented, “The increase in tourism has had a positive effect on the local economy.
We have created job opportunities, provided conservation education, supported development projects, and collaborated with Village Game Scouts (VGS) to address wildlife-related challenges.”
Established in 1964 under Government Notice No. 465, Mikumi National Park is one of Tanzania’s oldest national parks, following Serengeti (1951), Lake Manyara (1960), Arusha (1960), and Ruaha (1964).
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