Tour Operators Urged to Back Serengeti Conservation Amid Rising Poaching Threat

By Adonis Byemelwa, Arusha

The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tato) is calling on tourism stakeholders to support conservation initiatives aimed at preserving the Serengeti ecosystem.

Addressing industry leaders at a recent gathering in Arusha on November 4, 2024, Tato Chairman Wilbard Chambulo urged tour operators to contribute $1 per tourist brought to Serengeti National Park, a modest fee that could significantly boost anti-poaching efforts in the region.

“My request is simple yet profound—contribute just one dollar for every visitor,” Chambulo said. “This small contribution will support our de-snaring initiative, which combats a growing poaching threat to the Serengeti’s wildlife.”

The appeal comes amid renewed concerns over poaching in the Serengeti. Once limited to subsistence, poaching has now become a large-scale, commercial enterprise threatening Tanzania’s flagship national park after a decade of relative calm. Serengeti’s wildlife—home to elephants, wildebeests, and apex predators—is increasingly endangered by snares, which, although aimed at smaller animals, also trap other species.

The de-snaring program, established in 2017 through a public-private partnership involving Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa), the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), and private tourism investors, has mobilized reformed poachers to remove these traps. Since its inception, the program’s teams have dismantled thousands of snares, freeing hundreds of animals.

However, sustaining and expanding this essential initiative requires ongoing financial support from those who benefit most from Serengeti’s biodiversity. Chambulo expressed frustration at the reluctance of some large-scale investors who profit from Tanzania’s natural beauty but contribute little toward conservation.

“We inherited this land from our ancestors; what legacy are we leaving for our children and future generations?” he asked.
Chambulo emphasized that tour operators, whose businesses rely on Serengeti’s natural wonders, play an integral role in conservation. By supporting these initiatives, they protect the wildlife while ensuring the long-term viability of their industry.

“Tanzania’s tour operators are crucial in preserving Serengeti’s fragile ecosystem. Their contributions can help extend the de-snaring program, safeguarding the park as a haven for its iconic species,” Chambulo stated.

Tato, which represents over 300 private tour operators across Tanzania, advocates for sustainable tourism and conservation. Tanzania’s breathtaking destinations—including the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and Ngorongoro Crater—draw visitors from around the world, making responsible tourism practices essential to preserving these attractions.

Elirehema Maturo, Tato’s Executive Director, added that the organization works to strengthen the connection between Tanzania’s tourism industry and the conservation of wildlife, climate resilience, and cultural preservation.

“Tour operators curate life-changing safaris and challenging mountain climbs, and through these experiences, they bear a responsibility to protect the treasures that draw travelers here,” Maturo explained.

Through Chambulo’s appeal and Tato’s ongoing advocacy, conservationists hope the tourism industry will take on a legacy of stewardship for the Serengeti, ensuring that Tanzania’s unique ecosystems are preserved for future generations.