"Actions speak louder than words" for Serengeti crossings

Following the events of July 22nd in Kogatende, Serengeti, many in the safari industry are understandably waiting on official announcements from various government bodies regarding what happens next.

Whilst TANAPA was swift in issuing a same day statement, there has been little said officially since then. But as Tim Henshall at TTUK explained, “As I'm sure you understand, government rules simply don’t allow those outside of direct responsibility to officially comment”. 

This has prevented the likes of the Tanzania Tourist Board from making statements on plans or activities that they do not make or act on. But as Tim Henshall says, “I am confident in the abilities of my colleagues at TANAPA to address all of these issues”.

Various short-term measures have been implemented by TANAPA with immediate effect and there are pleasingly no reports of overcrowding, vehicles being in the wrong places nor passengers leaving their vehicles. It is therefore clear for the moment at least, everything is firmly under control.

But TANAPA is not stopping there. It is hoped that all parties will join with them – including TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators), HAT (Hotels Association of Tanzania) and many other independent tourism stakeholders to pledge their commitment, input and support. This will allow them to agree and implement new stricter rules and regulations, which will ensure the Serengeti maintains its position as the premier wildlife experience in the world.

Considerations extend well beyond Kogatende. As Tim Henshall repeated “The Great Migration is a 12-month long spectacle not a 6-week scramble”, and this needs to be better communicated to the trade. He also highlighted the size and scale of the Serengeti, meaning there is little need for everyone to crowd into one small part of it.

“And we should also mention the alternatives - the simply outstanding parks in Tanzania’s South and West. If they were in any other country, Ruaha, Nyerere (formerly known as Selous) and Katavi would be championed as premier destinations. Instead they are over-shadowed by Serengeti and Ngorongoro, but the discerning traveller is increasingly finding these parks”, said Henshall.

He respectfully asks that the industry gives TANAPA the time to lead the way in preserving the longer-term qualities of the Serengeti, which requires proper thought, debate and agreement. Henshall feels that, "TANAPA are first and foremost experts at running national parks and we all want them to focus on that. Official statements can wait and be made in due course”