Mkomazi National Park Visitor Numbers Triple Following Black Rhino Tourism Launch
Visitor numbers at Mkomazi National Park (MKONAPA) in Tanzania have grown from approximately 3,000 to 10,000 annually since the park launched its black rhino tourism programme in 2021, with figures reaching the 10,000 mark by September 2026. Chief Park Warden ACC Eva Mallya attributed the surge primarily to travellers seeking close-range encounters with black rhinos - a critically endangered species - supported by the park's campaign tagline: "Come to Mkomazi National Park, you are 99 per cent guaranteed to see a Rhino."
Beyond rhinos, Mkomazi offers a diverse wildlife offering that includes African wild dogs, elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes and more than 450 bird species. The park is also one of the few places in Tanzania where visitors can reliably spot the gerenuk - a distinctive long-necked gazelle adapted to arid environments. Activities range from day and night game drives to walking safaris, photography tourism and camping. The park's growth reflects a broader trend of conservation-linked tourism driving visitor interest across East Africa's national parks.
Source: Daily News
