Tanzania welcomed 1,559,441 visitors to its national parks during a period that saw overall revenues reach TZS 533.9 billion, driven by rising tourism numbers and infrastructure expansion.
Collections climbed from 174bn/- in the 2021/2022 financial year up to 534bn/- in the 2025/2026 financial year. Figures released by Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) show collections more than tripled over a five-year window.
During a briefing with editors and journalists in Dar es Salaam, TANAPA Conservation Commissioner Mr Massana Mwishawa outlined milestones achieved under the sixth-phase government led by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan. He pointed to post-pandemic industry recovery and international promotional efforts—such as the Royal Tour documentary—as catalysts for raising the country’s global profile.
“Up to October, we have witnessed a very large increase in tourism. Statistics show growth from 708,319 tourists recorded and received in 2021/2022 to 1,559,641 in the 2025/2026 financial year, a very big increase, averaging 24 per cent every year,” said Mwishawa, who also serves as Tanapa Conservation Commissioner.
TANAPA Identifies 160 New Investment Sites for Tourism Growth
TANAPA has earmarked 160 fresh investment sites across the country to support incoming visitor volumes and reduce congestion in traditional northern circuits.
“To attract further privatesector investment, TANAPA has identified 160 new investment sites, comprising 30 lodge sites and 130 camping sites,” said Mwishawa.
Mr Massana Mwishawa explained that these locations focus heavily on unlocking potential in the eastern, southern, and western tourism circuits.
Domestic tourism recorded fluctuations over the period. Local visitor numbers rose from 325,060 in the 2023/2024 period to 412,983 in 2024/2025, before registering 381,341 in 2025/2026. The organisation uses digital tools including the Tanzania app and the KwaniKasi platform, which distributed promotional content to over 120 million people worldwide during the 2021/2022 financial year.
Anti-Poaching Operations Led to Arrests and Equipment Seizures
TANAPA completed 301,314 patrols out of 314,940 planned missions during anti-poaching operations. These enforcement actions led to the arrest of 30,559 suspected poachers linked to 25,006 separate incidents.
“We also confiscated 65,860 livestock found illegally inside national parks, seized 105 firearms and removed 10,971 wire snares,” said Mwishawa.
Active habitat management aided endangered populations. The agency constructed three modern communication facilities and 10 radio towers in Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Mkomazi national parks.
Increased aerial drone surveillance also aided endangered populations. The agency managed invasive plants across 9,440.22 hectares spanning 15 national parks while also clearing 1,546 hectares of bush-overgrown terrain within Lake Manyara.
“Efforts to restore the African wild dog population are also continuing, with 12 animals currently in a breeding area in Mkomazi National Park and 25 released into their natural habitats,” said Mwishawa.
Regional Preparation and Awards
Tanapa is collaborating with private-sector stakeholders to formulate tourism packages leading up to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The work aims to draw football enthusiasts to the nation’s various wildlife sanctuaries.
Tanapa is scheduled to host a major conservation awards ceremony on December 12 in Serengeti National Park to mark the country’s recent international achievements in environmental protection and tourism growth.
