Ngorongoro envisions an epic Safari Field Challenge in 2026

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) has said the 11th season of the Safari Field Challenge will provide a unique platform for tour guides to gain practical knowledge on wildlife tourism, history and heritage within the conservation area.

Speaking to media outlets in Dar es Salaam, NCAA Senior Assistant Commissioner for Services and Marketing, Mariamu Kobelo, said this year’s competition will be special because Ngorongoro offers multiple tourism attractions in one place, including wildlife tourism, photographic tourism, and human history.

She said participants will get an opportunity to learn a wide range of issues that will help sharpen their professional skills, noting that tour guides are important ambassadors of the tourism sector because they spend more time with visitors.

According to her, theNCAA decided to become the main sponsor and host of the competition in order to give participants practical exposure to the unique heritage of Ngorongoro, including the Laetoli site, which is famous for evidence of early human footprints.

She added that the authority is also using the event as part of its efforts to promote Ngorongoro attractions ahead of the AFCON tournament by linking Tanzania’s modern tourism appeal with the origin of mankind.

On her part, Jully Lyimo, an Assistant Commissioner from TANAPA’s Business Development, Tourism and Marketing Unit, said their sponsorship aims to strengthen cooperation between public institutions, the private sector and other tourism stakeholders.

She said tour guides remain a crucial group in the tourism industry because they are the ones who stay with visitors and provide information throughout their visits to national parks and other attractions.

Adding, Lyimo said TANAPA has introduced the Tanapa Go App, which will help participants and other stakeholders access tourism information more easily.

Chief Judge of the competition, Irene Mvile, said the Safari Field Challenge is an important platform for both participants and Tanzanians in general to learn more about the relationship between wildlife, plants, and everyday life.

Meanwhile, Tanzania Tour Guide Foundation Chairperson, Moses Patrick, said preparations for the competition have been completed, and organisers are determined to make this season more successful in attracting more tourists to the country.