Former CDF blesses Serengeti golf course
THE Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tanzania National Parks Association (TANAPA), General (rtd) George Waitara, has laid the foundation stone for the construction of a golf course in Serengeti National Park.
The course is named Serengeti National Park Golf Course and it is unique in the world.
The course whose construction will be due soon will be found at Fort Ikoma area in Serengeti Mara.
Speaking during a ceremony to lay the course’s foundation stone and the launch of the investment company Tanapa Investment Ltd, Waitara said the main purpose of starting this tourism product is to support the Government’s efforts in increasing the number of tourists to reach five million and the revenue to reach six billion US dollars by 2025.
“It is clear that due to the popularity of the Serengeti National Park, we have every reason to believe that this new tourism product will be a great attraction and a catalyst for increasing the income through tourism in our organisation and the Nation as a whole.
“The first part of the project has been completed where two holes and the practice areas have been completed and the network of other 16 holes has also been completed. I call on investors and tourism businesses to recognise the existence of this product, advertise it and finally bring golf players who will also tour in different parts of our country,” said Waitara.
On his part, the Conservation Commissioner, from TANAPA, William Mwakilema said this project is being implemented by Tanapa Investment Limited, which has been established under the government’s instructions to carry out various construction activities inside and outside the national parks.
“Upon its completion the course will host more than 3,000 golfers per year, and TANAPA expects to earn 2bn/- per year. We will work closely with the TANAPA Investment Ltd.
“We are very grateful to TANAPA and especially the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TANAPA, Gen Waitara for developing sports in the country, especially golf and promising to bring major international competitions to the course as it meets international standards.
The construction of the course is expected to cost over 7.5bn/-,” said Mwakilema.
