Makuyuni Wildlife Park spices up tourism activities

Arusha has continued to cement its status as a tourist magnet in the region following the establishment of Makuyuni Wildlfe Park.

Located within the within Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem, park covers an area of 49 square kilometers and is located 70 kilometers drive from Arusha City at the Arusha-Babati, Makuyuni –Karatu, highways junction.

Wildlife species available in this area include elephant, masai giraffe, buffaloes, oryx, wildebeest, lesser and greater kudu, African wild dog, lion, zebra and impala.

Speaking here on Tuesday, while handing over the Park to the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), Monduli District Commissioner Joshua Nassari challenged the conservation agency to use the park in promoting tourism.

According to Mr Nassari, the once farming estate had now become an ideal place for conservation and tourism activities.

“You should strive to promote this place as the government continues to bank on the tourism sector in accruing revenues,” he said.

The TAWA-acquired wildlife park was once part of the Steyn estate, which also included the Lente, Amani and Loldebes farm estates, located at Makuyuni area.

According to the Monduli District Commissioner, such was a prime area, urging TAWA to look for potential investors to manage the park.

In August this year, TAWA issued a notice, floating the Makuyuni Wildlife Park to the market to a potential investor who will invest in a number of sites found in the area.

According to the authority, the area is suitable for a number of tourism activities like hiking, picnic, game viewing, sports, camping, rock climbing, ziplining, nature walks, and star gazing.

Others are, sundowners and special events like cultural tourism from the adjacent Masai tribe, corporate meetings, anniversaries and bonanza.

For his part, TAWA Board Chairperson Major General (Retired) Hamis Semfuko said the authority was keen on optimally using the area in bolstering the $2billion-a-year industry.

He said: We will use the Park in not only promoting tourism activities, but also creating employment opportunities.
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