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May 17 2020
Wildlife Tourism in Tanzania and Kenya
Wildlife Tourism in Tanzania and Kenya 2018
Introduction
The world is full of exotic and
eathtaking places which can offer lifetime experience to the travelers. There are several niche tourisms like adventure tour, heritage tour, wellness tour, dark tour and wildlife tour is the most exciting of them. Wildlife tourism is being heralded as the way to secure sustainable economic benefits while supporting wildlife conservation and the local communities (M.J.Manfredo, 2002). Wildlife tourism is the tourism that is based on the encounters with the wild animals and these encounters can either be in captivity or in their natural environment. The wildlife safaris of Africa are the most sought after in the world and gives an unexplored and unfathomable experience as it provides the rare privilege of seeing the native animals in the African jungles. Africa is home to some iconic creatures like rhinos, giraffes, ze
a, leopards, wildebeest and many more. From magnificent black-manned lions to mud-bathing elephants the travelers can see almost everything here and enjoy the scenery of the wildlife sanctuaries of several places in Africa. The African safari can take you from the savannah to deep into the jungles amidst the most dangerous species in the world.
The East African region of Africa is the lover’s paradise for all those who seek adventure and have love for the animals. Kenya and Tanzania are the two flagship destinations in East Africa which attract large numbers of tourists every year as the two countries are known to have rare to find classic safari images. These are the two most iconic destinations for the animal lovers as both the countries are home to some exceptional attractions and their reserves are well known for their abundant wildlife. In Kenya one can start the safari in Ambosely to get the perfect view of Mt. Kilimanjaro followed by Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru and in Tanzania northern Safari circuit combines going to Serengeti with Ngorongoro Crater and the Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara.
Tourism Policy of Kenya
Wildlife is the biggest attraction in Tanzania and Kenya but both the countries offer many other activities also. The tourism policy of Kenya is elaborate as Kenya is country rich in natural resources, it is categorized as a mega-diverse country under the Convention on Biological Diversity Kenya. Kenya is known to have one of the richest and most diversified wildlife in Africa. Sustainability and maximizing benefits are the goals of the Kenyan government and it is defined as the need of the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the future (Higginbottom, 2004). The wildlife resources make direct and indirect contribution in the Kenyan tourism industry the data of 2006 states that the wildlife accounted for 70% of the tourism industry of Kenya and it has been on increase every since (Wildlife, 2011).
Tourism Policy of Tanzania
The overall motive of the tourism policy of Tanzania is to boost the economy of the country, the tourism industry of Tanzania includes both the private and public sectors. The first National Tourism Policy was adopted in 1991 in Tanzania to provide necessary objectives and strategies for the sustainable development. The country has Integrated Tourism Master Plan that has outlined the strategies, it entails on
· Creating greater awareness of Tanzania in tourism
· Expanding tourism products
· Maximizing the necessary service skills
The tourism policy of Tanzania was revised in 1999 to acknowledge the private sectors who are considered to be playing the key role in boosting the economy of the country while meeting some significant challenges (Melubo, 2017). Following with the policy the private sector took the role of identifying, promoting and developing the marketing tourist attractions. In Tanzania the government consider the private investments are the growth engine. The country also offers investment incentive packages like Zero percent import duty on project capital goods, Recognition of private property and protection against non-commercial risks (Tourism Policy and Strategies in Tanzania ) etc.
Stakeholders Involved
Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), is a state corporation established with the Act of Parliament (Cap 376), but is now repealed by WCMA (2013) to manage and conserve the wild life of Kenya. It has a mission to work towards sustainable conservation, management of national parks and enhancement of the wildlife of Kenya, provide security for the wildlife, undertake and conduct enforcement activities, establish forensic laboratories. Most of the Kenya’s national parks and reserves rely on the su
ounding communities and the private land owners, the wildlife conservation department employs multi-sect oral approach in working with these communities. There are also many NGOs working for the protection of the wild life sanctuaries in Kenya, the Kenya Wildlife Conservation Forum (KWCF) is one such organization others include Kenya Land Conservation Trust, Kenya Young etc.
Tanzania is the largest Sub-Saharan African country and wildlife tourism forms the billion dollar tourism industry in Tanzania. Tourist hunting generate lot of revenues in the country an estimated 6,44,144 tourists visited the country in 2006 that backed the economy of the country (Shauri, 1999). There are many NGOs working for the protection of the wildlife in Tanzania, these organizations are dedicated for the protection and conservation of the wildlife in Tanzania. Tanzania Natural Resource Forum is one such organization offering dedicated services for the protection of the wildlife in Tanzania and it directly benefits the tourism industry of the country. Tanzania National Parks Authority, Conservation Resource Center and African Wildlife Foundation are other such organizations (J.R.Kideghesho).
Consumer Participating in This Form of Tourism and Their Motivations
Sustainable wildlife tourism requires to have an understanding of the visitors so that the programs can be designed to influence the behavior of the visitors and to support and enhance the quality of experience. The consumer participation in Kenya’s wildlife sanctuaries is very high as the country boasts to have globally recognized model of wildlife management and it provides internationally significant habitat for the animals. Kenya is known for its magnificent wildlife destinations and its parks and wildlife sanctuaries boast to have most diverse population of animals in the world. The world class birds can also be found in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley Lakes like Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria (Safari).
Tourism business is sustainable in Tanzania also as the ecotourism operations follow the principles of the sustainable development. Tourism in Tanzania is seen as the fastest growing sector the contribution to tourism receipts to total of revenues in this country is within the range of 20-80% and therefore this industry provides foreign exchange, employment and generate public revenue (S.B.Mariki, 2011)Kenya is known to have many areas of tourist attractions like the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). Kilimanjaro National Park, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park
Future Challenges
Many studies reveal the dark sides of the wildlife as thousands of animals are slaughtered every year to meet the consumer’s demands. Hundreds and thousands of the African lions are killed every year and United States is the world’s largest importer of the lion parts. Nicole Paquette in her article states that, ‘the lions are systematically trapped and tamed and are released into the fenced enclosure to be shot for the trophies’ (Paquette, 2015). Unlike other wildlife sanctuaries in Africa even Kenya is facing some major challenges as there is loss of biological diversity. The use of the land is changing the favoring agriculture and constant u
an development has led to the modification and reduction of the wild areas which is resulting in the extinction of many species (Wildlife, 2011). At present many wildlife occurs outside the protected areas of the land that is owned by the communities and many of these communities consider the wildlife as threat rather than benefit. The eco system of Kenya is under threat as there is significant loss of biodiversity and there is wide range of conflicting land use activities.
Policy and Legislation
The Session Paper No. 3 of 1975 entitled “A Statement on Future Wildlife Management Policy in Kenya” aims at wildlife conservation:
· Identifies primary goal of wildlife conservation
· Points out need to identify and implement compatible land use.
· It underscores need for integrated approach to wildlife conservation.
· Identifies government’s responsibility to pay compensation for the damages caused.
Tanzania is considered to be Africa’s most important nation for conservation but is ironically losing habitat and natural. In order to have effective protection of the wildlife the country needs to have strengthen laws and it should address the capacity deficit and technical skills. It is extremely important to introduce the new changes by
inging new models for natural resource management through capacity building, corporate payment, ecosystem services and by empowering the non-government organizations as they play significant role in conservation of the wildlife. The target can also be achieved by addressing the issue of governance in the country and by collaborating with the International community For a glorified future of the Tanzania wildlife the country must work towards greater protection of the wildlife in Tanzania.
What can be done
Wildlife of the two countries is the major attraction and there is much scope of working on it and to fight the egregious practices. The countries must make all efforts to cu
illegal hunting and protect the wild animals against poaching and safeguard other species from extinction. The government must continue to promote the protection of the wildlife and provide the private stakeholders so that they can continue to work to safeguard the wildlife of Africa.
Potential Impact of the Development
Development has impacted everything the increasing development has had some serious implications on the wildlife of Kenya. The uncontrolled wildlife tourism n Maasai Mara National Reserve has caused threat to its natural areas, this has lead to putting enormous pressure on the natural resources that leads to soil erosion, increases the pollution and results in the loss of natural inhabitants. Due to development there is increased pressure on the endangered species as it has increased their vulnerability. The different stakeholders should therefore join hand for fighting the adversities and for the protection of the national reserves.
There has been negative impact of development in Tanzania as well the illegal ivory trade has lead to killing of thousands of elephants every year. Report produced by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species shows that 80% of the ivory seizers happen in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya (Mniwasa, 2001). There is constant deforestation in Tanzania as majority of Tanzanians rely on woods to meet their energy needs due to which there is organized timber crime that causes millions of dollars revenue loss every year.
Recommendations
It is visualized that there has been lately been poor performance in the tourism industry in past few years Kenya has been offering limited tourism product based in beach and wildlife. The modern tourists from different parts of the world now understand the negative impact of mass tourism and are therefore looking for alternative products which provide deep and meaningful experience. Thus in order to rejuvenate the tourism industry Kenya must look for providing more diverse and alternative tourism products that may appeal the modern day tourist.
The declination in the tourism industry in Kenya can also be refu
ished by making genuine efforts so that the domestic tourism can compete with the international tourism. It is therefore necessary to go serious for the program and strategies in the Tourism Master Plan and in the National Tourism Policy. the country must also increase the numbers of institutions that provide training on tourism to different cadre an strengthen the few which are already in existence. Combination of approaches should be used to improve the domestic tourism. The tourism industry must also focus on the marketing strategy with the prime objective of improving the geographical spread of tourism along with ensuring that appropriate information is disseminated to all levels through various media channels. It is extremely important to diversify the tourism products into various categories in order to attract large numbers of tourists.
Works Cited
Akama, J. S. (2001 ). Tourism Product Developoment and the Changing Demand: A Case Study of Kenya . Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Rsearch , 56-62.
Higginbottom, K. (2004). Wildlife Tourism; impact, Managemnet and Planning. Altona : National Li
ary of Australia .
J.R.Kideghesho. (n.d.). Who Pays for Wildlife Conservation in Tanzania and Who Benefits . Retrieved from https:
dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/dlc
itstream/handle/10535/587/Kideghesho_102301.pdf?sequence=1
M.J.Manfredo. (2002). Wildlife Watching in North America : A Managemnt Planning Handbook . Oregon : Oregon State University Press .
Melubo, K. (2017). Tanzania Tourism Policy Review Conference . Antolia: An International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research , 595-597.
Mniwasa, E. (2001). Environmental Problems in Tanzania . Retrieved from http:
wwf.panda.org/wwf_offices/tanzania/environmental_problems__in_tanzania
Paquette, N. (2015, Aug 4). Lion 'Factory Farms', and the Dark Side of Wildlife Tourism . Retrieved from livescience.com: https:
www.livescience.com/51745-lion-factory-farms-exposed-as-cecil-hunt-draws-
oader-scrutiny.html
S.B.Mariki. (2011). Wildlife Based Domestic Tourism in Tanzania. Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management , 62-73.
Safari, A. M. (n.d.). Tenn Reasons to Visit Africa . Retrieved from http:
www.africanmeccasafaris.com/travel-guide/kenya/why-visit-for-vacations-holidays
Shauri, V. (1999). The WIldlife Policy in Tanzania . Retrieved from tanzaniagateway.org : http:
www.tanzaniagateway.org/docs/The%20new_wildlife_policy_in_Tanzania.pdf
Tourism Policy and Strategies in Tanzania . (n.d.). Retrieved from http:
www.tanzaniagateway.org/docs/tourismpolicyandstrategies.pdf
Wildlife, M. o. (2011). Draft Wildlife Policy . Republic of the Kenya .