TANAPA investing £3.6m to improve access for Serengeti NP

The Ministry of Tourism and TANAPA are investing TSh12.6 billion (£3.6m) in infrastructure improvements within Serengeti National Park.

The largest component of the programme is the redevelopment of the 121-kilometre Ndabaka-Seronera road - the main gateway connecting the Serengeti to western Tanzania. This aims to ensure year-round access to one of the world's most celebrated wildlife destinations while strengthening conservation management in the face of increasingly extreme weather conditions.

The £2m project includes extensive road grading, construction of seven box culverts and the elevation of flood-prone sections to improve resilience during heavy rains. Construction began in June and is scheduled for completion in December 2026.

Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) has emphasised that all construction must meet rigorous engineering and environmental standards in keeping with the park's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the dual objective of improving visitor experience and preserving th

"The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, is making significant investments to ensure that efforts to market Destination Tanzania are matched by quality infrastructure and services," said Catherine Mbena, Assistant Conservation Commissioner for Corporate Communications at Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA).

An additional £2.3m has been allocated for the construction of bridges and river crossings at Banagi, Mti wa Rangi, Naabi, Kwa Bona and Mokas. Geological investigations have been completed, and engineering designs are currently being finalised ahead of construction.

According to TANAPA Conservation Commissioner Musa Nasoro Kuji, "Our objective is to ensure infrastructure development supports conservation rather than compromises it. Reliable transport infrastructure strengthens park management, improves visitor experience and promotes sustainable tourism while safeguarding the Serengeti's ecological integrity for future generations."

Developing infrastructure inside a protected ecosystem requires strict environmental and engineering standards. TANAPA engineer Abubakari Avanda Mshamu said every project is being designed to withstand increasingly severe weather while minimizing ecological impact. "We are ensuring that construction materials and structural designs are fully compatible with the Serengeti ecosystem and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our goal is to build resilient infrastructure while preserving the park's outstanding universal value."

By improving accessibility without compromising conservation, the government aims to ensure that tourism, environmental stewardship and economic growth continue to reinforce one another for generations to come.