Tanzania Allocates $3.2 Million to Repair Serengeti Roads After Flood Damage

Tanzania's government has announced it will release 8.1 billion Tanzanian shillings (approximately $3.2 million) to repair roads and bridges in Serengeti National Park, following extensive damage caused by heavy rains linked to climate change.

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Ashatu Kijaji made the announcement during an inspection tour of the park on Sunday, emphasising that funds would be released urgently to restore infrastructure critical to tourism operations.

In the interim, Serengeti Chief Park Warden Ismail Omary confirmed that emergency measures have already been implemented, including temporary road and bridge repairs, deployment of security personnel, and emergency accommodation for stranded visitors and drivers.

Park authorities also assisted in rescuing stranded vehicles and waived overstay fees for tourists delayed by the damage. Spanning approximately 14,750 square kilometres in northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park is one of Africa's most visited wildlife destinations, making the swift restoration of its access routes a priority for the country's tourism sector.

She said the government would urgently release the funds to ensure the timely rehabilitation of the affected infrastructure, including bridges and roads critical for tourism activities in the park.

"I urge tour guides to strictly follow instructions from rescue officers deployed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority in areas affected by the rains," Kijaji said.

Serengeti Chief Park Warden Ismail Omary said the park had already taken emergency measures following the damage, including temporary repairs to roads and bridges, deployment of security personnel, and provision of emergency accommodation for stranded visitors and drivers.

Omary added that park authorities also assisted in rescuing stranded vehicles and waived overstay fees for tourists whose departures were delayed due to damaged roads.

Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania is a vast protected savanna ecosystem covering about 14,750 square kilometers, famous for its sweeping grasslands, scattered acacia trees, rocky kopjes, and one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the world. 

Original article : https://news.az/news/tanzania-to-repair-infrastructure