Tanzania is endowed with some of Africa’s most magnificent wildlife and landscapes, making it a premier destination for both tourism and wildlife conservation. The country’s rich biodiversity, encompassing the iconic Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro and the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, plays a vital role in its appeal. Despite various global challenges, including the recent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tanzania’s tourism sector has shown resilience. It is on the rise, earning a world record as the Best Performing Destinations in Africa for the year 2024 by the UN Tourism – April 2025, while holding a 9th position in the world and 3rd in Africa for the increase in revenue.
In the last decade, the government of Tanzania has made significant investments in tourism infrastructure and the legal landscape, bolstering its position as a competitive destination for eco-tourism and wildlife enthusiasts. According to the latest data from the Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics, tourism contributes approximately 7% of the national GDP and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs. Furthermore, according to the 2025/2026 ministerial budget highlights, revenue from tourism activities has increased from US$1.3 Billion in 2021 to US$3.9 Billion in 2024, equivalent to a 200% increase in international tourists. In addition, revenue from domestic tourism has increased from TZS 11.46B in 2021 to TZS 209.8 B in 2024, which is equivalent to a 353.1% increase. This has made Tanzania the 9th country in the world and the 3rd in Africa in terms of revenue growth compared to the pre–COVID–19 situation.
Significantly, Tanzania holds great promise for expansion in specialised sectors like sustainable and community-based tourism, which is in line with the global shift towards responsible travel. This focus on sustainability has increasingly garnered the attention of international travelers, enhancing Tanzania’s prospects as a leader in responsible tourism.
Nevertheless, the continued success of the tourism sector is intricately linked to effective wildlife conservation. Safeguarding habitats and ecosystems are essential not only for the survival of species but also for the sustainability of the tourism industry. A delicate balance between conservation efforts and tourism development requires robust regulatory frameworks that support both goals. In this context, the Tanzanian government promulgated the Wildlife Conservation (Non-consumptive Wildlife Utilization) Regulations in 2016. These Regulations were amended in 2024 through GN No. 875 of 2024 and published on 25/10/2024. Notably, both Regulations aims to enhance non-consumptive wildlife utilization. The amendments made in 2024 provide critical aspects geared towards refining the governance of wildlife resources and the operational practices of tourism, particularly in relation to non-consumptive activities such as wildlife viewing and ecotourism. This Article highlights the key changes made by the Amendment Regulations, while offering critiques aimed at providing recommendations for improvements.
The 2024 Amendment Regulations introduced several key changes to the 2016 Regulations that affect wildlife conservation and tourism stakeholders significantly. These include: –
- Application of the Regulations- Regulation 2
The 2024 Amendment Regulations through regulation 2 have widened their application to a range of areas, such as wildlife corridors, migratory routes, dispersal areas, buffer zones, open ranches, public captivity facilities, and other areas with wildlife resources. It is our observation that this application is too wide and poses significant challenges, especially in implementation. This is because many areas which could potentially be categorised as the “wildlife corridors, migratory routes, wildlife dispersal areas, buffer zones, open wildlife ranches and public captivity facilities” have not been assessed, designated, declared or gazetted as such by the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) contrary to Section 22 of the Wildlife Conservation Act, making it impossible to identity, manage boundaries and non-consumptive uses.
Furthermore, the inclusion of the word ‘other areas with wildlife resources’ implicates all areas, including village lands and other privately owned land in Tanzania, provided they have wildlife resources. Allowing this will not only undermine community and private owners’ interests in these areas but also demote other tourism products in wildlife, affect investment in tourism, and potentially wipe off emerging Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in these areas. This may also create endless conflicts between the Wildlife Management Authority, Wildlife Management Areas Associations, private landowners, and villagers whose land contains wildlife resources due to conflicting interests.
In light of this ambiguity, we recommend that the Regulations should be amended by removing ambiguous terminology, such as “other areas with wildlife resources”, to clarify the parameters of conservation regulations and reduce legal disputes, particularly pertinent for privately owned lands. Such clarity is crucial, given the increasing role of private stakeholders in wildlife conservation and tourism initiatives.
Our further recommendation is that the MNRT, in consultation with TAWA and tourism stakeholders, conduct a comprehensive assessment of all areas that are potentially wildlife corridors, migratory routes, wildlife dispersal areas, buffer zones, open wildlife ranches, public captivity facilities, and other areas with wildlife resources (including those privately owned). Upon assessment, to declare and gazette them accordingly in order to elevate their status. This will promote more investment appetite in these areas, encourage conservation, and ultimately achieve the national goal of attracting more tourism, while paving the way to smooth enforcement of these regulations in the future.
- Increment of non-consumptive activities fee structures -Regulation 9
The 2024 Amendment Regulations under regulation 9 and the 4th Schedule of Amendment Regulations amend the previous non-consumptive activity fee structure. The new rates indicate increments of between 100% and some by more than 200% from the previous rates. Additionally, charges are being implemented in all areas, such as Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), open areas, buffer zones, dispersal areas, and other areas with wildlife resource, while there are no tourist activities being conducted in these areas. Most tourists visit these areas for an overnight stay (accommodation) only and use parks and other well-established areas for game viewing and safaris because these areas offer more to see compared to where most accommodation facilities are located. These fees are perceived as burdensome and can disproportionately impact small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which play a vital role in the tourism ecosystem. The financial strain induced by these fees could dissuade potential investors, diminish economic opportunities for communities, and stunt tourism growth. We acknowledge that following the concerns raised by tourism stakeholders, the new rates have been suspended until 31 December 2025. This being a temporary solution, it is our recommendation that these fees be reduced at reasonable rates considering where they apply and in comprehensive consultation of tour stakeholders especially tour operators to reflect on ground market realities and avoid creating tensions.
- Entry and Exit points- Regulation 8 of Amendment Regulations
Additionally, the amendments stipulate regulations regarding the Authority’s mandate to establish exit and entry points in all wildlife areas. The implication here is that the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) will unilaterally establish entry and exit points in all areas with wildlife resources, including privately owned land without consulting the owners, contrary to the Wildlife Conservation Act, Village Land Act and Land Act which require notification and consultation of the villagers. This could also be viewed as trespassing especially for private land owners. Although this stipulation aims to promote cooperation between conservation efforts and private interests, thereby fostering a collaborative environment for responsible tourism, it also highlights the need for greater transparency and clear communication to ensure that all stakeholders are adequately informed and involved in the decision-making processes. Thus, we recommend amendment to regulation 8 in the sense that prior to establishing entry and exit points, especially in areas occupied by villagers and private landowners, the Authority promptly and adequately informs and engages with these stakeholders.
- Introduction of 20% transfer fee for change of ownership- Regulation 7 of Amendment Regulations
The new regulation also amended the 2016 Regulations by subjecting the change in ownership of tented camps, lodges, or similar establishments in the Game Reserve (GR) and Game Controlled Areas (GCA) to pay a transfer fee of 20% of the Chief Government Valuer’s established market value, in addition to obtaining prior approval. Restriction on tourist accommodation facility ownership transfer and the application of 20% market value-based transfer fees elicit concerns regarding potential double taxation and bureaucratic inefficiencies that could deter investment in the sector. This is because (i) investors are similarly required to pay the Capital Gain Tax (CGT) on the transfer, (ii) where transacting parties meet the threshold under Tanzania’s ant trust laws, the transaction will be subjected to the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) clearance fee and (iii) subjecting the transfer to valuation approved by the Chief Government Valuer (CGV) also requires the transferor to pay valuation fees to both CGV’s fee of not less than 1% of value, cumulatively adding a significant financial burden on investors on a single transaction. This approach ignores the fact that the transfer means continued investment and an extended stream of revenue for the government, as opposed to the surrender of the facility to the conservation area authority.
Furthermore, the need to obtain prior approval also attracts potential delays in transactions due to bureaucratic bottlenecks and could potentially reduce investors’ confidence in investing in these areas in Tanzania. If the amendments of 2024 are left as they are, they would potentially discourage investors from setting up quality investments because of the financial burdens associated with the transfer when the investor wants to exit the market.Thus, we recommend that the regulation be amended by removing or reducing the rate charged on change of ownership to reflect transaction financial realities such as CGT, Stamp Duty and FCC, and show a competitive edge used by other regulators while taking account of local and foreign ownership. Similarly, we recommend the amendment to reflect notification of change of ownership instead of approval to smoothen transfer process and avoid unnecessary delays which could deter transaction process.
The establishment of the Wildlife Conservation (Non-consumptive Wildlife Utilization) Regulations in 2016 and its amendment in the year 2024 through GN No. 875 of 2024 aims to enhance non-consumptive wildlife utilization and they provide critical aspects geared towards refining the governance of wildlife resources and the operational practices of tourism, particularly in relation to non-consumptive activities such as wildlife viewing and ecotourism. However, as stakeholders grapple with the implications of these amendments, it has become increasingly evident that a holistic approach to wildlife conservation and tourism must be employed. Addressing economic burdens through the introduction of incentives could mitigate the impact on smaller operators and promote sustainable investment in the sector, while supporting local communities.
Furthermore, encouraging periodic regulatory reviews based on stakeholder feedback and economic trends can help ensure that the amendments remain relevant and effective in achieving the dual objectives of wildlife conservation and tourism growth. Clear and consistent guidelines are imperative to navigate potential overlaps in regulations and enhance investor confidence.
Finally, it is our observation that the relationship between wildlife conservation and tourism in Tanzania is dynamic and requires ongoing attention and collaboration among all stakeholders involved. The 2024 amendments to the Wildlife Conservation Regulations present a critical juncture in the regulatory landscape, with the potential to shape the future of both conservation and tourism in the country. By fostering a cooperative and transparent approach to regulation, Tanzania can further solidify its position as a world-class destination for responsible tourism, while ensuring the protection of its invaluable natural resources and investments thereof.
