Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) revenue rose to 534bn/- in the 2025/2026 financial year, more than tripling its collections since 2021/2022.
The authority’s revenue growth coincided with tourist arrivals increasing to more than 1.5 million visitors. TANAPA Conservation Commissioner Massana Mwishawa presented these figures during a media briefing in Dar es Salaam, where he detailed the organization’s achievements under the sixth-phase government led by President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
According to Daily News, collections climbed from 174bn/- in 2021/2022 to 534bn/- in 2025/2026, marking an average annual growth of about 40 per cent. This financial surge follows a period of recovery for the tourism industry after the pandemic-related disruptions of 2021. Mr. Mwishawa attributed the improved performance to the recovery of the industry and credited President Samia’s promotion of tourism through the Royal Tour documentary for raising Tanzania’s international profile.
Tourist Arrivals Rise Despite Domestic Fluctuations
Tourist arrivals saw significant upward movement, rising from 708,319 recorded in 2021/2022 to 1,559,641 in the 2025/2026 financial year. The Citizen reported that while international tourism grew, domestic arrivals fluctuated, rising from 321,583 in 2023/24 to over 400,000 in 2024/25 before declining to approximately 385,000 in 2025/26.
Mr. Mwishawa said that domestic tourism has recorded modest growth and said that stronger promotion is required to encourage more Tanzanians to visit the parks. Daily News provided specific domestic visitor counts of 325,060 in 2023/2024, 412,983 in 2024/2025, and 381,341 in 2025/2026.
Mr. Mwishawa confirmed the authority has identified 160 new investment sites for development.
To attract further privatesector investment, TANAPA has identified 160 new investment sites, comprising 30 lodge sites and 130 camping sites.
Massana Mwishawa, TANAPA Conservation Commissioner
The organization is also targeting the eastern, southern, and western tourism circuits for these opportunities. This strategy aims to attract investors capable of developing new destinations. The Citizen said that plans include introducing water-based tourism on Lake Victoria to link attractions around Serengeti National Park, Saanane Island, and Rubondo Island National Park.
Under these proposed routes, private operators would provide vessels, such as luxury boats, while TANAPA facilitates infrastructure and tourism arrangements. These routes are intended to allow visitors to interact with local cultures and communities, providing business opportunities for residents.
Conservation efforts and wildlife recovery
These efforts support intensified field operations; Daily News reported that the authority conducted 301,314 patrols out of 314,940 planned operations. In terms of restoring ecosystems, the agency managed invasive plant species across 15 national parks covering 9,440.22 hectares and performed bush clearance on 1,546 hectares of land in Lake Manyara.
Law enforcement actions resulted in the arrest of 30,559 suspected poachers and the seizure of various illegal items.
We also confiscated 65,860 livestock found illegally inside national parks, seized 105 firearms and removed 10,971 wire snares.
Massana Mwishawa, TANAPA Conservation Commissioner
Conservation interventions have also impacted specific species populations. The rhino population grew from 128 in 2021 to an estimated 170 in 2026, while habituated chimpanzees increased from 196 to 288 during the same period. Ongoing work to rebuild the African wild dog population includes the release of 25 animals into natural habitats and the presence of 12 animals in a breeding zone within Mkomazi National Park.
Infrastructure and community engagement
To improve access to remote areas, TANAPA has supported the construction of four airstrips, including facilities in Ruaha and Mikumi national parks and Mtemere in Nyerere National Park. Further infrastructure projects include a 6.6-kilometre tarmac road from Kibaoni toward Tarangire National Park.
The authority also constructed 10 radio towers and three modern communication facilities in Mkomazi, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Serengeti national parks. Investment in accommodation has increased bed capacity from 5,755 in 2021 to 12,094 in 2026, covering hostels, seasonal and permanent camps, community camps, and lodges. Sports tourism grew following the launch of a golf course at Fort Ikoma in the Serengeti ecosystem.
The authority is also working to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, which saw 2,194 reported incidents across 260 villages. To enable faster responses when animals enter community areas, TANAPA plans to expand ranger posts and strengthen communication systems.
According to Mwishawa, TANAPA has strengthened ties with nearby communities by funding social infrastructure, such as two classrooms, a girls’ dormitory, a teachers’ house, three dispensaries, two traditional healer houses, a village office, and six ranger posts. The College of African Wildlife Management in Mweka also trained 410 young people who had finished secondary or Standard Seven education but lacked jobs.
To reach wider audiences, the organization uses digital platforms like the Tanzania app, which details park attractions, services, access routes, and investment opportunities. Another platform, KwaniKasi, distributes promotional content through international networks; Mr. Mwishawa stated this platform reached over 120 million people during the 2021/22 financial year.
Looking ahead, TANAPA is developing tourism packages with private-sector partners in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The authority also announced a major conservation awards event scheduled for December 12 in Serengeti National Park.
Earlier coverage: Kenya Projects 20% Tourism Growth After WTM London Success