Serengeti General Management Plan

F. Park Operations Programme
Action 2.4.3: Complete the construction of staff houses and office buildings at
Fort Ikoma, to enable administrative activities to be carried out at Fort Ikoma
SENAPA management will prioritise the budgeting of adequate financial resources to enable
the completion of the construction of office buildings and staff houses at Fort Ikoma. This will
enable the completion of the intended transfer of administration functions out of the Park and
will lead to a far more effective division of responsibilities between Fort Ikoma (administration)
and Seronera (tourism).
Target 2.5: SENAPA revenue generation improved
The sustainable conservation of SENAPA depends to a greater extent on the revenues generated
from tourism, which are then ploughed back into undertaking the necessary conservation
activities. In addition, SENAPA must generate revenues not just to fund its park operational
costs but also continue to fund operations in other parks that do not generate adequate
revenues. In view of this, the optimisation of economic benefits is crucial and a priority for
this GMP. Maximization of revenue collection from different sources will also be promoted
through tourism diversification (see Tourism Management Programme, Action 4.1.1).
The financial management improvements being implemented by the following management
actions, as described below, are all required to adhere to the Procurement Act of 2001 and
Financial Policies and Regulations.
Action 2.5.1: Minimise loss of revenues by improving internal controls
To ensure that revenues accrued from tourism are properly collected, recorded and stored,
SENAPA management will review its current financial management practices and control
systems and staff training requirements, with the view to plugging loopholes for revenue
losses. The insurance policy will also be reviewed to reflect the fast changing business environment.
Action 2.5.2: Computerise financial accounts, with written records for back-up
Full computerisation of park accounting is an emerging solution that is being adopted by
TANAPA Headquarters to prevent financial mismanagement. At the moment, a computerised
accounting system is being developed with an aim to improve collection, documentation and
security of revenue from gates and accommodation facilities within SENAPA.
This action will install this electronic accounting system at the Fort Ikoma headquarters,
Seronera, and all collection centres.
Action 2.5.3: Investigate new ways of collecting and monitoring revenue
In recent years innovative systems for collecting revenue have been applied to protected areas
systems in East Africa and further afield. For example in Kenya, payment of park fees is
increasingly being done by a SmartCard system. Under this system visitors are issued with
special cards, which must be pre-loaded with an adequate amount of money to cover the entry
fees for each park visited (for which a printed receipt is issued). On presenting this card at
the park gates, the relevant fees are deducted from the card. Once all the loaded money has
been spent, the card can be replenished at a point of sale or “loading” station. This and other
systems will be investigated for application within TANAPA protected areas.
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