Serengeti General Management Plan

Serengeti National Park General Management Plan
In addition, SENAPA management will seek ways to check that all revenues are being properly
collected through closer cooperation with tour operators and cross checking gate revenues
with receipts at accommodation facilities.
Action 2.5.4: Promote and support a review by TANAPA HQ for increasing the
fines and penalties for breaking park rules so as to create a greater deterrence to
non-compliance
As shown in Table D.7 in the Tourism Management Programme, every year there are reported
visitor offences, such as entering and camping within the Park without paying. At present
the fines for those who are caught are very low, at approximately Tshs 12,000, and it is
felt that these do not provide a sufficient disincentive to potential offenders. SENAPA management
will provide relevant information and advice to TANAPA HQ in reviewing the fining
system in favour of penalties that provide effective disincentives. This may not be limited to
monetary fines, but also access rights to the Serengeti.
Objective 3: SENAPA infrastructure and service standards
improved
The desired future state of SENAPA is one where appropriate and well-maintained infrastructure
supports and enables a high standard of services within the Park. These high standards
will provide an improved tourism experience and enable increased visitor numbers, whilst not
compromising the status of the Park resources and values. The three management targets to
achieve this desired state are focused on the road network, water supplies and minimisation
of environmental impacts.
Target 3.1: SENAPA road network improved
SENAPA management will keep new road building in SENAPA to a minimum, due to the
costs involved and the desire to maintain the wilderness characteristics of the Park. The
main management focus for this target is therefore the maintenance of the existing road network,
in line with the new GMP Zoning Scheme outlined in Section B. However, if SENAPA
management does deem further roads necessary to support expanded tourism opportunities
or SENAPA management operations, then a full site-specific environmental impact assessment
will be conducted according to the DALP and PEA. In order to meet this management
target, the following management actions have been formulated, as described below.
Action 3.1.1: Regularly monitor road wear and tear and carry out necessary maintenance
and construction, especially transit roads
An estimated 200,000 visitors travel through the Serengeti every year (see Figure D.2
above). This results in considerable wear and tear on the road network; especially for the
transit roads that have to withstand the buses and lorries, as well as the tourist vehicles. It is
critical that roads are routinely maintained, because once the condition of a road deteriorates
beyond a certain point, restoration becomes extremely costly and labour intensive. The routine
maintenance of roads will require the upgrading and purchasing of heavy machinery and
equipment.
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