Serengeti General Management Plan

D. Tourism Management Programme
No game viewing by vehicles is permitted in the Wilderness Zone, with visitor use being restricted
to walking safaris. Two types of walking safaris will be permitted. Firstly, fly camping,
where all the equipment and supplies will be carried by the walking group and secondly, vehicle-supported
camping, where camping equipment and supplies will be driven in on designated
access roads. Within the Wilderness Zone the “Leave No Trace” Principles of outdoor
ethics will apply. These are:
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
In addition to the zonal prescriptions there are general park-wide tourism prescriptions that
must be observed in all zones. These are outlined in the box below:
Park-wide Tourism Use & Impact Regulations
� Maximum of single axle 7-tonne vehicles for all access roads, unless otherwise
stated
� Discourage use of deadwood for heating and cooking (specific guidelines under development
by TATO)
� SENAPA management may at any time designate areas in any park zone that are
off limits to tourists and tour operators for reasons such as:
• Preventing disturbance for breeding or reintroduced animals, e.g. rhinos
• Allowing recovery of vegetation
• Minimising security risks, e.g. in park border areas neighbouring hunting zones
� SENAPA management will make every effort where practical to give sufficient notice
to tour operators of the designation of such off-limits areas, together with a clear description
of the location and extent of such areas, and the expected time that the
area will remain off limits
� No vehicle access is permitted in a 2km exclusion strip adjacent to all of SENAPA’s
boundaries. In addition, the Park boundary may only be crossed at designated Park
Entry Points.
It will be necessary to make sure that all users of SENAPA are fully aware of the zonal and
park-wide prescriptions, so as to ensure that there are no excuses for non-compliance. Under
this management action, efforts will focus on ensuring that all park staff, tour operators
and drivers are made aware of the zone boundaries, and the implications for their day-to-day
activities and operations. SENAPA management will collaborate with tour operators in training
guides and drivers in the Zoning Scheme. This training will initially focus on the Wilderness
Zone, which is the most innovative of the zones and requires high-levels of specialist
skills from the approved tour operators in the zone. Other areas of training that will be considered
will be off-road driver training in the Low Use Zone. The wider distribution of information
explaining the Zoning Scheme and tourism prescriptions will be implemented under Action
1.1.3.
Action 1.1.2: Implement a code of conduct for tour operators and visitors
It is vital that visitors are made aware of the park rules and regulations, and that they actively
support and encourage their tour guides and drivers to follow them and vice versa. However,
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