Serengeti General Management Plan

D. Tourism Management Programme
is possible for a walking safari group to book adjacent blocks, so as increase the length of
their safari.
If the pilot scheme generates greater demand than capacity, then the Tourism Department
will look into the re-design of the walking safari system, so as to allow more than one walking
group per block. In this scenario, walking groups will move along a linear route, starting and
finishing at the same specified points. Therefore, rather than have a maximum of one group
per block, there will be a maximum of one group per campsite location.
Before authorised Walking Safari Operators can commence operations, a booking system
will be put in place, as developed by Action 4.1.4 below.
Action 1.2.3: Develop short interpretive trail walks from designated points, as appropriate
Short interpretive trail walks will typically be only a few kilometres in length, which with a welltrained
guide will take several hours to complete. In the High Use Zone, these trail walks will
typically be up to one hour in duration, whereas in the Low Use Zone these walks may extend
up to four hours. The walks will originate from accommodation facilities or other
SENAPA designated areas, according to the recommendations made in the survey for tourism
sinks (see Action 1.2.1). Concession-holders with walks originating from their accommodations
facilities will bear the costs and responsibility for their operation; although a TANAPA
armed ranger will be required to accompany all walks. Interpretive walks originating from
other designated sites will be the responsibility of SENAPA management.
TANAPA Walking Safari Guidelines will define the operating parameters and booking system
for these short interpretive walks. Currently, the guidelines state that short trail walks of not
more than one hour will be available on a first-come, first-served booking basis; while longer
trail walks will require a one-month advance booking.
Action 1.2.4: Designate a new ballooning concession in the Western Corridor
Contrary to initial expectations, it appears that wildlife is little disturbed by balloon operations.
One company, African Balloon Safaris, has run ballooning in the Serengeti since 1989. Up to
two balloons are flown daily along one of two flight paths in the Seronera Valley. This GMP
has approved the expansion of balloon operations in the west of the Park (around Kirawira).
SENAPA management will tender the opportunity for a second ballooning concession, with
preference being given to bids that locate their support facilities outside of the Park and that
minimise environmental impacts in the Park.
Action 1.2.5: Implement off-road driving pilot scheme in Low Use Zone
The final management action for this management target will initiate the designation of offroad
driving for specific seasons in the Low Use Zone on a pilot basis. The scheme, subject
to TANAPA approval, will be based on the experiences and lessons learnt from other protected
areas, as well as a document prepared by TATO, which will present the problems and
issues for off-road driving in SENAPA and propose an environmentally-sustainable option for
its introduction and policing. As off-road driving has not been formerly implemented in the
Serengeti before, SENAPA management will closely monitor the impact and respond according
to the findings. The monitoring will seek to understand the impact of off-road driving on
the vegetation recovery rates and ground fauna (e.g. nesting birds, tortoises, etc.). Subject to
this ongoing monitoring, SENAPA management will reassess the suitability of off-road driving
within SENAPA.
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