Serengeti General Management Plan

Action 4.1.1: Develop computerised visitor management system
D. Tourism Management Programme
TANAPA is in the process of computerising its management systems, and so far this includes
an approved computerised accounting system. SENAPA will adopt these new computerised
systems as they are developed and approved by TANAPA. Within the period of this
GMP, it is likely that management systems will be fully computerised on a wide area network,
accompanied by the introduction of e-payments for park entrances. This action will be implemented
in close collaboration with the Park Operations Programme (see Park Ops Target
2.5).
Action 4.1.2: Develop an anonymous incident report form for distribution at
SENAPA gates
With increasing visitor numbers, it is increasingly difficult for SENAPA to monitor and enforce
park rules and regulations. Therefore, during this GMP, other park users will be encouraged
to report any offences that they observe. Simple anonymous incident report forms will be developed
and distributed at SENAPA gates, which park users can fill out on the spot or post or
email at a later date. The basic information solicited in the form will be the time, place and
brief description of the particular offence and the offending vehicle registration number.
Action 4.1.3: Develop an enhanced spatial system for monitoring visitor use of
park zones and key habitats, including seasonal data
Information concerning visitor use and satisfaction is essential if the SENAPA Tourism Department
is to respond and adapt to changing circumstances and requirements. Simple ways
of measuring visitor use and satisfaction will be developed at key sites. Visitor use will be
measured by techniques including turnstiles (at interpretation facilities), vehicle counter strips
and record keeping. Visitor satisfaction and feedback will be obtained through questionnaires
(potentially electronically filled in at user-friendly touch screens as well as paper questionnaires
at entrance gates). To ensure the full cross section of visitor satisfaction is captured,
annual visitor surveys will be conducted using random sampling techniques. The data generated
will be collected and analysed by the Tourism Department and fed back into management
decision-making.
Action 4.1.4: Update and implement booking systems and fees for safari walking
and Special Campsites and ensure compliance
As shown in Table D.7 above, about half of the visitor offences occurring in the Serengeti
result from non-payment of camping and entrance fees. Ensuring the payment of entrance
fees will be addressed under Action 4.1.1, with the improvement in SENAPA management
systems. This management action will seek to update and implement effective booking systems
and fee structures related to walking safaris and Special Campsites. According to national
policy, TANAPA HQ will take responsibility for conducting and endorsing any revisions
in fee structures, which will be subject to periodic review during the GMP.
As described under Action 1.2.2, walking safaris will be initiated in the Wilderness Zone. This
new activity will subsequently require the establishment of a booking system and fee structure.
The framework for this system will be the TANAPA Walking Safari Guidelines, currently
under review. However, the details of how to operationalise this system will need to be
worked out for the specific context of the Serengeti. After one-year of implementation, the
activity will be evaluated and options for its further development will be considered.
The second area of focus will be a review by TANAPA HQ of the Special Campsite booking
system, cancellation policy and fee structure. Currently, the booking system for Special
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