Hassan Magulumali
Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ashatu Kijaji, has directed that tourism development projects being implemented at Pande Nature Reserve in Dar es Salaam be completed by December 2026 to improve visitor services and position the reserve to benefit from opportunities linked to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The directive was issued during a visit to the reserve on October 20, 2026, accompanied by Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hamad Chande. The projects are being implemented by the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) using funds collected through the Tourism Development Levy (TDL).
Speaking on behalf of the minister, Chande commended TAWA for the progress made and said the ministry was satisfied with the implementation of the projects. He stressed that completing the infrastructure alone would not be enough unless it was accompanied by effective marketing to attract more visitors and generate revenue.
“We want these projects to be completed by December 2026, and the Tanzania Tourist Board should have started promoting and marketing them,” Chande said, emphasising the need to connect tourism promotion with actual sales and visitor arrivals.
The projects, valued at approximately TZS 1.24 billion, include the construction of a swimming pool and sports facilities intended to broaden the range of activities available to visitors. According to TAWA Acting Conservation Commissioner Mlage Y. Kabange, the developments are designed to meet the needs of different visitor groups, particularly students who want to participate in sporting activities while also experiencing wildlife and nature.
The projects are at different stages of implementation, with reported progress ranging from 65 per cent to 90 per cent. Their completion is expected to improve the reserve’s recreational facilities and make it more attractive to families, school groups and other domestic visitors.
Pande Nature Reserve has recorded substantial growth in visitor numbers and revenue in recent years, according to reserve management. Pande Reserve Commander Maajabu Mbogo reported that annual visitor numbers rose from 224 in the 2020/2021 financial year to 6,397 in 2025/2026.
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Revenue also increased significantly, climbing from TZS 3.66 million to TZS 80.19 million over the same period. The figures indicate growing interest in the reserve and the potential for further expansion if improvements in infrastructure are matched by effective promotion and visitor services.
Between July and September 2026, the reserve received 1,925 visitors and collected TZS 30.20 million in revenue. Compared with the corresponding period in the previous year, visitor numbers increased by 17 per cent, while revenue rose by 41 per cent.
The stronger growth in revenue compared with visitor numbers suggests that improving tourism services and encouraging visitors to participate in different activities could help increase the economic value generated by each visit. Continued growth, however, will depend on maintaining facilities, delivering quality services and ensuring that visitors are aware of the attractions available at the reserve.
Visitors to Pande can engage in activities including wildlife and bird watching, nature walks and camping. The reserve provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience nature within Dar es Salaam, while offering an alternative to longer trips to Tanzania’s more distant national parks and wildlife destinations.
The government’s emphasis on completing the projects before the end of 2026 also reflects preparations to maximise tourism opportunities associated with AFCON 2027. Major sporting competitions can attract visitors, officials and other travellers, creating potential demand for recreational activities beyond stadiums and match venues. However, converting that potential into additional tourism revenue will require coordinated promotion, accessible services and facilities that meet visitor expectations.
The Tanzania Tourist Board is expected to play a key role in marketing the improved attractions, while TAWA will be responsible for the management and conservation of the reserve and its facilities.
Beyond tourism revenue, the projects could create opportunities for surrounding communities through employment, the supply of goods and services, food businesses, guiding services and other tourism-related activities. Increased visitor spending could also support small enterprises if local communities are connected to the reserve’s tourism value chain.
The completion deadline places pressure on the implementing authorities to finish the remaining construction work on schedule while ensuring that facilities are safe, functional and ready for public use. Sustaining the anticipated benefits will also depend on continued maintenance and responsible management of the reserve’s natural environment.
With visitor numbers and revenue already showing growth, the government hopes the planned improvements will strengthen Pande Nature Reserve’s position as a recreational and wildlife destination in Dar es Salaam and expand its contribution to Tanzania’s domestic tourism industry.
