Tanzania opens Mamire Gate to the west of Tarangire National Park to spur local tourism

Babati. Tanzania has officially opened a new entry point to Tarangire National Park, a development expected to enhance tourism access, increase revenue collection and stimulate business opportunities in surrounding communities.

The newly commissioned Mamire Gate, located on the western side of the park, is designed to improve connectivity to the protected area, particularly for travellers approaching from central regions of the country.

Speaking during the opening ceremony on April 23, 2026, Senior Assistant Commissioner for Conservation and Head of the Northern Zone, Dr Beatrice Kessy, said the facility will play a vital role in expanding tourism activities and creating employment opportunities for residents living near the park.

She explained that the new entry point will strengthen links between tourism corridors in central and northern Tanzania, making the park more accessible to visitors travelling from regions such as Dodoma, Singida and Manyara.

According to Dr Kessy, the improved accessibility is expected to attract new categories of visitors while easing pressure on existing entry points that have traditionally handled the bulk of tourist traffic.

She noted that improved transport connections have created new travel possibilities for visitors, particularly those travelling from major urban centres.

Tourists travelling from Dar es Salaam can now use the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Tanzania to reach Dodoma before continuing their journey by road through Babati District to reach Tarangire.

Previously, many visitors accessed the park through routes passing via Arusha, making the new corridor a notable shift in travel patterns within the northern tourism circuit.

Officials indicated that the alternative route is expected to shorten travel distances for some visitors while encouraging economic growth in areas along the Babati corridor.

Commenting on the construction of the facility, Conservation Officer and Project Supervisor Goodluck Busumbila said the Government, through the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), invested more than **Sh3.921 billion** in the project.

He said the investment covered the construction of the main entrance gate and supporting infrastructure necessary to ensure efficient operations and visitor safety.

Authorities view the project as part of broader efforts to strengthen tourism infrastructure and improve visitor experiences across the country’s network of national parks.

Tarangire National Park is widely recognised as one of Tanzania’s important wildlife destinations, known for its seasonal wildlife migrations and significant elephant populations.

The park forms part of the northern tourism circuit, a region that attracts both domestic and international visitors seeking wildlife experiences.

Tourism officials believe the addition of the Mamire Gate will help distribute visitor numbers more evenly across the park, allowing for better management of tourism activities while maintaining conservation standards.

The new gate is also expected to stimulate economic activity in surrounding villages and towns by encouraging the establishment of accommodation facilities, restaurants and cultural tourism enterprises.

Local communities are anticipated to benefit from expanded opportunities in areas such as guiding services, handicraft production and food supply chains linked to tourism operations.

In recent years, the government has continued to prioritise investments in tourism infrastructure, recognising the sector’s contribution to employment creation and foreign exchange earnings.

The opening of the Mamire Gate is therefore seen as a strategic step in strengthening regional connectivity while supporting the long-term growth of Tanzania’s tourism industry.

As visitor numbers continue to rise and transport networks expand, officials expect the new entry point to play an increasingly important role in shaping travel routes into Tarangire and unlocking economic potential in Babati District and the wider Manyara Region.