Tanzania with African Travel Solutions

TANZANIA: I have just returned from a trip to East Africa where we had extensive discussions around conservation, tourism and hunting. In Tanzania, 3 of our camps – MWIBA LODGE, CHEM CHEM LODGE and LITTLE CHEM CHEM – operate in wildlife management areas that are fully committed to sustainable tourism. Through the effective management of these areas it has been spectacular to see how wildlife has returned, now ensuring a superb safari.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
• WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA — Referred to as WMA’s these are protected areas where legal and sustainable wildlife management directly benefits the local community. They are very often adjacent to National Parks, providing an important ‘buffer zone’ but are not subject to the same rules and regulations.
• SAFARI BENEFITS — Freedom and exclusivity. The freedom to do any activity (from walking to helicopters), anywhere (off-road game drives) at any time (night drives). With the exclusivity of a private concession and not seeing other cars and people.
• LEASE FEES — Concession holders – like Legendary Expeditions and Chem Chem Safaris – pay large annual fees for the use of the WMA and take full responsibility for protecting the area through anti-poaching, community engagement and education.
• PHOTOGRAPHIC or HUNTING? — WMA’s usually have an annual hunting quota. The concession holder can run trophy hunting which contributes to the lease fee. If they choose photographic tourism they not only pay the lease fee; but also the trophy fees (which, in this case, are not shot!). This is not a small amount of $$!
• SIGNIFICANCE — Both the Mwiba and Chem Chem WMA’s are areas of high conservation significance. Located on the southern edge of the Serengeti, Mwiba protects the wildebeest migration during the calving season. This area has numerous natural springs which attract wildlife and predators. The Chem Chem concession, an area known for large buffalo and bull elephant herds, protects the migratory corridor between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Contact Mel @ info@africantravelsolutions.com