In a corner of the eastern Serengeti ecosystem the Loliondo and Lake Natron District of Tanzania offers an attractive tourism product because of the remoteness of the area and the unbelievable landscapes. Outdoor activities in the area range from climbing Tanzania’s only active volcano to spectacular wildlife game drives.
Members of Pinyinyi village discuss the project
The Honeyguide Foundation is helping communities in this region understand and benefit from tourism growth. We have produced community management plans for the four villages of Piyaya, Pinyinyi, Engaresero, and Arash in tandem with the local people and government. Each of these focus on a shared vision for tourism activities and environmental management in the region. The overall objective of the management plans is to achieve a framework for sustainable economic revenue from tourism development while balancing village needs, like good livestock grazing lands.
Arash village in a working session
The results of these management plans will lead to more revenue in village treasuries for use for education (schools and scholarships), health, and basic livestock services. Furthermore, the tourism industry will employ locals and create spin-off businesses like women-based arts and crafts ( find out about Sinyati here), laundry and cleaning services, as well as meat and vegetable production. Lanjoo from Engare Sero works in a tourism camp, find out more about Lanjoo here>
Embedded within each of these management plans are safeguards that ensure government accountability and transparency. They also formalize contractual relationships between the community and tourism enterprises.
Discussion during working session
So far the project has worked very well. Revenue created from the tourism industry has already assisted in the building of new primary and secondary schools, water projects, and the purchase of a community Land Rover.
Learn more about the Maasai and the Lake Natron area here >
