Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Tanzania to Invest

Introduction

Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa, is a popular tourist destination. It has stunning nature, vibrant culture, and diverse wildlife. Tanzania ranked first in Africa for the quality of its nature-based tourism. The sector offers many investment opportunities, such as accommodations, wildlife farming, and eco-tourism.

Tourism plays an important role in Tanzania’s economy. In the year ending August 2024, 2.026 million tourists visited Tanzania contributing $3.534 billion in tourism earnings. In this article, we will explore investment opportunities in Tanzania’s top five tourist attractions.

1. Serengeti National Park

The unique ecosystem is one of the World Heritage Sites.

• Africa’s Leading National Park for the 5th year at the 2023 World Travel Awards.
• One of the 7 Natural Wonders of Africa by Africa Geographic. It covers about 15,000 km2.
• Hosts the Great Migration. Millions of wildebeest and zebras move across the plains for water and food.
• Has over 2 million ungulates, 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 550 cheetahs, and around 500 bird species.
• From July 2023 to February 2024, 1,451,176 tourists visited Tanzania’s national parks, mainly the Serengeti National Park.

Photo: Rhino, Springboks, zebra, Elephant, and lion in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Investment Opportunities

• Investors can invest in places for tourists to stay, including eco-friendly resorts, luxury lodges, tented camps, etc.
• Can offer personalized safari packages, including game drives, walking safaris, and hot air balloon rides.
• The easiest way to Serengeti Park is by taking a short shuttle flight. Investors can offer electric safari vehicles to attract tourists.
• Partnership with local and international conservation organizations in projects. For example, investment in community-led conservation programs to support sustainable tourism.
• Investors can fund green infrastructure. They can offer solar energy systems, water harvesting, and waste recycling.

2. Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is near Moshi in the northern part of the country.

• Highest free-standing mountain in the world, 5,895 Meters above sea level.
• The tallest mountain in Africa with its snowy peak towering over the savannah.
• Popular hiking spot. More than 45,000 foreign and 2,000 local tourists visit the mountain per year.
• One of the largest volcanoes in the world. Only snow-capped mountains in the tropics with all types of climates.
• Has three main volcanic peaks: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.

Photo: African elephants walking in the Savannah, Mount Kilimanjaro on the background, Tanzania

Investment Opportunities

• Investors can invest in hotels, camping sites, and airstrips.
• Investment in shuttle services and private transport to meet the growing demand of tourists. For example, opening the Ngarony route to Mount Kilimanjaro. The new route will be shorter than the current route of Londros gate.
• It has direct access to the EAC and COMESA trade blocks through land and air. Investors can develop viable industrial parks and construct cables.
• Community engagement programs, such as cultural tours or local shops, also provide benefits.
• Can invest in local conservation efforts and sustainable tourism initiatives.
• Production and marketing of agricultural products. Tanzania supports joint ventures between locals and investors.
• Investment in trekking companies, guided tours, and equipment rentals.

3. Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s largest unbroken calderas.

• Attracts more than half of the country’s 1.3 million visitors. Almost 534,065 tourists visited the area during the first half of 2023/24.
• World’s largest inactive and intact volcanic crater. It formed about 2.5 million years ago.
• Research topic of human evolution for over 80 years.
• Has 25,000 large mammals, including wildebeest, zebra, lions, eland, and buffalo.
• Home to threatened species, hosts the annual migration of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and other animals to the northern plains.

Photo: Safari vehicles in between large herds of animals, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania — stock photo

Investment opportunities

• Investors can invest in lodges, permanent tented camps, and special tourism concessions.
• Can invest in customized safari tours, including walking safaris and cultural experiences.
• Investors can invest in shuttle buses and private transfers to NCA from major hubs like Arusha.
• Investment in conservation programs and wildlife protection. Ngorongoro’s tourism earnings soar to record Sh176 billion in one year. China, for example, funded around €8.3 million in a geopark in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
• Partnering with local communities to offer cultural tours, handicraft sales, and authentic experiences.

4. Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a great example of the Swahili coastal trading towns of East Africa.

• Has beautiful white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters.
• Popular for water sports. Around 68,813 foreign visitors visited in January 2023.
• UNESCO-listed Stone Town with African, Arab, and European culture and historic architecture.
• A popular place for visitors to explore spices like cloves and cinnamon.
• Home to diverse marine life and Jozani Forest’s endangered red colobus monkeys.

Photo: Boats on the beautiful beach of Zanzibar, Africa

Investment Opportunities

• Investors can invest in accommodations. With increasing tourist arrivals, there’s demand for high-end resorts and eco-friendly lodges.
• Can invest in guided tours, museums, and cultural centers that present Zanzibar’s rich history.
• Investment in spice plantations offers opportunities in agribusiness, including spice exports and agritourism.
• Can invest in diving, snorkeling, and eco-tourism ventures around the island’s coral reefs and marine reserves.
• Investment in transport, airports, and public services to support tourism growth.

5. Katavi National Park

The third largest national park in the county.

• Has around 4,000 elephants, 1,000 buffalo, hippos, giraffes, zebra, impala, reedbuck, lions, and spotted hyenas.
• Covers 1974km2. In 2023, 5040 tourists visited the park.
• Home to 373 recorded species of birds.
• The tamarind tree near Lake Katavi believed to be home to the spirit of the legendary hunter Katabi is a popular tourist spot.

Photo: Two male Hippos (Hippopotamus) are fighting in a small pool in the green plains of the remote Katavi National Park in Tanzania, close to the shore of Lake Tanganyika

Investment Opportunities

• Investors can invest in permanent tented camps and eco-friendly lodges. The park offers special tourism concessions. It allows investors exclusive use of certain areas under special arrangements. Available investment sites include Wamweru, Lukima, Chorangwa, and Katsunga.
• Investment in guided safaris, walking tours, private game drives, camping, and picnics. Can offer exclusive packages for diving, water skiing, sport fishing, boating, etc.
• Management and protection of wildlife preserving the rich biodiversity.
• Improved transportation, including air charter services and transport services.
• Investment in producing and supplying food for hotel catering.

Conclusion

Tanzania’s tourism sector offers great opportunities for travelers and investors. In 2023, tourism earnings surged 33.5 percent to USD 3,373.8 million from USD 2,527.8 million in 2022. The growing tourism industry has great potential for investors.

The government encourages investment with supportive policies and promotes sustainable tourism. Investing in tourism-related sectors like hospitality, real estate, and conservation is beneficial. With improved infrastructure, investment opportunities will grow. Hence, Tanzania is worth exploring whether to plan a trip or invest.

References:

1. Tourism Attractions and Investment Opportunities in Tanzania
2. Tanzania’s Tourism Sector; Investment Opportunities
3. The Elephant in the Room: Unlocking the Potential of the Tourism Industry for Tanzanians
4. The United Republic of Tanzania | Tanzania Investment Centre
5. Tanzania Tourism Sector | February 2024 update
6. Tourism Doing Business — Investing in the United Republic of Tanzania
7. Ngorongoro’s tourism earnings soar to record Sh176 billion in one year
8. GC’s Investments in Ngorongoro, Tanzania, Showcase Passion for Coexistence with Wildlife Amid Nightly Raids
9. Ngorongoro — Tanzania’s leading tourist destination
10. Kilimanjaro Region Investement Guide
11. Investigating Empowerment of Local Community Engaging in Mountaineering Tourism: A Case Study of Mount Kilimanjaro (Marangu route, Tanzania)
12. Climbing Kilimanjaro & Zanzibar
13. Tourism in Africa: Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
14. TTSS 2023 International Visitors Exit Survey Report
15. Serengeti National Park
16. Tanzania Profile
17. Tanzania’s Zanzibar records more foreign tourist arrivals
18. Stone Town of Zanzibar

FAQs

1. Why do investors invest in Tanzania? Investors invest in Tanzania because of its natural resources, strategic location, stable economy, and government support for business.
2. How can I invest in Tanzania? Tanzania is a great place to invest. There are many investment opportunities in Tanzania such as agriculture, mining, and tourism.
3. Is Tanzania a safe place to invest? Yes. Investment in Tanzania is safe. The Tanzanian government supports investors with supportive policies and political stability.