The Tanzanian government has committed to upgrading the 38km road linking Rukoma village and Mahale Mountains National Park in Uvinza District with officials emphasising the move as essential to improving access and increasing domestic tourism.
Kigoma Regional Commissioner Simon Sirro said the road’s poor condition remains a major barrier to tourism growth with travellers taking five to six hours to reach the park from Kigoma. He said infrastructure improvement is key to raising visitor numbers and directed Uvinza District Council to prioritise upgrades for the benefit of tourists and residents living along the route.
Mahale Chief Park Warden, Assistant Park Commissioner Halid Mngofi, said visitor numbers have risen from 210 in 2020/2021 to 923 in 2023/2024 but road conditions, particularly during the rainy season, continue to force tourists to rely on air access. He also cited encroachment, poaching and human-wildlife conflict as ongoing challenges.
Mahale Mountains National Park is home to an estimated 900 chimpanzees along with other wildlife.
Speaking to Tourism Update, Petra Meyr, Regional Sales Manager – Africa & Europe at Nomad Tanzania, which currently relies on bi-weekly shared charter flights from Arusha on Mondays and Thursdays, said the proposed road improvement “will inevitably change access to one of Tanzania’s most remote wilderness corners”. Meyr views the development as an opportunity, “if managed well”, with broader tourism appeal strengthening “the economic argument for conservation”.
Meyr noted that thoughtful management will be essential. “We trust TANAPA will enforce sensible visitor limits that safeguard Mahale’s chimpanzee community,” Meyr said. The operator highlighted its support for the gradual habituation of alternative chimp families to distribute tourism pressure.
