An international 18-hole golf course has opened at Fort Ikoma near Serengeti National Park, as Tanzania looks to expand its sports tourism offering, despite concerns about the development’s location within the greater Serengeti ecosystem.
The par 72 course, developed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) at a reported cost of more than TSh9.5 billion (US$3.6 million) officially opened in July. Government officials have positioned it as an addition to Tanzania’s existing safari and leisure tourism products.
However, questions remain about its environmental impact and its potential appeal to international travellers.
The course is outside the formal boundary of Serengeti National Park but within the wider Serengeti ecosystem.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has called on Tanzania to halt the development and consider alternative locations, raising concerns about the environmental assessment for the wider 182 hectare sports complex and potential impacts on wildlife movements and migratory corridors.
Tanzania proceeded with the project, arguing that the facility is located in a designated transition or dispersal area rather than inside the core protected area.
Concerns have also been raised about water use to maintain the course in the semi-arid area and the potential impact of changing land use on wildlife movement.
Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Ashatu Kijaji described the project as a new chapter for the Serengeti and part of a strategy to redefine Tanzania’s position in the global tourism market.
TANAPA’s Conservation Commissioner Musa Nassoro Kuji has similarly highlighted the unusual combination of golf and wildlife, arguing that few destinations can offer visitors the chance to play an international-standard course in such close proximity to iconic African wildlife.
However, tourism industry stakeholders say it remains unclear how much demand the course will generate.
John Corse, Managing Director of Serengeti Balloon Safaris, said sports tourism remains relatively small in Tanzania despite its growing importance globally. He believes golf could contribute to conservation if it succeeds in widening Tanzania’s tourism market but questions whether the Serengeti is the right place for such investment.
“Serengeti is already over-popular due to its global fame,” Corse said, arguing that similar investments could be better directed towards less-visited parks and reserves.
Taqi Moledina, Chairperson of ARP Africa Travel, said it is still too early to judge the golf course’s impact on tourism. The facility, he said, remains relatively low-profile among international tour operators and its performance will need to be assessed over time.
“There are courses on the fringe of other parks in Southern Africa and I do not believe they have had a huge impact,” he said, stressing that this depends on ensuring the conservation and preservation of wildlife movement.
