History of Tanzania’s National Parks
The history of Tanzania’s national parks is deeply rooted in both colonial conservation efforts and the country’s enduring commitment to preserving its extraordinary natural heritage. With more than 20 national parks and numerous game reserves and conservation areas, Tanzania is one of Africa’s leading safari destinations. The journey toward this remarkable conservation landscape began in the early 20th century and has evolved through political, ecological, and cultural milestones.
The foundation of Tanzania’s national park system can be traced back to the German and later British colonial periods. In 1921, the British administration established the first game reserve in what is now the Selous Game Reserve (now part of Nyerere National Park), setting the tone for future conservation policies. The concept of protecting vast tracts of land for wildlife was further formalized in the 1940s and 1950s, driven by concerns over uncontrolled hunting and habitat loss.
The idea of creating national parks was heavily influenced by the British model of nature preservation, and in 1951, Serengeti National Park was officially established as Tanzania’s first national park. Initially, the park encompassed a much larger area than today and included the Ngorongoro Highlands. However, to address the concerns of local Maasai pastoralists who lived in the region, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was carved out in 1959 as a separate entity that allowed human habitation alongside wildlife conservation—a unique model still in place today.
Following independence in 1961, Tanzania’s first president, Julius Nyerere, championed conservation as a national priority. In his famous 1961 Arusha Manifesto, he declared the government’s dedication to protecting wildlife not only for economic and tourism purposes but as a moral obligation to future generations. This visionary stance laid the groundwork for the expansion of Tanzania’s protected areas system.
Throughout the 1960s to 1980s, the country added several iconic parks including Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, and Ruaha National Park, each protecting unique ecosystems and species. The formation of the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) helped centralize management and conservation efforts across the country.
In more recent decades, Tanzania has continued to expand and upgrade its protected areas. The transformation of parts of the Selous Game Reserve into Nyerere National Park in 2019 reflects a continued commitment to conservation and ecotourism development. Moreover, smaller but ecologically significant parks like Saadani, where wildlife meets the Indian Ocean, and Kitulo, known for its alpine flowers, showcase the country’s ecological diversity beyond the classic safari circuit.
Tanzania’s national parks today protect more than 30% of the country’s land area and offer refuge to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife species, including lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, and vast herds of wildebeest. The parks also support community-based conservation, scientific research, and sustainable tourism, making them vital not just for biodiversity but also for national development.
The history of Tanzania’s national parks is a story of evolving human-wildlife relationships, visionary leadership, and an ongoing effort to balance conservation with the needs of local communities. It stands as a testament to the country’s role as a global leader in environmental stewardship.