Tanzania national parks increase fees

Entry fees for Tanzania's national parks are being increased by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), the wildlife management agency which controls 15 parks across the country.

The new entry fee, which has been renamed the "conservation fee", takes effect from 1 July and expires on 30 June 2015, after which it will be updated every two years. The price hike is designed to reflect the wildlife organisation's increased operational costs and cater for renewed infrastructure required by rising visitor numbers, according to TANAPA representative Pascal Shelutete.

Prices have also increased for various activities inside the parks, such as filming, fishing and walking safaris. There are two sets of prices - one for foreigners and one for Tanzanian citizens, who will now be charged for some activities that currently have no fee attached.

From 1 July, Tanzanians visiting Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Tarangire, Gombe, Mahale and Manyara national parks, will be charged 10,000 Tanzanian shillings ($6) instead of the current 1,500 shillings. The entrance fee for foreign visitors to the Serengeti national park goes from the current $50 up to $60, while the fee for climbing Mt Kilimanjaro goes from $60 to $70.

The increase also includes the Arusha, Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks where the conservation fee has been revised upwards by $10 per tourist, reaching $45 from the current $35. Tourists will be charged $30 instead of the current $20 at the Ruaha, Katavi, Mikumi, Rubondo, Saadani, Kitulo, Mkomazi and Udzungwa national parks.

Full details of all prices can be found on the TANAPA website.

TANAPA tariffs were previously increased in 2000, 2004 and 2006.