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About Tanzania The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) banned six guides from professional activity for one year due to rule violations during safaris in the Serengeti. They allowed tourists to leave their vehicles and also blocked an area where migrating animals cross the Mara River. This crossing is one of the key stages of the “Great Migration.”
According to TANAPA’s commissioner for nature conservation, Musa Kuzi, the violation caused confusion and panic among the animals. Such actions can have long-term consequences: migration routes and behavioral patterns are fixed in their genetic memory and are directly linked to the survival of wildebeests, zebras, and other savanna inhabitants, experts say. In addition, because the vehicle blockages prevented animals from climbing the riverbanks, many could not get out, were frightened by people, and drowned in the rivers.
In some cases, tourists were allowed to sit on the hoods of safari jeeps during drives. All of those actions not only harms wildlife but also endangers people’s safety and reduces the quality of the safari experience, writes Tanzania Tourism.
The Executive Director of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, Elirehema Maturo, supported TANAPA’s decision. In his opinion, the ban, which applies to work in all of Tanzania’s national parks and will last until mid-2026, will help prevent future rule violations.
At the same time, the chairman of the Tanzania Tour Guides Association, Lembris Loipuko, while agreeing that the drivers committed serious violations, noted that their actions had reasons. As an example, he pointed to a collapsed bridge at a crossing that has not been repaired for the last two years. Because of this, the northern part of the park had fewer areas for wildlife viewing, and as a result, the available spots became overcrowded with tourist vehicles.
National park rules apply to everyone
As Altezza Travel noted, such problems need a comprehensive approach. First, judging by the video recorded that day, about 60–70 vehicles and at least 50 people were outside their cars in that section. Against this background, the punishment of six guides seems selective, a reaction to the wide publicity. Moreover, a one-year suspension is perhaps too harsh.
“In our opinion, the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators should stand in defense of the guides and ask to shorten the ban. Yes, they committed a serious violation, but 3–6 months would be enough to show the industry the need to follow the rules,” said Alex, CEO of Altezza Travel.
To prevent such cases from happening again, he suggested explaining the rules directly to tourists. Rangers could hold 5-minute briefings with groups before they enter the park:
“Travelers and guides need to be told about the consequences of speeding, off-road driving, and leaving safari jeeps. In sensitive ecosystems like the Serengeti, the old principle that ‘the guest is always right’ should be abandoned. Unfortunately, tourists can behave irresponsibly, and we must accept this reality. If guests were informed of the rules but still broke them, they should face consequences. This is standard practice in many national parks worldwide.”
All content on Altezza Travel is created with expert insights and thorough research, in line with our Editorial Policy.
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