Saanane Island, a short distance from Mwanza City, was gazetted as the 16th national park following the Government Notice No. 227 issued about five years ago.
Mwanza. Saanane Island National Park in Mwanza has projected a revenue collection of Sh. 140 million during the next financial year from tourism, according to the chief park warden Donatus Bayona.
He told reporters who visited the game sanctuary recently that the number of visitors has kept rising in recent years, especially from domestic tourism.
Saanane Island, a short distance from Mwanza City, was gazetted as the 16th national park following the Government Notice No. 227 issued about five years ago.
It was initially managed as a zoo from 1964 and later elevated to a game reserve in 1991 and used to attract visitors from the nearby lakeside town and neighbouring regions..
According to him, the site attracts about 300 visitors a month, with only about 10 per cent from outside the country.
“This park has disproved the myth that only foreigners visit our national parks,” he said, noting that the management of the Tanzania National Parks was impressed by the trend.
However, Mr. Bayona said the 2.18 square kilometre park is not spared from illegal activities citing illegal fishing as one of the challenges the park faces. Such activity is endangers water life as individuals will use improper gear and poisonous chemicals.
