Mkomazi National Park in Kilimanjaro Region is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination within the Northern Circuit, attracting an average of 1,000 visitors per month.

The park, renowned for its black rhino breeding site, recorded approximately 7,900 tourists between July 2024 and January 2025.

This surge in tourist numbers is attributed to government efforts to invest in the park's development. 

Dr. Emmanuel Macha, Acting Chief Park Warden, shared these achievements during an interview, emphasizing that the park is on track to meet its target of 11,764 visitors for the year.

“We launched the black rhino tourism package in July 2021 and have seen steady growth in visitor numbers annually,” Dr. Macha stated.

To support this growth, the government allocated over 4.6 billion shillings through the National COVID-19 Response Plan (NCRP). The funds were used to improve park infrastructure, including road upgrades, the construction of three entrance gates, the rehabilitation of two airstrips, and the procurement of a vehicle.

Dr. Macha praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her support of the park and the broader tourism sector. He noted that the rising number of visitors underscores the need for expanded accommodation, better roads, and additional professional staff.

Geofrey Kyando, Mkomazi Park’s Conservation Officer for Business Development, highlighted that tourists come from countries such as Germany, the USA, the UK, India, and France, alongside local visitors.

Operating under the brand ‘Home of Black Rhinos,’ the 3,234-square-kilometer national park is divided into three major zones. While the black rhinos remain the primary attraction, Kyando noted that the park’s security, captivating ecology, and the welcoming culture of the Same people also contribute to its growing popularity.

Edward Kimaro, Conservation Ranger I at the  Same District in KilimanjaroTourism Sanctuary, explained that the park provides visitors a unique opportunity to closely observe black rhinos within just one hour.

“The government established this center in July 2021 to ensure effective preservation and development of black rhinos,” he said.

The initiative was prompted by a significant decline in black rhino numbers due to illegal poaching. Previously, these animals could only be found in Ngorongoro and Tarangire National Parks, where visitors had to spend several days to see them.

Mkomazi National Park, situated on the Kenyan border, spans Same District in Kilimanjaro Region and parts of Lushoto and Mkinga districts in Tanga Region. Originally established as a game reserve in 1951, it was upgraded to a national park in 2006.