AUTHORITIES in Morogoro region have said that plans were underway to ensure Kilosa and Mikumi National park are connected to Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to enable tourists reach the destination easily.

Morogoro Regional Commissioner Adam Malima told the Guardian newspaper over phone that all the preparations were underway to ensure tourists get direct access to the national park.

He said that the authority has allocated special land for local investors to build hotels and lodges near Kilosa station to accommodate tourists arriving by a speed train to visit Mikumi national park.

Malima said the move goes concurrently with construction of a road (18 kilometres) from Kilosa station to the newly established Mikumi National park’s gate.

He said all responsible institutions work together such as Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), The Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), Tanzania Forest Service Agency (TFS), President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government Authority.

“Our target is to complement the government's efforts of promoting the country's tourism through the film “The Royal Tour”, “he said.

He said tourists can travel to Udzungwa and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere National park in the southern circuit. 

Malima said that the regional authority is in a dialogue with tour operators to make Kilosa station the tourist terminal for all those who intend to visit regional tourist’s attraction.

 “SGR is going to be the economic backbone of our region in the near future. We have sugar cane plantations and massive production of rice. All these will be transported by rail to reduce congestion in the road and as well as transporting costs,” he said.

Currently, there is no direct connection from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park. However, you can take the train to Kisaki then take the taxi to Mikumi National Park.

Alternatively, you can drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park in around 5h 16m.

About three years ago, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa challenged the residents of Kilosa district in Morogoro region to embark in real estate to   accommodate people using the new electric train

The premier said that in his tour to inspect the rail tracks, stations and electricity infrastructure from Dar es Salaam station to Kilosa station (about 215 kilometres) 

 He said the operation of a new train will come with a number of opportunities and called on them to tap them to fast track development.

According to the premier, the government decided to invest in the construction of SGR to transport people and the goods from one destination to the other.