Tanzania National Parks Authority is considering hiking the entrance fee to all national parks after a silence of nearly seven years.

TANAPA, the game reserves custodian last time raised the park fee in 2005, where the tariffs for Serengeti and Kilimanjaro national parks were increased from $30 to $50 and $60 respectively.

TANAPA’s official document of May 17, 2012 seen by The Guardian on Sunday says that the authority intends to adjust park entry fees.

The document signed by TANAPA’s Public Relations Manager, Pascal Shelutete on behalf of the Director General, clearly stipulates that the authority will raise the fee immediately.

Officials say the idea behind the park fee increase is to boost TANAPA’s financial health that has been hit by high operating expenses.

As it stands now, Tanzania-bound tourists will part with more cash as entry fees on the gate of the national parks before the end of the 2012.

The entrance fee for foreign visitors to the Serengeti national park is likely to increase from $50 to $60, according to sources privy to the document.

“The fee to climb Mount Kilimanjaro will hit $70 per tourist per day, up from $60,” the sources said.

Entry fees for Arusha, Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks might rise from $35 to $45 per tourist per day, if the key players in the tourism industry will agree on the proposal.

Visitors interested to sample attractions in Ruaha, Katavi, Mikumi, Rubondo, Saadani, Kitulo, Mkomazi and Udzungwa national parks may have to part with $30, up from previous $20 per head, per day.

In Gombe and Mahale National parks where tourists flock to see gorillas, the entrance fee will go up from $100 and $80, to $110 and $90 respectively.

Currently, TANAPA is negotiating with key tourism stakeholders over a new set of entry fees, which would culminate in a new contract being signed anytime soon.

Jackpot Tours managing director, Andrew Malalika argues that the increase in the fee rate would make Tanzania the most expensive destination in the region.

Source The Guardian