Serengeti General Management Plan

F. Park Operations Programme
Action 3.1.2: Remove unmade tracks that are in the High Use Zone, e.g. around
the Gol Kopjes
Under the GMP Zoning Scheme (section B), the number, function and spatial extent of the
SENAPA zones have been changed from the previous zoning plan, which has implications
for the existing road network. This predominantly relates to the areas of the Park that have
now been incorporated into the expanded High Use Zone; in particular, to the south east
along the Naabi access road. Previously these areas had unmade tracks for game viewing,
but now that they are incorporated into the High Use Zone only on-road driving will be permitted.
Consequently these unmade tracks will need to be ploughed up and removed from use.
This is particularly needed around the heavily visited Gol Kopjes, where there are a number
of unmade tracks that tourist vehicles use to move between the various kopjes.
Action 3.1.3: Design and implement a new road construction programme for establishing
and maintaining game viewing and anti-poaching tracks and loops in
line with the GMP Zoning Scheme and in collaboration with the Tourism and
Ecology Departments
The new GMP Zoning Scheme not only requires the removal of roads that no longer comply
with the zonal use prescriptions, but also necessitates the appropriate development of tracks
and circuits that support the diversification and dispersal of use within the Park. In the Wilderness
Zone, the maintenance and construction of access roads to zone edge camps may
be required. In the Low and High Use Zones, game viewing tracks and loops may be appropriate
for diversifying and dispersing tourist activities.
To guide this development a comprehensive road construction programme will be designed
and established, based on the assessment of the environmental impact and the minimum
requirements for implementing the Tourism Management Programme and anti-poaching activities
of the Resource Protection Department. Wherever possible, the development of
tracks will utilise existing disused tracks and where these are not available, new tracks will be
constructed on the condition that they meet all the requirements of the DALP/ PEA.
Action 3.1.4: Develop Handajega airstrip as the principal airstrip servicing the
western SENAPA tourism lodges and camps
Currently there are four operational airstrips (Seronera, Grumeti, Lobo and Kusini Camp) that
are maintained by the Works Department. During this GMP the airstrip at Grumeti will be
closed and the Handajega airstrip opened in its place to service the tourism lodges and
camps in the western Serengeti. Before opening the Handajega airstrip, SENAPA management
will upgrade the airstrip itself as well as the access roads to it, to enable all-year access.
Target 3.2: Reliable and safe water supplies established
Scarcity of freshwater at Seronera is the long-term management issue. The 75km Bologonja
pipeline was constructed in the early 1970’s from Bologonja springs in the northern-end of
the Park to supply water to Seronera. The condition of the pipeline has deteriorated such that
water availability is currently sporadic leading to a continuous water shortage in Seronera.
SENAPA management has already successfully begun to introduce water-harvesting mechanisms
that collect water from the roofs of houses, which is then stored in underground tanks.
However, the rainy seasons do not provide sufficient rain for this to adequately solve the water
shortage problem at Seronera. In order to achieve year-round water supply, a combination
of management actions have been designed that will rehabilitate the Bologonja pipeline,
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