Serengeti General Management Plan

Serengeti National Park General Management Plan
The previous Serengeti Management Zone Plan (1996) designated eight zones; however,
these subsequently proved impractical at the Park management level. As a consequence,
this GMP has simplified the zoning scheme to the following three zones:
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1. High Use Zone
2. Low Use Zone
3. Wilderness Zone
Figure B.5 above defines the zones spatially. Simple zone demarcations are used for easy
identification of each zone for administrative purposes. As far as possible, zone boundaries
follow roads or clear topographic features, such as rivers, streams and hills.
The three zones are characterised below, with a brief description of the types and levels of
visitor use permitted. The Tourism Programme contains the specific details regarding visitor
activities, prescriptions and limits of acceptable use for each zone (see Actions 1.1.1, 1.2.2
and 2.1.2 in section D).
High Use Zone
This zone covers 23 per cent of
SENAPA and is centred around the
Seronera Valley, with segments
radiating out to include the areas where
tourism infrastructure and use is already
high. This includes: to the north east a
corridor to Lobo (including Lobo Lodge);
to the north-west a strip to Fort Ikoma
Gate; to the west a segment south of
the Grumeti River, incorporating Grumeti
River Tented Camp and Serena
Tented Camp; to the south-west Moru
and the Mbalageti River (incorporating
Sopa Lodge); and to the south east a
wide corridor down the Naabi access
road, incorporating the Gol kopjes.
This zone is the hub of visitor activity
and it contains the highest levels of
tourism infrastructure and facilities. This
zone will continue to form the major
park attraction and will absorb the main
concentration of tourists. Game viewing
by vehicle along designated roads
constitutes the principal visitor activity.
However, short guided trail walks and designated “tourism sinks” will provide opportunities
for visitors to get out of their vehicles to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
It is intended that the expansion of the High Use Zone from the previous Management Zone
Plan will enable sufficient road networks around some of the main lodges (i.e. Serena, Lobo
and Sopa Lodges) so that less visitors will require coming into the Seronera valley itself.