Rehabilitation and Infrastructure

The Mkomazi Project, Mkomazi, Tanzania 1989 – 2019

The Trusts launched their part of The Mkomazi Project in 1989 in response to an invitation by the Government of Tanzania to work with them to on a programme to undertake the restoration and rehabilitation of Mkomazi Game Reserve, 3,270 square kilometres in the north of Tanzania. The reserve borders Tsavo National Park in Kenya and together they form one of the largest protected ecosystems in Africa. In the past it had supported a vast range of African wildlife and was an important winter sanctuary for the elephant.

It was a daunting task. By 1989 Mkomazi Game Reserve was in a dire state of neglect – widespread commercial poaching and the massive illegal incursion of cattle had degraded the land and reduced the abundant wildlife which was snared and hunted to near extinction. The Wildlife Division Project Manager, Hezekiah Mungure, had started working on the Project the year before and we were fortunate to work with such a dedicated, knowledgeable and long-serving wildlife officer.

Infrastructural Development

The Trusts assisted the Wildlife Division of the Government of Tanzania (from 1989-2007) and Tanzania National Parks (from 2008-2019) with the rehabilitation of the reserve/park. This included the deployment of GAWPT plant machinery to undertake the construction and maintenance of over 900kms of roads, the re-clearing of boundaries, the clearing and maintenance of 7 airstrips and the clearing and maintenance of firebreaks. The Trust undertook dam de-silting; dam construction; installation of radio networks with full reserve coverage; drilling for water and the sinking of boreholes in three areas including the HQ within the reserve; the establishment of a base camp and extensive workshops; over 4,000 hours of aircraft patrols and surveys; assistance to the ranger patrols by way of aircraft back up and relay of information, radios, de-snaring patrols, fuel and bonuses; and construction of permanent ranger outposts at upgraded water sources.

Wildlife returned in substantial numbers, in particular the elephant. By 1989 their numbers had been reduced to just 11 individuals. By 2010 up to 600 elephants were counted during the wet season.

National Park status

In 2008, Mkomazi was upgraded to National Park status by the Government of Tanzania and the management and close administration of the park was taken over by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). The Trust worked in close cooperation with TANAPA to pursue the conservation objectives from 2008 to the handover in 2019.