Babati: Forty secondary school students from Babati District, Manyara Region, have been encouraged to serve as effective ambassadors for tourism and conservation. This follows an opportunity for them to visit and learn about conservation efforts within Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA).
The students—accompanied by their teachers, parents, and several government leaders from the villages that comprise the Burunge Wildlife Management Area—began a five-day educational tour of these protected areas on October 22, 2026. The trip is sponsored by the conservation organization, Chem Chem Association.
Speaking as he saw the students off, the Babati District Commissioner, Mr. Hashim Shaibu Mgandilwa, stated that upon their return, the students should act as strong advocates for conservation and tourism.
Mgandilwa noted that Tanzania is blessed with an abundance of wildlife reserves and natural environments; therefore, it is the duty of every Tanzanian to protect them for the benefit of both the present and future generations. “We, as adults, have seen the benefits of conservation. Now, we want you—the students—to return to your villages and share knowledge about the continued preservation of our protected areas, ensuring that future generations can experience them firsthand rather than just reading about them in history,” he said.
The District Commissioner commended the Chem Chem Association—which has also invested in tourism activities within the Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA)—for its significant efforts in advancing conservation and tourism.
“We are accustomed to seeing many organizations focus primarily on advocacy within the community; however, your work is tangible and measurable, which is why the government supports you,” he stated.
Clever Zulu, General Manager of the Chem Chem Association, explained that the practical training program for students—which began last year—aims to help them understand the benefits of conservation and tourism, thereby encouraging them to participate in protecting the environment and wildlife.
“Today, a group of 60 people, including 40 students, is embarking on this visit. We are confident that upon their return, these students will serve as ambassadors for environmental protection and conservation, as they will meet with conservationists and receive education on these topics during the trip,” he said.
Christopher Laizer, a Wildlife Officer for the Babati District Council, noted that this visit is part of ongoing efforts to promote tourism in the Babati District—an initiative that has also included an anti-poaching football league, dubbed the ‘Twiga’ (Giraffe) League, aimed at protecting elephants. “We believe these efforts continue to bring benefits to our district by promoting conservation and tourism, and by combating poaching,” he said.
Paschal Shing’ida, Chairperson of the Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA), stated that the visit is significant for their region, as the community is already deriving substantial benefits from conservation and tourism.
Some of the students, speaking to the press, expressed their appreciation for being selected to participate in the visit. They pledged that, upon their return, they would effectively share knowledge about conservation, tourism, and the fight against poaching—starting within their own families and extending throughout their villages.
