The Serengeti International Airport is a planned development that will commence following Tanzania’s 2025/26 national budget allocation. Designed as a Green International Airport, it aims to be environmentally friendly and strategically positioned as a gateway to one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations — the Serengeti.
The government has earmarked Sh3 billion from local sources to finance a detailed feasibility study and the initial phase of construction. Presenting the budget in Parliament on May 15, Transport Minister Prof. Makame Mbarawa stated that the airport will be developed with great care to preserve the Serengeti’s ecosystem while improving accessibility for tourists. He further noted that the new facility will also serve as a transport hub, linking to other international airports across Tanzania.
Once completed, the Serengeti International Airport is expected to significantly enhance tourism, stimulate regional development, and attract investment in northern Tanzania. The project aligns with the government’s broader efforts to strengthen air transport infrastructure, expand airport capacity, and increase international connectivity. Moreover, it reflects Tanzania’s commitment to sustainable development, following global trends in green architecture and eco-tourism. Also coming up in the Serengeti is the Serengeti Fort Ikoma Golf Course Project which is an 18 hole golf course that will further enhance the national parks appeal to tourists.
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Significance of the Serengeti International Airport Project
The Serengeti International Airport project is of vital importance to Tanzania’s national master plan for aviation. It will be used to build the Serengeti tourism economy, as well as promote sustainable design and green technology. Prof Mbarawa claimed the facility would “open up access for investment and trade in northern Tanzania.” It is part of a broad program of upgrading aviation facilities across the country. In the 2025/26 budget, funds are also allocated to Mwanza, Arusha, Mtwara, Bukoba, and Kilimanjaro airports. There are plans to refurbish and expand Julius Nyerere International Airport’s Terminal II.
The major allocations comprise Sh35 billion to upgrade Kilimanjaro International Airport. Additionally, Sh80.12 billion worth of foreign funds from the French government is allocated to further upgrades at JNIA. Overall, the Ministry of Transport has planned billions to enhance air safety, increase passenger handling capacity, and enhance operating efficiency at domestic and foreign airports. The Serengeti International Airport project is a cornerstone of this plan.
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