Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park located in the Manyara region has opened a new 85 - metre bridge across the Tarangire River, the primary source of fresh water for wild animals in the Tarangire ecosystem during the annual dry season, ending decades of seasonal disruption to visitor access.
The Matete Bridge, built at a cost of Sh1.1 billion by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), now connects the park’s eastern and western sections, a crossing that had historically been impassable during heavy rains since the park’s establishment in 1970 and nowadays is ensuring year – round uninterrupted tourism.
The development is part of a broader infrastructure push at Tarangire, Tanzania’s second most visited national park after the iconic Serengeti, receiving up to 2.500 visitors per day at peak season.
The new bridge has been particularly welcomed by tour guides, who previously faced significant delays when the old crossing was submerged, and now the new structure allows visitors unhindered access to lodges on the park’s eastern side where most large hotels are located.
Key Details of the Development:
• Location and Scope: The bridge, part of a wider infrastructure upgrade, solves decades - old accessibility issues, making the park navigable even in the wet season.
• Impact of Tourism: The new bridge improves connectivity to lodges and tourist hotspots, vital for the Tarangire National Park, as Tanzania’s second most - visited national park.
• Context: While the Tarangire River crossing was historically impassable, this new mitigates rainy season disruptions that have caused issues elsewhere in the country recently.
• Goal: This enhancement aims to boost the year - round visitor experience in the northern safari circuit.
Beside the brdge upgrades also include improvements at Kano Airstrip, which handles between six and 12 aircraft daily, with a new reception building, rest areas, and visitor washrooms now in place.
In addition a new fourth entry gate at Mamire, an administrative ward in the Babati District bordering the National Park is under construction.
The park’s Chief Warden, Beatrice Kessy, confirmed the brisge became operational this year and has already ensured uninterrumpted tourism activity through the current rainy season.
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