A New Milestone for the Usangu Wetlands Project
A milestone has been reached in the multi-year research project of the Usangu wetlands in South-Central Tanzania. The researched has looked at how the area could be sustainably developed to promote investment for safari tourism, while also assessing needs in terms of infrastructural and conservation upgrades. Research and planning funded by Norfund and Six Rivers and project coordination and implementation by Asilia, has culminated in the Usangu Expedition Camp opening in June 2022. The camps neighboring Douglas Bell Eco Research Station offers the opportunity for guests to engage with research projects and develop a deeper understanding of the crucial work being performed in the area.
Located within the greater Ruaha ecosystem, Usangu is a lifeline for Tanzania. It feeds the Great Ruaha River, which powers two of the country’s key hydroelectric dams, supplying about half of its electricity. Yet decades of unsustainable practices nearly drove the wetlands to collapse. Rampant rice farming, cattle grazing, and water mismanagement dried up vital waterways, leaving a depleted landscape and jeopardising energy security. To reverse this damage, the wetlands were annexed into Ruaha National Park in 2006, a move that sparked resistance from local communities excluded from the lands.
Rehabilitation began with science. A biodiversity survey mapped Usangu’s wildlife, documenting many species including a small antelope not previously recorded in the area. Camera traps, ecological studies, and river monitoring established a baseline for conservation. These efforts have now evolved into an ongoing project, where visitors and researchers contribute to data collection, deepening understanding of the ecosystem while tracking its recovery.
The Usangu Expedition Camp is the first tourism operation in this seldom-visited wilderness area. By bringing in visitors the camp generates revenue that directly supports nature protection in an area that otherwise sees very little income. The camp also provides local employment. Central to the initiative is supporting local communities. Training programs in hospitality and guiding, alongside projects to diversify livelihoods are creating new opportunities.
Read more about the Usangu Expedition Camp.