AWF Hands Over Manyara Ranch Management to Manyara Ranch Management Trust (MRMT): A Key Milestone in African Conservation

Arusha, Tanzania, Wednesday, 17th July 2024 – The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is pleased to announce the successful handover of Manyara Ranch to the Manyara Ranch Management Trust after two decades of transformative conservation and community development efforts. This milestone marks a significant step forward in ensuring the sustainable coexistence of wildlife and local communities in northern Tanzania.

Since taking over direct management of Manyara Ranch in 2013, AWF has worked tirelessly to restore this critical wildlife corridor. The ranch, which lies between Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, has been transformed from a degraded cattle ranch into a thriving habitat for wildlife, including giraffes, lions, elephants, and numerous other species. It continues to rear cattle but in a more sustainable model. 

"Manyara Ranch is an outstanding example of how conservation and community development can go hand in hand," said Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation. "Our partnership with the Monduli District Council and local communities has demonstrated that sustainable solutions are possible when we work together. The handover of Manyara Ranch marks a new chapter for African conservation and cements the successes of African-owned conservation."

AWF's unique conservation model, which integrates sustainable livestock management with wildlife protection, has proven phenomenally successful. Manyara Ranch now serves as a vital link for migrating wildlife, helping to maintain the ecological balance of the Maasai Steppe. One significant achievement includes zero elephant poaching in the ranch since 2015.

In addition to conservation efforts, AWF has made significant investments in community development. The relocation and renovation of the Manyara Ranch primary school, which was handed over to the Monduli District Council in 2023, is a testament to AWF's commitment to education and community engagement. The school now provides a safe and improved learning environment for over 1,000 students and incorporates environmental stewardship into its curriculum.

Happiness Laizer, Executive Director of the Monduli District Council and Board Chair, expressed his gratitude, saying, "This ranch serves as evidence that when provided with opportunities, local communities can effectively conserve wildlife while also deriving benefits from their presence on their lands. AWF envisioned and invested in this journey, and we are thrilled to advance it to the next level."

Pastor Magingi, AWF’s Tanzania Country Coordinator, added, "The vision for Manyara Ranch has always been to bring management expertise to local stakeholders and create inclusive decision-making processes. This project's success is a result of the strong partnerships we have built over the years. We are confident that the Manyara Ranch Management Trust and Monduli District Council will continue to uphold the principles of sustainable conservation and community development."

To ensure sustainability of the ranch, MRMT also signed a tourism development and operation agreement worth $8.2 million with Sea and Bush Limited. Sea and Bush Limited will construct and manage luxury tented lodges and conduct game viewing safari, walking safari, photographic safari, eco-tourism, and cultural tourism to Tanzanians and foreign tourists alike, and all other non-consumptive leisure activities within the tourism zone. Some of the expected benefits from this investment include a projected 65% increase in local community employment opportunities and a 70% increase in tourism and livestock revenue that will be channeled through MRMT.

Mr. Isaac Joseph Copriano, Chairperson of the Monduli District Council, welcomed the move by AWF to transfer the management of the ranch to MRMT and support the trust in securing an investor. "This is a bold move by the local community, and we hope this first-ever model can be replicated in other general land or community-owned spaces across Tanzania. This means putting conservation in the hands of local communities and ensuring they benefit from this natural resource."

About African Wildlife Foundation
The African Wildlife Foundation is the primary advocate for the protection of wildlife and their habitats as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. Founded in 1961 during the African independence movement to build our capacity to steward our natural resources, AWF articulates a uniquely African vision, bridging science, education, public policy, and field programs to demonstrate the benefits of conservation and build a future for Africa where people and wildlife thrive.

Find out more about the history of Manyara Ranch here

MEDIA CONTACTS: For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Nashipae Orumoy at AWF in Nairobi, Kenya: norumoy@awf.org, Tel: +254701864021