Poaching continues to be one of Tanzania’s biggest conservation challenges – but in the Serengeti, something powerful is happening. Tour operators, park authorities, and conservation partners have teamed up to fight back, and the results are inspiring.
A Unique Partnership: Rangers + Former Poachers
The Serengeti’s de-snaring program, supported by Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) and TANAPA, brings together some unlikely teammates:
Experienced park rangers working side-by-side with reformed former poachers.
These teams head out into the most vulnerable corners of the park to search for wire snares — simple but deadly traps set mainly for wildebeest meat. But snares don’t discriminate; they also injure animals like elephants, lions, and other predators.
What These Teams Achieve
Since the program launched in 2017, the results have been nothing short of incredible:
- Thousands of snares removed from the Serengeti
- Hundreds of animals rescued and released alive
- Disrupted poaching operations and less illegal bushmeat harvesting
- Stronger cooperation between park authority and tourism operators
This is conservation at its most practical — boots on the ground, every single day.
The Role of Tour Operators: The SENAPA Investors
Tour operators working inside the Serengeti – known as the SENAPA Investors – help fund the de-snaring teams. It’s a partnership that brings conservationists, tourism businesses, and park managers together for one shared goal: keeping the Serengeti’s wildlife safe.
How You Help by Staying in Our Camps
Every night spent in our Pembezoni camp contributes directly to the de-snaring program. Simply by visiting, you’re already helping keep the Serengeti safe.
But if you feel inspired to do even more – wonderful!
You can donate directly to support the teams and help protect the wildlife that makes this place so extraordinary.