The study aimed at assessing factors limiting economic benefits from protected areas to local
people in Serengeti district. Three villages adjacent Serengeti National Park (SENAPA)
namely Bonchugu, Ikoma Robanda and Nata Mbiso were involved. Survey data were collected
using household questionnaire survey, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Semistructured
Interviews, and by observation. The study found that about 9% of the local communities
could see benefits. The benefits included both direct and indirect. The direct benefits
included funds to Income Generating Activities (IGAs) and employment, whereas the
indirect one included social projects on construction of classroom, dispensary, dam, dormitory
and provision of furniture for school and dispensary. The study revealed major limiting
factors to benefits access include institutional interest, limited employment opportunities
and market for local produces, lack of participation, and low qualification of the locals. The
study concludes that, despite of indirect benefits seem to be high than direct benefits, the
benefits accessed by the local communities are insignificant both social and economic wise.
After the community priority ranking has been agreed and proposed to carry out the project
named access to tourism market project (ATOMP) for sustainable economic development of
community around protected areas in Natta Mbiso village - Serengeti district to make the
local communities to enjoy conservation benefits when all effective mechanisms to benefit
the local community was applied. This project create market for local produces in PAs, enabling
the local community to access employment opportunities and income, significant improve
social amenities, having good relationship between local community and PAs, and
collaboration among the key stakeholders to enhance locals to access conservation benefits.