Ecotourism and Livelihoods among Livestock Keepers of the Ngorongoro Conservation area, Tanzania

The study examines the contribution of ecotourism on improving the social economic wellbeing of livestock keepers in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Tanzania. The survey was conducted in seven cultural Bomas situated along the main tourist roads and three luxurious lodges' on the Ngorongoro crater rim. Cultural bomas are staging centers established for local people to exhibit, demonstrate and sell handicrafts and get photographed by tourists to generate income. Interview of key informants and questionnaire administration to cultural boma occupiers were major techniques of data collection. Direct observations, photography and review of findings from other studies were used to complement the above methods in collecting the required information. The study established that by participating in ecotourism activities individuals have increased the size of the small stocks (goats and sheep) supplied maize flour and hence, paid school contributions and purchased pupils' uniforms. Other indirect benefits include a wide array of skills, e.g. leaderships, entrepreneurship (such as marketing, handicrafts production) and communication. At community level, secondary and primary schools have been built and renovated, students have been sponsored and water projects established. However, the challenges hindering ecotourism success include poor foreign languages competence, lack of land rights, limited market opportunities and poor participation. It was concluded that in order to maximize socio-economic development without jeopardizing the natural and cultural environments, socio political empowerment should emphasize education and training.