Api-tourism potential of Southern Tanzania: a case study of villages around Ruaha and Udzungwa National Parks

Abstract

This study was conducted in villages adjacent to Ruaha and Udzungwa National Parks in Kilolo and Iringa Districts, Southern Tanzania, namely Luganga, Mahuninga, Tungamalenga, Msosa Irindi, and Watalisoli. Though Tanzania is among the countries in the world with the highest potential for the production of bee products and contributes about 33% of household income, the potential of beekeeping for api-tourism is not well known. The study assessed the potential for the establishment of api-tourism in the study area. Data were collected through household survey questionnaires (individual beekeepers), focus group discussions (village leaders, old people), key informant interviews, district officers, and physical visits to beekeeping sites. Results showed that respondents lack api-tourism knowledge. Traditional beekeeping is mostly practiced using log hives. Beekeeping (stinging and stingless bees) contributes to household-level income. Beekeeping activities are hindered by a lack of appropriate beekeeping skills, climate change, and habitat destruction. The surveyed area has potential for api-tourism because of abundant pollen and nectar-producing plants, including Brachystegia spiciformis, B. utilis, B. boehmii, Julbernardia sp., Pterocarpus angolensis, and Combretum species. The existence of unique local dances, local cuisine, hand crafts, unique mountains, and stones (with human footprints) reveal tourists’ experiences. The results will increase awareness of the need to establish api-tourism due to the significant bee resource base in the area. The study recommends api-tourism awareness creation, biodiversity conservation, exploration of stingless bees for api-tourism purposes, and key stakeholders in the sector to come up with strategies to integrate beekeeping into tourism.