Flights to Lobo and Kusini Airstrips in the Serengeti National Park have resumed.
An official statement from the Tanzania National Parks Headquarters in Arusha reveals that Lobo as well as Serengeti Kusini airstrips that were closed for rehabilitation have started to receive aircrafts again.
This follows the completion of the project to renovate the two aerodromes’ infrastructure, according to the TANAPA officer in-charge of communications, Catherine Mbena.
Following the reintegration of the two airfields the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has given greenlight for flights to those parts of the Serengeti National Park to resume services.
With the completion of both the Lobo Airstrip and Serengeti South (Kusini) airfield, the plains that form Tanzania’s third largest National Park, will now have a total of seven aerodromes to cater for tourists and other travellers connecting from other parts of the country onto the endless plains.
Out of the seven landing fields in the Serengeti National Park, the Seronera airstrip featuring modern facilities happens to be the biggest and capable of handling even larger aircrafts.
On the other hand the newly rehabilitated Lobo Airstrip which is located on the Northern eastern region of Serengeti National Park, in Lobo area mainly serves Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp, Lobo Wildlife Lodge, Taasa Lodge, And Beyond Klein’s Camp among other properties.
It takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour to drive from the Serengeti Park’s main entrance to Lobo airstrip.
The airfield is located some six kilometers from Klein’s gate, and seven kilometers from Bologonja springs.
Lobo airstrip which serves domestic flights for travellers visiting Serengeti as well as the neighbouring tourist destinations is also 8 kilometers from Ngare Naironya springs.
The Kusini Airstrip which is one of most commonly used airstrips in Serengeti National Park, is located near the southern Kopjes and strategically located such that tourists can spot the great migration from the airfield.
Kusini airstrip is located near Lake Ndutu, Lake Elemti, Lake El Dabsh and Lake Masek which are a main calving area for wildebeests and zebras during the great wildebeest migration.
Serengeti Kusini airstrip is located nearly 9 kilometers from the Maswa Game Reserve and can cater for Ngorongoro Conservation as well as the Sanctuary Kusini Camp among others.
Other airstrips serving the Serengeti plains include Kirawira, Sasakwa Grumeti, Kogatende and Fort Ikoma, not to mention the Arusha Airport which is their main feeder.