Witnessing change – how decades of dedication have transformed the Grumeti Reserve

“I believe it was a natural calling for me to become a conservationist. I was troubled by seeing people hunting wildlife. One day, I realised I should protect it.” Getiga Chiwa Tontomona was born and raised in Iharara Village, one of the communities adjacent to the Grumeti concessions in the western corridor of the Serengeti — an area some also now know as Singita Grumeti.

Just 24 years ago, poaching was widespread across the region, driven by limited economic opportunities and a high demand primarily for illegal bushmeat. The landscape was under severe threat, with wildlife populations depleted and natural vegetation in a degraded state. A reality that's hard to believe looking out across the plains today.

“Poachers used to cut down trees for traditional purposes such as tools and medicine, and for firewood. Pastoralists also used to graze livestock in the [now] protected area, which caused the land to degrade,” Getiga says.

Grasses burned without a structured fire management plan, and while fire is a natural part of the Serengeti’s ecology, uncontrolled, it can be dangerous and destructive, affecting the forage available for herbivores and placing unintended pressure on the ecosystem.

“It affected wildlife, especially during the great wildebeest migration in the dry season, causing animals to cross the protected area boundaries into community lands.” In turn, this led to greater human-wildlife conflict.

The environmental degradation also had broader human impacts. “In the past, elephants were rarely seen in this concession,” says Getiga. “Local communities believed that elephant dung could cure certain medical conditions, such as childhood convulsions or seizures. As a result, the scarcity of elephants also affected them.”

Getiga’s lifetime of experience reflects a remarkable transformation. Just two decades ago, the Grumeti concessions were far from the thriving wilderness they are today. As an integral part of the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, home to the Great Migration and an extraordinary diversity of plant and animal life, including critically endangered species, their degradation once posed a significant threat to the wider region.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, in 2003, the Grumeti Fund, a non-profit conservation and community-support organisation, was established to preserve and protect the 350,000 acres of the western Serengeti in partnership with the Tanzanian government. The Fund set out to restore the region’s ecological integrity in close partnership with the communities who call it home. “There has been a tremendous change since the establishment of the Grumeti Fund,” says Getiga.

In 2006, Singita became a partner in the project, introducing purposeful tourism to the region and helping to raise awareness of the critical conservation work being undertaken by the Fund.

Getiga began his career as a security guard before transitioning to a gun-bearer for a professional hunting company. In 2003, he joined the Grumeti Fund as Head Scout of its Anti-Poaching Unit. “I served in this role until 2016, when I was promoted to Section Manager within the Conservation Management Department. In this position, I oversee the central section of the reserve,” he explains.

His responsibilities are wide-ranging, including the control of invasive alien plant species, conducting wildlife de-snaring and rescue operations alongside Tanzanian government veterinarians, and managing fire through arson prevention, emergency response, and controlled burning. He also provides occasional support to the anti-poaching unit during patrols.

Few individuals have witnessed the region’s profound transformation as closely as he has. Reflecting on his 26 years working in the landscape, Getiga says, “Today, this place stands as a practical example where other conservation organisations can come to learn.”

Wildlife now roams freely across the reserve in its natural habitat, with populations flourishing. Birds and large mammals have returned, and the Great Migration is once again sustained along its path across the plains, supported by the abundant vegetation that now carpets the region year-round.

The area’s flora has also recovered, with previously degraded landscapes restored through controlled burning, tree-planting initiatives, and the removal of invasive plant species. The success of this restoration within the western Serengeti is largely the result of strong partnerships and close collaboration with surrounding communities and the Tanzanian government.

As with any wilderness landscape, the journey has not been without its challenges. Human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and climatic shifts remain ongoing concerns. But despite these, progress in Grumeti continues to move in a positive direction. “I am very proud of the work we did and continue to do,” says Getiga.

Conservation requires both human and financial resources, as well as a shared sense of purpose. Getiga believes that securing a sustainable future for the reserve depends on strengthening conservation awareness within local communities, deepening partnerships, and expanding support programmes.

“In 2003, when Sasakwa was being built, local community members were employed as labourers and game scouts. That’s when mindsets began to shift,” he explains. “Their lives have also transformed — from many living in traditional homes to now building modern houses.”

Through employment opportunities, education, and conservation awareness training, communities are gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainable practices. “People now recognise the value of protecting wildlife. Some are even encouraging their children to pursue studies in wildlife and tourism-related fields because of the opportunities they now see,” he adds.

Together, these developments paint an increasingly hopeful picture for the future of the Grumeti concessions — one of Africa’s most remarkable and abundant landscapes.