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Tourism is probably among the key economic sectors to be affected by heavy rains expected to hit most parts of the continent, with floods expected to disrupt transport and cause the destruction of tourist sites, including wildlife parks, heritage sites, and partly the lakes.
Weather experts are warning of possible devastating effects from the expected heavy and above-normal rains predicted to hit most parts of Eastern Africa, which could affect tourism through floods in wildlife parks with destruction of link roads to the parks.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has predicted very strong El Niño rains across many regions, while Africa stands as the most vulnerable area to be affected.
Wetter than normal conditions are more likely to be observed in several parts of Africa from November 2026 to April 2027, with predictions of heavy rainfall and flooding in most parts of East Africa.
Famous for tourism through wildlife resources, Eastern African states are expected to observe higher flooding risks in wildlife parks, which attract most tourists visiting the East African region.
Flooding could also push wildlife into neighboring communities, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict and disease transmission between wild and domestic animals, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) said in its latest seasonal outlook report.
Heavy rainfall could also damage roads, bridges and railway infrastructure, disrupt flights and delay cargo operations at the Indian Ocean and Lake Ports, the report said.
The 1997 El Niño brought torrential rain and widespread flooding across the East African region.
By February 1998, about 10 million people across the region were affected, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report.
Tanzania was among the East African states that suffered extensive damage to roads and railways.
The 1997/98 El Niño caused global damage estimated at between US dollars 32 billion ($ 32 billion) and US dollars 96 billion ($ 96 billion) through damage to infrastructure and disruption to transport.
Tourism leaders in the East African region noted that regional coordination would be important for monitoring severe weather conditions during peak travel periods as to ensure visitors’ safety, access to national parks, beaches and the wider areas of the tourism economy across the East African region.
They wanted advance coordination to ensure visitors’ safety, access to national parks, and the wider tourism economy sectors.
Proposed plan would bring together tourism authorities, the meteorological agency, road and local-government bodies, airport operators, police, medical services, aviation companies and tourism businesses.
The aim is to establish clear responses to flooding, damaged roads, disrupted flights and other weather-related emergencies.
Uganda’s national climate outlook points to near-normal to above-normal rainfall in several parts of the country, with enhanced rainfall expected particularly across central, northern and eastern areas.
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