ARUSHA: SIMBA SC will launch this year’s Simba Week inside the Ngorongoro Crater on July 25th in a move aimed at promoting the country’s tourism ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), while giving hundreds of supporters a unique wildlife experience.
The event, to be held in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, marks the latest stop in the club’s tradition of taking the annual pre-season festival to different regions of the country.
Simba SC Media and Communication Manager, Ahmed Ally, said the choice of Ngorongoro reflects the club’s commitment to supporting national tourism and showcasing Tanzania’s attractions ahead of the finals that the country will co-host with Kenya and Uganda.
“On 25 July, Simba officials, members and supporters will travel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to officially launch Simba Week. We have previously launched the event in Morogoro and Mafinga.
“This year, we are taking it to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater,” Ally said.
He added that the event will allow supporters to experience one of the world’s leading conservation areas and see wildlife, including lions, the animal that symbolises the club. Deputy Chairperson of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) Board of Directors, Harriet Mtae, welcomed the initiative, saying it demonstrates how sport can be used to promote tourism, conservation and Tanzania’s international profile.
“As we build momentum towards the AFCON 2027, this partnership shows how sport can help market Tanzania as a leading tourism destination while promoting wildlife conservation,” she said.
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Mtae added that a Memorandum of Understanding between the NCAA and Simba SC lays the foundation for a long-term partnership that will benefit both organisations and the country. Around 500 Simba supporters are expected to take part in the historic launch.
The club said it will subsidise transport costs from Dar es Salaam to Karatu. For example, if the return fare is 50,000/-, Simba will contribute 20,000/-, leaving supporters will pay 30,000/-. Ally said the contribution is intended to help manage participant numbers.
According to Ally, the entry fees into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for all 500 supporters will be fully covered by the club and the NCAA.
The supporters’ convoy will leave Dar es Salaam on July 24th, collecting fan groups in Kilimanjaro and Arusha before spending the night in Karatu. On the morning of July 25th, a convoy of more than 100 vehicles, including buses and safari vehicles, will enter the crater for the official Simba Week launch before return – i n g home.