Tanzania arrests five over tourist safari killing

Zebras cross a road in the Serengeti national park in northern Tanzania. By Tony Karumba (AFP/File)

ARUSHA, Tanzania (AFP) - Tanzanian police have arrested five people in connection with the killing of a Dutch tourist and the manager of a safari lodge in the famous Serengeti national park, officials said Saturday.

Bandits attacked a tented safari camp in the park on June 22, killing two people as well as robbing several tourists.

"We have arrested five suspects so far, they had firearms together with bags which belonged to the tourists," said Pereira Ame Silima, Tanzanian Deputy Home Affairs minister, adding that security would also be boosted at all camps.

"We have also decided that as of now, all camp sites and lodges shall be guarded by armed guards," Silima added.

Tourism is a major source of foreign currencies for the eastern African country.

The Serengeti is known as the starting of the great migration, one of nature's most spectacular wonders which sees hundreds of thousands of wildebeest trek across to Kenya's Maasai Mara park every year.

Silima said police patrols had already been "intensified" in the area and that an "auxiliary police for tourism" would set up.