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Many areas of East Africa show signs of misuse of natural resources by man. An improved use of these resources can be made if land use is integrated within the boundaries of a natural ecosystem, taking into account the long-term effects of exploitation, the potential of the land for different economic activities, and nature protection. In this paper the Masai Ecosystem of northern Tanzania is used as such a functional unit in which land use can be integrated. For this purpose this Ecosystem is described and its boundaries are defined. The potential (agricultural) land use for different areas within the boundaries are highlighted, and a review of the importance of the National Parks and Conservation Area for Tanzania's national economy is given. It is concluded that tourism can play an important role in the development of the country but within the Ecosystem the flow of tourists should be re-adjusted. Some of the Parks are more profitable than others but the most profitable appears to be over-utilised by tourists, while the least profitable is under-utilised. An alternative tourist circuit is proposed, and a number of recommendations are given to make better and safer use of the land with the new Agricultural Policy of the Government of Tanzania in mind. It is concluded that land use and nature conservation are tightly interlinked and that people and wildlife can both benefit from improvements aimed at integrated land use, agricultural development and higher economic returns.