Narok Governor Samuel Ole Tunai has warned tour companies that violate game rules at the World famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve of dire consequences.
Tunai who spoke yesterday at Nkaretta area in Narok North Sub County took issue with Oldepesi Mara Tour Company that drove too close to a leopard cub, which is against the game reserve regulations.
The tour company that had foreign tourists who took a close video of the Cub violated the game rule that requires a maximum of at least 100 meters to the wildlife being observed.
The county boss said they have already banned the tour company from operating in the Mara during this high peak season when tourists flock to witness the spectacle crossing of wildebeest from the Serengeti Tanzania side to the Maasai Mara Kenyan side.
“We have already started witnessing many visitors both foreign and local visiting the Maasai Mara game reserve as the wildebeest migration season has commenced. Hence, there is a need to adhere to the regulations set at the park to avoid interfering with wild animals,” he said.
The paramount rule at the Maasai Mara game reserve is that tour drivers and guides are not allowed to drive off the road to help achieve the objective of conserving the game reserve.
The guests are also required to give nature maximum respect by not making any calls to the animals, clapping hands, slamming doors and other acts that can pursue the wildlife.
Tunai however lauded most of the tour companies that have adhered to the regulations set at the game reserve, but asked the new drivers to follow the norm at the park.
The wildebeest migration is the World’s eighth Wonder that occurs between the months of July and September, where over three million Wildebeests, hundreds of thousands of Zebras among other grazers, spectacularly cross River Mara in search of grass.
The last year’s season witnessed low international arrivals following international travel bans to curb the spread of Covid-19, making the county to lose 95 per cent of its earnings.
However, things seem to be getting better as both local and international tourists have been seen flocking the pack with strict adherence to regulations set by the government to curb the spread of Covid-19.
By Ann Salaton
