Masai Mara Game Reserve investors prepare for tourism season

By Kipchumba Kemei

NAROK, KENYA: Hoteliers in Masai Mara Game Reserve are recording impressive bookings ahead of the July-October tourism peak season.

They said on Saturday they have started receiving bookings, hoping that lodges and camps will remain booked until late October when the season peter out.

The annual season kicks off with the migration of hundreds of wildebeests from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Kenya through the Mara River. The event has been named the new eighth wonder of the world.

“We hope to remain booked from mid July to the end of October when the wildebeests are expected to cross the river back to the Serengeti plains. The bookings will be boosted by the peaceful manner in which Kenyans conducted themselves before and after the General Election,” said Theophilus Sumwe, the manager of Tipilikwani Camp in the western side of the reserve.

Shumwe said the ongoing repairs on Narok-Mara road would hasten movements of tourists to and from the reserve, adding that the work should be completed before the peak season begins.

He petitioned treasury to increase allocation of money meant for promotion of Kenya as a preferred tourists destination and give the players in the industry tax holidays as a measure towards promoting it.

“Kenya still remains an expensive tourist destination in the world because of various tax regimes including the Airport and fuel taxes. Treasury should waive taxes which stand on the way of the sector promotion,” he added.

He spoke as other investors asked Narok County government to harmonise tariffs and fees tourists pay on entering the National Reserve, lamenting that guests in camps and lodges outside the park pay Sh6,800 while those who reside in establishments inside pay Sh5,950.

Sumwe also called on the county government to stop livestock farmers from grazing their animals inside the park because it was an eyesore and it interferes with wildlife Safaris.

“The mushrooming of trading centres at the close proximity to the park should be regulated. The county should also check on uncontrolled garbage disposal including those that are non degradable,” said Ben Kipeno who owns an exclusive tented camp in the Mara Triangle.