Is the Maasai Mara National Reserve safe for tourists?
How safe is the Maasai Mara National Reserve for visitors? | Kenya Wildlife Safaris.
Is the Maasai Mara National Reserve safe for tourists? Ranked as one of the best safari destinations in the world, Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve is indeed safe for tourists.
Forming part of the oldest ecosystems in the world, the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, Maasai Mara National Reserve is a sanctuary to a wide variety of wildlife, including a variety of mammals, from large herds of herbivores which include wildebeest, zebras and gazelles, which take part in the annual Great Migration, to the famous Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo.
The Mara is world-renowned for offering excellent game viewing all year round, with the annual Great Migration occurring between July and November. The Great Migration is one of the most remarkable wildlife encounters in the world, with over 2 million wildebeest and thousands of zebras and gazelles making a pit stop in the Maasai Mara as part of their annual odyssey. Therefore, Maasai Mara National Reserve is the ultimate African safari destination for both first-timers and experienced safari-goers.
For visitors planning a safari visit to Maasai Mara National Reserve, personal security is vital, as evidenced by “Is Maasai Mara National Reserve safe for tourists?” being one of the frequently asked questions.
Maasai Mara National Reserve is a totally safe safari destination to visit; it is well protected by professionally trained park rangers and wildlife wardens. Also, the reserve is located hours away from Kenya’s urban centres, where safety is more of a concern.
Here are the reasons why the Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of the safest destinations to visit for a safari in Kenya.
Location of Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is located in southwestern Kenya along the western border with Tanzania, far away from the busy towns and cities. Basically, the area is in the wilderness, hence naturally peaceful and with a low human population. Also, there is an international border that separates Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Though the border is not physically marked, it is well secured, thus increasing the safety and security within the reserve as a consequence of there being an international border here. Also, it is crucial to note that generally Kenya is a safe country to visit, and travel advisories usually mention exercising caution in parts of urban cities such as Nairobi or Mombasa, just like when you are travelling in other cities around the globe.
National Importance
With tourism being one of the leading sources of revenue in Kenya, the Kenyan government, as a priority, has put in measures to ensure the personal safety of tourists visiting national parks and reserves in Kenya. Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of the most famous reserves in the world and a premier Kenya safari destination, attracting a huge number of tourists from all over the world and making it a big income earner for the country. There, it receives keen attention in terms of security from the government of Kenya.
Management of Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve is professionally managed by a combination of local county administrations, which in turn have deployed highly trained park and wildlife rangers, some of whom may be armed. Teams of these personnel patrol the reserve constantly. To further ensure your safety, all safari lodges and camps in the reserve have their own guards around the clock, monitoring the movements of the wild animals in and around their properties as well as ensuring the safety of their guests. Wild animals can be dangerous, and because of that, there is a set of park rules which visitors are asked to adhere to for their own safety, one of them being to stay in their safari vehicles at all times unless they are at designated picnic or walking areas.
Also, driving in the dark is not allowed in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and all visitors must exit the reserve or return to their camps or lodges by dusk, usually 6.30 pm. Night game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve are not allowed; they are only done in the private conservancies surrounding the reserve.
How To Stay Safe While on a Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Wildlife has a right of way
While on a game drive in Maasai Mara National Reserve, it is important to know that wildlife has its own way. As you drive, you are not allowed to exceed the speed beyond 20 km/hr. Be at the right speed; that way, you can be able to break in case you find wildlife crossing the road. If you find any wildlife on the road, you are advised to stop and let it cross and give way to it to continue with your game viewing.
As much as there are park rules and regulations to follow in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, always know that wildlife has a right of way. It is their home, and you are just a visitor.
- Remain silent while on a game drive
When close to a wildlife sighting, it is advised to remain silent, which helps the animals be natural and uninterrupted by the noise made by the visitors while on game drives. Yelling, shouting and even loud talk are not allowed as they may pose danger to you. When speaking, use a low tone or mumble in case you need some clarity from the guide. Also, the safari vehicles’ engines are to be switched off to give animals ample and peaceful time in their spaces.
While in the wilderness, silence is paramount and is indicated as part of the rules and regulations of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
- Always drive on designated roads
The Maasai Mara National Reserve prohibits off-roading while on game drives, as you might damage the natural habitat or even step on and drive over an animal that could be lying down in the grass. Big cats such as cheetahs and lions are fond of hiding their cubs under bushes; snakes and birds also lay eggs in the grass, and off-roading might pose danger to flora and fauna species.
As part of the Maasai Mara National Reserve rules and regulations, it is good to respect these spaces and avoid off-roading to keep wildlife species safe and protected.
- Get a professional guide
The importance of a professional safari guide is sometimes ignored by visitors, but they are as important as any other aspect of a safari in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. These individuals know areas of the reserve, situations and conditions, and they can advise accordingly.
While on a Maasai Mara safari, it is important to have a guide who knows the park rules in depth. There have been incidents of tourists getting lost during their safari; however, with a professional guide, they know the directions to take, and in case of any rescue or difficult situation, they are always available.
