Tourism blow as drought in Tanzania forces wildebeests back to Mara reserve

HUNDREDS of thousands of wildebeests that migrated to Serengeti plains in Tanzania from Maasai Mara Game Reserve two months ago have returned.The abnormal occurrence, ecologists say, has been necessitated by drought that has affected many parts of Tanzania including Serengeti National Park.

The tourism peak season in Mara starts every July when the animals cross Mara River to the reserve and ends early October when they cross back to Tanzania.

“The drought has forced them to return to Mara where there is enough pasture for them. The grass, which was depleted when they were in the reserve, regenerated after the short rains set in,” said Nick Murero, the Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem Co-ordinator for Lake Victoria Basin.

Hoteliers yesterday expressed optimism that the new development would force tourists to return to the reserve to watch the spectacular migration, adding that their return has also increased the concentration of carnivorous and other wild cats.

“We expect tourists who didn’t watch them as they crossed the crocodile-infested river between last July and October to return. The unexpected return will now boost arrivals as we head towards the Christmas and New Year holidays,” said Stephen Mpaayei, Keekorok Lodge manager.

Mpaayei said the lodge has recorded brisk business since the wildebeests started returning two weeks ago.

Some lodges and camps management, The Standard has learnt, were contemplating recalling workers they had sent on compulsory leave due to poor tourist arrivals.

“We had sent non-core workers on leave until business improves during the Christmas and New Year holidays. We are now planning to recall them in the hope that there will be arrivals due to the latest event,” said Lily Waddington, a director with Osero Lodge Ltd within Siana Conservancy, east of the reserve.

New bookings

Tour operators, who said they have started receiving bookings ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities, said there was a big number of lions, leopards, cheetahs and other animals that feed on wildebeests and zebras, which have also returned.

“The return has made our work easy. Visitors are now able to watch preferred animals without travelling long distances. We are expecting more visitors to come and watch them,” said Tour Guides and Drivers Association Secretary Hosea Serem.

Other hoteliers who were interviewed said there was need to aggressively market Mara for it to continue receiving visitors throughout the year, adding apart from migration, there were many other products that tourists could sample.

SOURCE: THE STANDARD