Is Masai Mara Safe For Tourists? Masai Mara national reserve is acclaimed to be one of the best wildlife reserves in Kenya as well as the world, the reserve is a home to a rich variety of wildlife including an incredible variety of mammals from large herds of herbivores which include wildebeests, zebras and Thompson gazelles and the famous Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo).
Masai Mara national reserve offers cultural encounters as well as excellent wildlife viewing throughout the year, with the Great Migration occurring between July and November which is one of the most remarkable wildlife encounters in the world. In conclusion, Masai Mara national reserve is the ultimate safari destination for both first – timers and experienced safari – goers.
For many travelers planning to visit Masai Mara national reserve, there first concern is their personal security which is the most important and it has been one of the most frequently asked.
Masai Mara national reserve is a very safe destination to visit, the reserve is well protected by professionally – trained park rangers and wildlife Wardens, the park is located hours away from the urban areas of Kenya where safety is more a concern.
Here are some of the reasons to why Masai Mara national reserve is one of the safest safari destinations to visit for a safari in Kenya.
Location
Masai Mara national reserve is located away from towns and cities in the Southern part of Kenya along the Great Rift Valley Area in Narok County, the reserve is situated along Kenya’s western border with Tanzania and is continuous to Serengeti national park in Tanzania. This area is basically in the wilderness hence being peaceful and with a low human population.
There is also an international border that separates Masai Mara national reserve from Tanzania’s Serengeti national park, although the border is not physically marked it is well secured and this increases the safety and security within the reserve as a consequence of there being an international border here.
It is worth noting that Kenya is generally a safe country to visit, however as it is usually mentioned by the travel advisories, it is important to exercise caution in parts of Urban cities of Kenya such as Nairobi or Mombasa.
National Importance
Tourism is one of the leading sources of revenue in Kenya and the Kenyan Government takes it as priority to put in measures to ensure the personal safety of tourists visiting key national parks and reserves.
Masai Mara national reserve is a premier reserve / safari destination in Kenya attracting a huge population of tourists from all across the world making it a big income earner for the country. There it receives a keen attention in terms of security from the Government of Kenya.
Management of the reserve
Masai Mara national reserve is managed professionally by a combination of local Country administrations which in return have deployed highly trained park and wildlife rangers, some of whom may be armed. Teams of these personnel patrol the reserve on a constant basis, they ensure the safety of tourists. As wild animals can be dangerous there are a set of park rules which visitors are asked to adhere to for their own safety, one of these being to stay in your vehicles at all times. Unless at designated picnic or walking areas, driving in the dark is also not allowed in the reserve and all the visitors must exit the reserve or return to their camps and lodges by dusk usually 6.30 pm.
Night game drives are also not allowed inside Masai Mara national reserve
Each and every year, thousands of tourists visit and stay in Masai Mara national reserve every year and through the years, it has been rare to come across any safety or security related incidents. The safety of Masai Mara national reserve is evidenced by the huge number of travelers visiting the park.
