Is Masai Mara Safe For Tourists
Masai Mara National Reserve, widely regarded as one of the best wildlife reserves in Kenya and the entire world, is home to an incredible variety of mammals, from large herds of herbivores like the wildebeest, zebra, and Thompson’s gazelle to the famous “big five” (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo).
The reserve provides exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing throughout the year, with the great migration, one of the most amazing animal encounters in the world, taking place between July and November. Therefore, it should go without saying that Masai Mara is the top safari destination for both novice and seasoned travelers.
Masai Mara | 5 Day Safari in Kenya
Personal security is of utmost importance to many tourists who intend to travel to Masai Mara, as shown by one of the most commonly requested questions, “Is Masai Mara a safe place to visit?”
It is very safe to travel to the Masai Mara. The park is hours away from Kenya’s urban regions, where safety is more of a concern, and is properly patrolled by well trained Park Rangers and animal Wardens. The Masai Mara is one of the safest parks in Kenya to visit for a safari, for the reasons listed below.
Reasons Why Masai Mara is one of the safest Park to Visit
Location
Along Kenya’s western border with Tanzania, far from towns and cities, is where you’ll find the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Since this location is primarily in a wilderness, it is naturally tranquil and has a small number of people. The Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania are divided by an international border as well.
Although the border is not visibly marked, it is effectively secured, which promotes safety and security within the reserve as a result of the international border’s presence. It’s also important to remember that Kenya is generally a secure place to travel to, and travel warnings typically advise being extra cautious in certain areas of big cities like Nairobi or Mombasa.
National Importance
Given that tourism is one of the main sources of income for the nation, the Kenyan government has made ensuring the personal safety of visitors to important national parks and reserves a top concern. Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve, a top destination for travelers from all over the world, is a significant source of revenue for the nation. As a result, the Kenyan government pays close attention to its security.
Management of the Reserve
The professional management of the Masai Mara Game Reserve is carried out by a number of county governments in the area, which have also sent out some armed and highly trained park and wildlife rangers. Teams of these individuals continuously patrol the reserve. Almost all of the hotels, campgrounds, and lodges in the reserve have their own guards on duty 24 hours a day to watch over the movements of wild animals on and around their properties as well as to safeguard the safety of their tourists and guests. This is done to further secure your safety.
Visitors are urged to abide by a set of park rules for their own protection because wild animals can be harmful. One of these rules is to always stay in your vehicles, unless you’re in authorized picnic or walking areas. All visitors must leave the reserve by dusk, which is typically about 6.30 pm, or return to their campers or lodges. Driving in the dark is also prohibited in the reserve. Additionally, inside the main reserve, night game drives are not permitted.
Literally hundreds of visitors spend the night in Masai Mara National Reserve each year, although it is uncommon to hear of events involving safety or security. These figures show the degree of visitor safety in the park.
