Floods in the Masai Mara Game Reserve have caused massive destruction of tourist facilities and the death of many wild animals.
The impact of flash floods on a reserve's ecosystem can be significant, affecting animals through drowning as well as disrupting habitat, food sources and water availability.
Giraffes and gazelles are the most affected, said Nicolas Ole Morero, head of the Narok County Natural Resources Network.
He added that the inundation of tourist facilities in the hunting reserve is likely to have a significant impact on the owners’ revenues.
“We had a lot of bookings affected by the floods as some camps and hotels were flooded. We are currently moving tourists to safer places,” Mr Morero said.
Campsites affected include JW Marriot Masai Mara Lodge, Mara Leisure, Mara Sweet Acacia, Croscodile Camp, Pride Inn-Azure Lodge, Intrepid, Mara Sopa and Base Camp.
Helicopters were used to evacuate tourists from damaged facilities.
Stephen Minnis, head of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), head of Narok Park, told… his mom Some tourists are stranded and may miss their return flights to their countries because the only road through the flooded Talik Gate is impassable and only helicopters can be used to evacuate them.
Narok County Commissioner Kipkweche Lutiata on Thursday led the county security team in the rescue operation and confirmed that they were using two helicopters provided by the county government and KWS to evacuate tourists and workers trapped in the affected facilities. In the past five days, at least 11 people have died due to floods in Narok and Bomet counties.
– Tobias Meso and Vitalis Kimutai