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Bedding down with the ‘Beests.

Category: Great Migration, Lodges & Camps | Date: Jul 12 2008 | By: William

Wildebeest on the move near Milima Tatu
Wildebeest today on the move toward Milima Tatu

I went round most of the lodges and camps who are in or use the Mara Triangle yesterday delivering the posters for the Most Responsible Guide 2008 Award. There were some very nice camps indeed which would have looked lovely with guests in them.

In response to the comments left on the previous post, tourism is not as high as we had hoped for July. The industry is forecasting 50% for the months of July and August, although some of the camps I visited yesterday were completely empty. Forecast for the rest of the year after August, is back down to 20%.

It is true that there are many lodges and camps in the Masai Mara with over 4,000 beds, however the Masai Mara reserve falls under two county councils; Narok and Trans-Mara. The Mara Triangle is in Trans-Mara and is managed independently from the Narok side, and is dependent on the beds (guests) in lodges and camps in the Mara Triangle, or who use the Mara Triangle.

Wildebeest migrating today.

Wildebeest massing today.

So out of 4,000 beds in the Masai Mara, only 186 of these beds are inside the Triangle: 150 beds at Serena and 36 at Little Governors. We also collect revenue from four more lodges outside of the reserve who use the Triangle for their game drive: Olonana (24 beds), Mpata Safari Club (40 beds), Mara Siria (12 beds) and Kilima (20 beds).

This means that the Mara Conservancy collects park gate fees from those who sleep in a grand total of 282 beds. Which is not much compared to the Narok side; 850 beds inside the reserve (at the last count) and about 3,000 outside. This does mean less revenue for us, but it is what keeps the Mara Triangle so unique and beautiful - even when the tourists were here there were many parts of the Triangle which you could have all to yourself.

Wildebeest

Before the crisis hit in January we could manage on 282 beds. There are of course those who came into the Triangle and weren’t staying at the lodges, and the average revenue collection (before the crisis) for the Mara Triangle was US $3 million a year, with the Conservancy share being 36% of that, at about US $1.2 million - we are a not-for-profit organisation, and so all of this went into park operations.

With so many empty beds at the moment things aren’t looking so good for the Conservancy, and neither will it anytime soon. Please, if you are able, think about setting up a monthly donation for the Triangle. We would truly appreciate it as it will help us in the long term.

Thank you.

12 Responses to “Bedding down with the ‘Beests.”

Jean-Claude S (France), on 13 Jul 2008

It is true that the évênements of Nairobi marked and worried seriously the world. Nothing astonishing with the reduction of tourists. It is necessary to conduct a large campaign near the organizations of voyages which chose another destination that Kenya and thus carried wrong to the financing of your actions. The givers will not fail . Your work is so important for protection of nature. They forget not you.

Colleen, on 13 Jul 2008

It’s a shame that some countries like the United States that have huge tracts of their cities that are pits of violent crime can continue to be a hot tourist destination while the Mara gets punished for something that happened far away quite some time ago now and never touched the area. People who visit, say Washington DC, just know to avoid certain parts of the city and yet people still flock there for their vacations. Same with Israel. It’s still a tourist destination in spite of everything.
How do you get that point across to people?

Dana-Phoenix Arizona, on 13 Jul 2008

I can’t get my head around why people aren’t booking their trips now that the ‘conflict’ is over. Last year the Mara was jam packed. You couldn’t get a room unless you booked a year in advance! 20% occupancy for September for this year? This is so sad for the lodges, their staff and especially the Conservancy!! I know the Kenya Tourist Board did a campaign blitz, so what is going on? I certainly hope and pray that next year will be back to normal, but will that be a little too late?

Grace - Ohio, on 13 Jul 2008

I also can’t believe that the tourists are staying away, I remember three years ago having to book my trip months in advance. I really hope that things change soon, although from what you say it doesn’t look like the forecast is good.

I think you have forgotten to add Kichwa Tembo on the list of camps that use the Mara Triangle, or do they not use the Mara Triangle anymore?

scienceguy288, on 13 Jul 2008

There is one reason for the decline in tourists $$$! Everything costs more these days. But no, we don’t need to find a replacement for fossil fuels!

William, on 14 Jul 2008

Hello Grace

Before June 2008, all park fees of guests at Kichwa Tembo went to the landlords. Since June, the fees are now shared between the landlords and the Trans-Mara County Council.

Dana-Phoenix Arizona, on 14 Jul 2008

Well that’s interesting Will. I thought the money collected at KTC went to you all. So does that mean that The Conservancy does NOT get any of the $$$ collected at KTC?

Christine C., on 14 Jul 2008

I have to wonder if the decrease in tourism is due more in part to the state of the global economy? My understanding is that travelling to Africa (especially from North America) is just prohibitively expensive…I am hearing $3000 + US dollars just to fly there. That’s a lot of green stuff that I think a lot of people just don’t have right now. That said, perhaps old fashioned fund raising is just more practical at the moment….get people modestly invested as virtual tourists and eventually, when economies go on the upswing, those same virtual tourists may very well decend like your beloved wildebeests for all those empty beds. Best of luck as always William…and we will pass on your messages to help you raise some money.

William, on 14 Jul 2008

Dana, that’s right.

Thank you Christine. I think there will be a decrease in tourism for many months, maybe even a couple of years, so yes, a lot more fundraising and ideas needed to keep this going for the longterm. I like your idea of virtual tourists and we’re going to try and build on that to keep everyone involved with the work that continues here, with or without the actual tourists.

kim, on 14 Jul 2008

i agree with christine i also think the drop in tourists has an awfull lot to do with the economic gloom were about to go into here in england the forcast is bad but i also think that the media had a real field day with the violence in kenya and although it was terrible they realy did alot of harm by not making clear that it was in certain areas good tv i suppose but not so good for kenya sky news have alot to answer for i think some good coverage now on kenya as a holiday destination would not go amiss i will up our monthly donation by a little as every little helps keep up the work everyone

Susanna, on 15 Jul 2008

I was in the Mara from 21 to 27 June and I found things as busy (or not busy) as usual. In June I’m usually the only guest at camps for part of the trip, but not so this year. There were lots of Governors’ and Heritage vehicles. I was the first guest of the year for the safari company, but they were well booked for the high season. I requested to do some game drives in the Conservancy and got 1 ticket. We were there during midday and saw almost no other vehicles and no animals either. I’d set up a monthly donation if I had a monthly income. At the moment I have no income at all. If I manage to work full time for most of the year I’ll return to Kenya next year as it’s my number 1 priority in life and I’m very sad for not having found a way to stay. I’d like to stay at your side next year, but the Serena is a big hotel and very expensive and Little Governors’ is insanely expensive as are Olonana, Siria and Kilima. I’d do camping if I were a natural beauty. I’ll start looking seriously for people and organization that could give you money.

Btw, I felt very safe in Kenya, including walking the streets of Nairobi after dark.

Colleen, on 15 Jul 2008

economic gloom .. and .. travel agents switched to Tanzania after the crisis and are continuing with them.
Tanzania that allows trophy hunting and wants the ivory trade to be resumed.

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