Editor's Review

Only safari trucks, safari land cruisers, and safari vans would be allowed access to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The Narok County Government has come out to explain its move to prohibit the use of private vehicles for game drives in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

In a statement on Wednesday, June 6, the county government noted that it was forced to ban private vehicles due to numerous instances of misconduct.

The county government said there were several reported incidents of misconduct by drivers and occupants of private vehicles who displayed blatant disregard for reserve regulations.

The Patrick Ntuntu administration also said some private vehicle drivers and occupants were holding unauthorized gatherings and partying on the premises.

“Escalating cases of environmental degradation within the reserve premises, characterized by littering, noise pollution, and unauthorized gatherings (Kupiga Sherehe and partying), all contravening the stipulated reserve protocols,” read the statement in part.

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File image of Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntuntu at the Maasai Mara National Reserve. 

Further, the county government mentioned that some drivers were deviating from designated paths, thereby creating unauthorized routes and exacerbating the risk of environmental damage.

According to the Narok administration, the off-road excursions resulted in vehicular entrapment, necessitating extensive rescue operations, often extending into the deep of the night.

“The Narok County Government emphasizes that sanctioned vehicles are accompanied by proficient guides, extensively trained in reserve protocols, ensuring safe and compliant exploration of the park,” the statement added.

The private vehicles were banned in a memo by Chief Park Administrator Alex Nabaala dated June 3, 2024.

Nabaala stated that only the safari trucks, safari land cruisers, and safari vans would be allowed access to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

“In line with the implementation of the Maasai Mara Management Plan, we have banned the usage of private vehicles for game drives. The vehicles that will be used for game drives are only the safari trucks, safari land cruisers, and safari vans. Kindly adhere to this strictly,” the memo stated.