The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has announced measures to protect the iconic wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara after public outrage over a viral video showing tourists obstructing the animals’ movement.
The video, shared on August 19 by wildlife advocacy group Cheetah Guardians, shows a group of tourists jumping out of safari vehicles and positioning themselves dangerously close, within a meter of wildebeest attempting to cross a river.
The disruption forced some of the animals to retreat, raising alarms over both human safety and wildlife welfare.
Under fire, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano issued a statement on August 21, unveiling a framework aimed at restoring order, ensuring accountability, and preserving the ecological integrity of Kenya’s world-renowned park.
Measures to Protect Wildlife and Tourists
As per the statement by CS Miano, tour operators will now be held to stricter accountability standards, with enforcement agencies empowered to penalize those who allow clients to flout park rules.
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“All visitors must remain in their vehicles except in designated areas,” the ministry stated.
“Tour operators permitting clients to disregard park regulations will face disciplinary or legal consequences.”
The Ministry, in collaboration with Narok County and the Kenya Wildlife Service, plans to increase the number of rangers stationed at key points, particularly at sensitive river crossing zones where illegal off-road driving and crowding have raised safety and conservation concerns.
“Visitor safety and wildlife protection are paramount,” said Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano.
“Preventing dangerous interactions safeguards both lives and conservation integrity.”
Collaborations with County Govt
In addition, the Ministry plans to work jointly with the Narok County Government to streamline regulations, harmonize visitor management, and implement awareness campaigns aimed at both visitors and tour operators.
Plans for additional signage and visitor education programs at the main gates and popular migration viewing points are also underway, according to CS Miano.
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“These actions are vital to preserving the integrity of the Maasai Mara and ensuring that the wildebeest migration remains one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles,” Miano said.
Viral Video of Tourists Blocking Wildebeest Migration
This comes after a video showing tourists blocking the wildebeest migration at the Maasai Mara sparked uproar in Kenya.
In a viral video shared on August 19 by Cheetah Guardians, a wildlife advocacy group, tourists are seen jumping out of their safari vehicles and rushing to the riverbanks in the Maasai Mara to watch the wildebeest migration, blocking their path to the point that some of the animals were forced to retreat into the water.
“Today, we witnessed a shocking and infuriating video: in the Maasai Mara, tourists jumped out of their safari vehicles and rushed to the riverbank to watch the wildebeest migration up close—some even blocked the animals’ path, forcing them back into the dangerous river. The distance between the wildebeest and the tourists was less than a meter,” Cheetah Guardians stated.
President William Ruto had launched the 2025 Great Wildebeest Migration in the Maasai Mara.
Speaking on July 24, 2025, in Narok during the global live broadcast of the migration, Ruto described the annual event as a powerful showcase of Kenya’s conservation leadership and the resilience of its people.
“This is the theatre of the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the Earth’s most awe-inspiring and mesmerising natural wonders,” Ruto said.
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