The Masai Mara National Reserve is the target of an ambitious plan, laid out by the Narok County government, to increase tourist numbers throughout the year. The announcement was made as Governor Samwel Tunai signed a year-long contract with Reuters to market the area.
Speaking at the signing, Tunai told The Nation that the plan was to diversify the offerings in the region to prevent a reliance on the high season. He said it would include improvements to the six airstrips in the area and tarring the Narok-Mara road. A number of local carriers fly between the reserve and Nairobi, making it easier for tourists to access the reserve.
“We are keen to sell the Mara to the world as a premier holiday destination, the Mara as the eighth wonder of the world due to its iconic wildebeest migration, and as a destination for filmmakers,” said Tunai.
He said he planned to develop a focus on the Maasai culture as a drawcard, and as a way of creating year-round visitors. “In the Mara, we want to look at ways in which we can have a tourist spend a lot longer than the average two to three days they spend here.”
