Tour operators and officials have reaffirmed that Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and adjoining conservancies are well prepared for the upcoming safari season, with most facilities being unaffected by flooding that impacted the region in early May. Kenya’s peak safari season runs from June to September, coinciding with the peak of the Great Migration.

According to an article in Travel Weekly, local operators have reported that all airstrips and main game drive routes are unaffected by the flooding, and that wildlife remains healthy and abundant, boding for an “excellent” migration season.

The publication reported that the Narok County Government has already carried out repairs to the Talek gate bridge – located on one of the main access roads into and out of the reserve.

Mohanjeet Brar, MD of Gamewatchers Safaris, told Travel Weekly that travellers could confidently come to the Mara and continue their safari as planned “as the county government, national government, tourism players, conservancies and community leaders are all working to reinstate affected infrastructure to a high standard quickly”.

Speaking at an event in Kenya last week, Tourism and Wildlife and Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua reiterated that disruptions had been minimal. 

“Operations in most facilities have continued with visitors continuing with their stay. We have not had many cancellations by the international markets.”

The Mara Managers Association has emphasised the need for long-term preparedness and resilience measures to mitigate future flood risks, including investment in sustainable land management practices, early-warning systems, and infrastructure development.