In our FOCUS ON series we look at a topic and delve a little deeper. This time we are looking at how the tourism industry can responsibly manage the huge numbers of people wanting to see spectacular events such as The Great Migration, without impacting on the natural world.
What is The Great Migration? The Great Migration is an annual movement of more than 1 million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The animals are searching for water and new grazing areas and take the natural corridors which help them on their way. This includes what has become known as the Mara River Crossing, which takes place around the months of July-October.
And it’s a popular event for tourists? Absolutely. Relative to other protected areas, visitor density in the Mara/Serengeti system is significantly higher and has been cited as ten times higher than certain Kenyan parks and up to 17 times higher than Tanzania’s Serengeti. Although these comparisons should be treated carefully due to differences in size, access, and seasonality, they do highlight the strain placed on key pressure zones.
So what’s the issue? As you can imagine The Mara River Crossing is one of those natural spectacles which people are keen to experience but in July this year a video showing more than 150 safari trucks packed with tourists went viral. The trucks were blocking the migration corridor for wildebeest trying to cross the river at the Mara River Crossing. Tourists were seen craning to get photos and jumping out of the vehicles, running down to the river, while the animals were panicking trying to find their way among the cars.
How could this happen? Exactly. We spoke to The Mantis Collection’s Cameron Doyle about the event and what can be done to manage tourism responsibly in these popular destinations.
Tell us more: The Mantis Collection was founded by Adrian Gardiner 25 years ago. Mantis stands for Man and Nature Together is Sustainable. Cameron Doyle is a conservation consultant for Mantis Collection. He specialises in conservation tourism and has a strong background in reserve operations, guest experience, and sustainable development.
Doyle says: “There is simply no situation where it should be acceptable for people to exit their vehicles during an event like a river crossing. It endangers both people and wildlife and compromises the integrity of the entire experience. If we expect better from tourists, we must first demand better from the professionals entrusted to guide them.”
“Overcrowding at river crossings and lodge clustering has already led to noticeable behavioural shifts in wildlife such as animals avoiding heavily trafficked areas, restricted movements, and signs of erosion and habitat damage,” he adds.
How can we balance visitor numbers while protecting these natural events? Doyle thinks if we want true eco-tourism, we have to hold ourselves accountable for both the impact and the experience. “The moment human interference alters the behaviour of any species, there’s a problem. In the case of overcrowding and poor guiding management in the Serengeti, we’re now seeing drastic human interaction causing drastic animal behavioural change. Unfortunately, that change is leading to the degradation of one of the most magnificent spectacles on earth, the great migration,” he says.
“These tourists, and more specifically the tour operators and guides on the ground (not all of them), are putting the migration at serious risk. There’s a clear failure in regulation and responsibility, and if left unchecked, we may be witnessing the slow undoing of a natural wonder. Unfortunately, we’re not talking about isolated incidents but rather a pattern of behaviour that’s becoming more and more visible. There needs to be the creation, enforcement and proper management of strict wildlife viewing and guiding protocols in the Serengeti.”
What reactions did the video get? The original video spurred an outcry from conservationist and also some responses from other experts in the area. For example Michael Laubscher tour leader & head guide at Wild Eyes posted a video on Instagram of what looked like a calm and organised crossing a few weeks later, showing how the rangers and authorities were putting the animals first, and saying “this is what responsible tourism looks like.”
He said on his post: “Great work Kenya! Yes! This is what we’ve been waiting for. The great migration is in full swing here in the Masai Mara and while the vehicle numbers have surged some, so too has the incredible work of the rangers. Today I witnessed something special, a calmness amidst the chaos. With crossings happening across the south western section of the Mara, rangers were on fire keeping order, moving vehicles when needed, stopping bad behavior in its tracks, even handing out fines to those crossing the line. It was so so so good to see! And again I’ll say, that this level of authority is the first of seen in my 9 years of traveling to the Mara Triangle. This is what responsible tourism looks like. This is what respect for wildlife looks like.”
Laubscher acknowledged the issues but commented that it was worth celebrating the wins and supporting the people who are also doing the right thing.
There are strategies to manage peak tourism numbers in popular destinations – what is in place at the moment? Recommendations in Tanzania’s Tourism Investment Manual include reintroducing multiple-entry passes to ease visitor logistics. Updated regulations in 2024 also introduced visitor limits and activity restrictions in certain parks. But more means to be done judging from the scenes over the summer. Sustainable tourism destination management could be implemented in the most heavily trafficked parts of the park. This could include raising the entry cost in specific areas, closing high-traffic zones on a rotational basis to allow the system to breathe, or even putting daily caps on vehicle access to particularly sensitive spots.
Doyle says:”More creatively, implementing a permit-based access system for peak migration crossings could spread tourism more evenly across the park and across the calendar year. This would encourage tourists to explore lesser known but equally rich areas of the Serengeti and Tanzania as a whole.”
Do permits work when managing overtourism? Yes. According to Doyle the permit-based idea has been in place elsewhere and lessons can be learnt from the process. Global examples include permit and quota systems such as The Inca Trail in Peru, and many US wilderness areas, to limit daily hikers. Bhutan, Nepal, and the Galápagos Islands operate entry quotas to ensure ecological sustainability. In New Zealand, specific national parks require advance permits or track bookings to manage load.
“While these contexts differ from the vast savanna systems of East Africa, they illustrate a proven principle: permits and quotas can work when supported by enforcement, data monitoring, and stakeholder buy in,” he says.
What about the stories of hotel developments in this popular area? While researching this story we heard conservationists were concerned with new hotel developments in the area. For example, The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp, which opened in the summer, is located in a riverine enclave on the Sand River – a setting recognised for its ecological sensitivity.
The details of the newly opened camp will be looked at in court this week after conservationists and Maasai leaders contested the development citing concerns for the wildlife in the area.
We asked Marriott for comment. Marriott told us: “Development in this area is carefully regulated, with only a few tourism establishments permitted to operate to preserve the ecological integrity and function of the habitat. As part of the owner’s commitment to responsible stewardship, the camp adheres to a rigorous environmental framework that ensures any potential impact is thoughtfully mitigated and offset, in line with environmental regulations.”
The spokesperson explained that Marriott does not own or lease land in the Masai Mara National Reserve: “The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp is owned, developed, and operated by Lazizi Mara Limited, a private Kenyan company. Marriott has entered into a franchise agreement with Lazizi Mara Limited, allowing the Safari Camp to operate under The Ritz-Carlton brand.”
According to Marriott, Lazizi Mara Limited shared the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with the group, which was conducted by a licensed expert, in accordance with the Kenyan Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) and the EIA regulations in April 2024. The owners also confirmed with Marriott that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) have issued an EIA licence.
Game drives must be a key focus for the camp’s responsible stewardship? Yes. Marriott said: “Game drives are conducted by certified silver- and gold-rated guides who observe ethical safari practices, maintaining appropriate distances from wildlife, limiting vehicle numbers at sightings, and avoiding off-road driving outside designated zones.”
The spokesperson said the camp is working in partnership with conservation organisations, and habitat restoration initiatives will focus on regenerating riparian forests and wetlands along the Sand River. Guests of the camp will also be invited to participate in tree-planting.
Marriott added that the camp lodges are fully solar-powered and will be among the most energy-efficient camps in East Africa, with battery storage capable of powering the property for up to three days. A closed-loop water treatment system recycles greywater and harvests rainwater, while a zero-waste commitment minimises environmental impact.
Taking the road less travelled – opting for off season visits or visiting second cities rather than the go-to destinations are all ways to be a responsible traveller. How could that work with something as spectacular as this event? Exactly. Tourists should, of course, choose destinations based on their own values and interests. But there are lesser-known alternatives where migration events can be viewed in a more controlled environment.
Mantis’s Doyle says these places include Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park, which offers unique migration experiences without the usual crowds, while Rwanda’s Akagera National Park “combines rich biodiversity with controlled visitor numbers for a more intimate and sustainable safari experience.”
But won’t that just shift the problem elsewhere? Yes – redirecting large volumes of tourists to other parks without proper destination management could replicate the same challenges elsewhere but Doyle is positive there is a solution.
“The solution lies in a unified approach to conservation focused tourism, led by park authorities, responsible hospitality groups and everyone involved in the guest journey; from booking agents to receptionists. Ultimately, it’s not about discouraging travel to the area, but about encouraging the right kind of travel,” he says.
So the strategies for managing responsible tourism in this area are well developed, but they need to stay robust going forward? Yes it seems that the organisations working and protecting this area are hard at work to keep the balance.
As Michael Laubscher, tour leader & head guide at Wild Eyes said on his positive Instagram post: “If this continues, the Mara will be the place to be. A world class safari destination. A shining example of conservation and tourism coexisting in harmony.”
Mantis’s Doyle says: “The Serengeti continues to set the benchmark for responsible destination management in Africa, where tourism and conservation work hand in hand. Beyond protecting the park’s extraordinary wildlife, responsible tourism here directly uplifts surrounding communities. ”
He tells us about programmes such as the Serengeti De-snaring and Cheetah Conservation Projects which are supported in part through visitor contributions, funding anti-poaching patrols, monitoring initiatives, and local ranger employment. There is also the Friends of Serengeti initiative, which connects travellers to tangible impact; from supporting environmental education and women-led enterprises to tree-planting and conservation radio broadcasts in surrounding villages.
“Many lodges have adopted renewable energy, local sourcing, and waste-reduction practices, ensuring that tourism revenue benefits both people and the planet. The result is a landscape where guests don’t just witness the Great Migration, but they also help sustain it, embodying a model of travel that actively protects the wild heart of East Africa for generations to come,” he adds.
Photo by Jorge Tung on Unsplash