BY THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER
The management of Nature Responsible Safari has said a brake problem caused one of its tour vehicles to hurtle dangerously towards the banks of Mara River during the viewing of the annual migration of wildebeest in the Serengeti National Park on August 30, 2026. No one was hurt.
The company’s Managing Partner, Ms Rawdha Saud, said in a video message seen by The Arusha News that the vehicle was originally stationary but was suddenly jolted causing it to careen towards the river at the popular Kogatende crossing, as she confirmed that the tourists, driver/guide and vehicle involved belonged to their company, all escaped unharmed.
“As per the conversation we’ve had with the guide and the clients, the car was stationary before the incident happened. Then there was a sudden jolt and because of that, the guide tried to step on the brakes but they failed to work,” she said.
Ms Rawdha further claimed that investigators later identified a fault in the braking system. “The relevant authorities did the investigation and found a problem with the brakes, hence the cause of the incident,” she said. She added that the vehicle had been on safari for eight days and the accident happened on the final day.
“This safari had been taking place for eight days and ‘this’ occurred on the eighth day of the safari,” Ms Rawdha said, adding that prolonged travel on rough roads can place a heavy strain on safari vehicles.
The incident drew widespread attention after footage showed the Land Cruiser perked dangerously at the banks of the crocodile infested Mara River. Ms Rawdha said Nature Responsible Safari routinely checks its vehicles before and after safaris and has operated for 14 years.
She said the company remained in contact with the affected clients, who were safe and had continued with their tour to Zanzibar.
