It defeats the imagination to see how tour drivers, who are also trained guides, could compromise their professional ethics and let tourists out of their vehicles only to obstruct a major wildebeest annual migration crossing point that left animals in confusion and panic at the Kogatende section of the Serengeti National Park, in total breach of the rules.
Videos circulating on social media recently showed a huge group of tourists outside their vehicles, crowding the riverbanks as panicked wildebeest attempted to cross. Some animals leapt off cliffs or turned back in confusion, an incident conservationists called blatant breach of responsible safari tourism.
“That was a highly inappropriate and unethical incident, totally incompatible with conservation and sustainable tourism,” said Elirehema Maturo, Executive Director of The Tanzania Tour Operators Association (TATO), as he added: “We turned over 1,000 safari guides this year to empower them and give tourists a better experience” and apparently not to endanger their very lives.
Mr Maturo urged the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) to take firm action, “against those who tarnish the reputation of our industry,” adding, “TATO strongly condemns the disruptive conduct by tourists and safari drivers.”
The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) responded swiftly, releasing a public statement that confirmed they had identified the vehicles and drivers involved and assured the public that disciplinary measures would be taken.
“This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and goes against our conservation mission,” TANAPA’s Commissioner of Conservation, Ms Catherine Mbena, who heads the media desk, said. “All those involved have been notified as disciplinary measures are underway. Guides who violate park regulations risk having their licenses suspended or revoked,” she added.
TANAPA further stressed that disembarking from vehicles during game drives was strictly prohibited, especially in sensitive migration zone like river crossings during the migration.
The incident was brought to light by Nick Kleer, a South African guide and wildlife photographer, whose video of the blocked crossing went viral.
“I was shaking with anger. I’ve never been this upset on safari,” Kleer told Gateway Magazine. “Wildebeest panicked and jumped off cliffs. This should never happen.” He went on to criticise what he called “cynical silence” in the enforcement of tourism regulations.
“The rules are there. But there’s little to no enforcement. Authorities must crack down and remove licenses,” Kleer said. “Animal Survival International also weighed in, warning that repeated disregard of this kind could have long-term ecological consequences.”
“Tourist congestion and interference are not only dangerous to the animals but erode the essence of the serape and a sanctuary of the moment, hard part of their statement.”
Mr Maturo agreed. “The Great Serengeti Migration is one of Earth’s greatest natural spectacles,” he explained. “It depends entirely on securing meaningful regulations and this means putting animal welfare first – always,” he stressed.
