The elephant in the room: Overtourism in Africa
Recent media reports about aggressive tourism and overcrowding in the Kenyan Masai Mara has put the spotlight on a much larger problem in sub-Saharan Africa. With travelers worldwide looking for authentic and untouched experiences, could Africa become a victim of its own success? Could it be destroying the pristine wilderness it is selling?
The focus on aggressive tourism in Kenya follows a report in the New York Times in January highlighting the practices of some tour guides in the Masai Mara, captured on video and circulated on social media. The footage shows two cheetahs taking down an antelope. Seconds later, dozens of safari vehicles close in on the animals, with guides hoping to enable their passengers to get that one perfect photograph.
The article, and others like it, created a PR nightmare for Kenya and for safari operators, tourism players said. But it is a nightmare that many said deserves attention.
“Overcrowding has become a problem on many African safaris,” said Mefi Pishori Alapat, safari designer for Journey to Africa. She said that in smaller ecosystems like the Masai Mara and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, there are often more than 200 vehicles in a small area, with every vehicle competing to get a better view. “It’s not good for the wildlife nor for the safety of guests, as they are racing for the best spot.”
Brian Heath, CEO of the Mara Conservancy, said that tourism growth in the Mara has been explosive. A recent audit showed there are currently 49 tourism facilities in the reserve as well as 153 camps located just outside it. That’s 5,800 beds in about 600 square miles of wilderness. A lot of newly built camps lack the proper licenses and approvals from the government, he said, and numerous “guides” in the reserve lack any accreditation.
The situation has a direct impact not only on the visitor experience and the image of Africa but also on its wildlife. According to Heath, tourism development in the Mara has resulted in a decline in both the number of wildebeests and in the time they spend in the reserve during the migration.
Overtourism, especially in Africa’s national parks, is not a new problem nor is it exclusive to Kenya. There are several reasons for this.
Mohanjeet Brar, managing director for Gamewatchers Safaris, said that intra-Africa travel has increased along with the continent’s population, which is expected to double in the next 30 years.
“There’s a growing middle class, with many [people] wanting to explore and experience the sites in their country and within the African continent,” Brar said.
There is also growing demand from international source markets, as travelers are unleashing pent-up demand for bucket list trips like safaris. All of this has led to investors and communities seeing opportunities for more camps, lodges and vehicles.
