. Kenya's famed wildebeest migration begins without foreign tourist crowds
Normally, the magnificent plains of Maasai Mara National Reserve are
crowded with international tourists hoping to see a lion hunt during the
annual wildebeest migration - but this year COVID-19 means Kenyans had
it all to themselves.
That’s good news for animal watchers but bad for conservationists who
rely on the funds to pay for rangers and protection. By June, Kenya had
already lost 80 billion Kenyan shillings ($740 million)in tourism
revenue, about half of last year’s total, due to the coronavirus crisis.
This weekend, thousands of mostly Kenyan visitors travelled to the park
to witness the migration. There were few foreigners - Kenya shut down
international flights in March and only resumed them on August 1.
“Once I came here, my thought and my view about everything has changed. I
am actually embarrassed that I have not come here the 29 years I have
been alive,” tourist Patience Mumo said.
So far Kenya has just over 26,000 confirmed cases of the disease and 420
deaths. Tourist resorts are required to observe strict social
distancing and hygiene measures but have been allowed to reopen.
“We are trying to revive the sector through the domestic tourism
strategy. And that is why we ask Kenyans ... to support tourism,”
Tourism and Wildlife Minister Najib Balala said.
As part of that push, the government was using celebrities like Eliud
Kipchoge, world marathon record holder, to showcase local attractions
like the Mara.
“What has impressed me is the terrain, the environment, the good air,
the presence of animals,” Kipchoge told Reuters after having a jog with
game rangers.
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