Zimbabwe unrest boosts tourist figures in Kenya
(31 Jul 2001)
1. High shot of the Masai Mara
2. Giraffe running
3. Giraffe
4. Lion
5. Lions eating a a carcass of a zebra
6. Tourists watching the lions eating
7. Lions eating
8. Elephants on the move
9. Elephant with one tusk walking
10. Exterior of the hotel
11. Sign of the hotel KICHWA TEMBO CAMP
12. Various of Jackson Olaka, hotel manager
13. Jackson talking to one of the guests
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Jackson Olaka, hotel manager
"Tourism has picked up considerably well, particularly now from the beginning of July, we have seen a massive improvement. This has come in as a result of improved roads and security and basically the refurbishment of most camps. And this also has a lot to do with the marketing which has also been done extensively."
15. Various shots of tourists looking at the Mara river
16. SOUNDBITE (English) Mayola Warner, tourist
"We are so happy to be here, we never thought we would come to Africa, but we are so glad, so glad."
17. Landrover crossing over water in the Masai Mara
18. Various of tourists watching on
19. Wildebeast on the move
21. Lioness waiting
22. Wildebeast feeding from its mother
23. Wildebeast grazing
24. Various of crocodiles on the Mara river
25. Mara
STORYLINE:
The recent political instability in Zimbabwe has had direct effects on the tourist industry in Kenya this year- which has seen a 20% increase in safari holidays.
A series of restructuring measures in the tourist industry has also helped to bring the crowds in.
Marketing strategies, improved security arrangements, better lodging facilities have all helped to attract a wider gamet of adventurers, of all ages, into the country.
The Masai Mara covers an area of about 1,500 square kms in the southwestern corner of Kenya.
This is the stuff of western tourist dreams: nature at its wildest, a world away from the urban jungles many wish to escape - at least for a few weeks.
Here people come to see, among others, lions, giraffes, elephants and buffalos.
This is also the season of annual migration for the wildebeast.
They come from Tanzania into Kenya to graze on the Mara plains - and to mate.
Then they return to Tanzania in November.
Tourists flock to see this annual event, but unfortunately their presence has affected these annual cycles by hindering the crossing of the wilderbeast.
So while Kenya depends increasingly on the tourist industry, its effects pose real threats to the country's ecological life.
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