Brisk business at the Mara as wildebeest tour begins

Hotels in Masai Mara are recording brisk business as tourists from all over the world troop to watch the ongoing wildebeest migration.

Already, about 1 million wildebeests have crossed the Mara River. A similar number is expected before the annual tourism peak season enters homestretch in October.

Most hoteliers say their establishments will remain booked until towards the end of the next month. Bed occupancy stands at above 85 per cent.

"We are going to be fully booked until towards the end of next month. Most of our visitors are from UK, US, Germany and Japan," said Bernard Kipeno, the proprietor of a tented camp outside the Mara Triangle.

Mr Kipeno said despite the travel advisory by the UK, US, France and Australia governments against visiting some parts of the country, tourists from those countries were still visiting the Mara.

The presence of wildebeests in the reserve has increased the number of carnivorous animals with tourists also having easy access to the Big Five group of lions, cheetahs, leopards, buffaloes and elephants.