County contests claims that new safari camp is obstructing wildlife

Section of the Ritz-Carlton safari camp in Maasai Mara. [Photo/Courtesy]

Narok County has dismissed claims that the new Ritz-Carlton Maasai Safari Camp is obstructing critical wildlife migration corridors in the Maasai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.

In response to a formal complaint by Meitamei Ololdapash, Director of the Maasai Education, Research, and Conservation (MERC) Institute, County Secretary Mayiani Tuya dismissed the allegations as “unfounded and misleading.”

He said the luxury safari project has not interfered with the annual wildebeest migration routes or endangered species’ habitats.

“The Ritz-Carlton Maasai Mara Safari Camp does not block any wildlife migration corridor nor does it interfere with the habitat of endangered species,” Tuya stated.

According to Tuya, the camp is operating lawfully under a lease agreement with Narok County, and in compliance with the Maasai Mara National Reserve Management Plan 2023–2032—a policy document formulated under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2013) and adopted through public participation.

Environment Cabinet Secretary, Governor Patrick Ntutu, Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Erastus Kanga, and National Environment Management Authority (Nema) Mamo B Mamo, have all endorsed the management plan.

This plan outlines zoning, migration corridors, and conservation protocols to ensure ecological integrity.

The management plan includes collaborative conservation efforts with KWS and Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) and outlines key actions such as protecting black rhinos and preserving migration routes within the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.

The camp, Tuya noted, has created jobs for the local community and promotes cultural tourism and social responsibility programmes, generating much-needed revenue.

As controversy brews, tourism stakeholders have welcomed the Ritz-Carlton brand, viewing it as a strategic shift in Kenya’s tourism narrative—from mass-market to high-end experiences.

Mohammed Hersi, Director of Operations at Pollmans Tours & Safaris, stated Ritz-Carlton’s first safari lodge in Africa signifies a bold repositioning of Kenya as a premium tourism destination.

“In choosing Kenya, Ritz-Carlton bypassed formidable contenders such as Botswana, Tanzania, and South Africa. This decision confirms Kenya’s growing stature on the global luxury travel map,” Hersi said.

With only 20 bespoke tented suites, the camp promises exclusivity, intimacy, and an authentic safari experience—all complemented by the legendary Ritz-Carlton hospitality.

The luxury safari camp, reportedly charges between $3,500 (Sh451,000) and $26,000 (Sh3.3 million) per person per night. It features 21 high-end tents, wellness facilities, and private game drives, making it one of the most exclusive wilderness escapes in East Africa.

Despite reassurances from the county government, Ololdapash remains unconvinced. In a letter dated July 24, he issued a 14-day ultimatum to Marriott International, demanding full disclosure of the project’s legal, environmental, and community documentation.

“Failure to respond in a timely and complete manner will trigger the escalation of our advocacy, legal, and international reporting measures,” Ololdapash warned in the letter addressed to Marriott President and CEO Anthony Capuano.

The deadline—August 7, 2025—comes just days before the official launch of the camp, slated for August 15, 2025. Central to his concerns is the camp’s location near Sand River, a protected wildlife corridor that serves as a vital crossing point for the Great Wildebeest Migration between the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti.

The situation has drawn international attention, with critics labeling it one of the most controversial tourism developments in Kenya’s recent history.