Incident at Entim camp in Mara
 

I've just come across this on tripadvisor. Any body know whether this is an accurate report/anything about it?

Entim Masai Marai camp........ has been attacked on the evening of Sept. 13 in 2009 around 8.30 PM.

many fireshots have been shot. they could be heard in other lodges, such as the Rekero Camp. we had to hide 1h30 in the bushes before being rescued by the KWS. the people from the camp can not explain what has happened. only 3 mobile phones have been stolen, kitchen tents were messed up, one guard got injured. no one killed. It seems like an act of revenge ? police has been informed and are looking for the suspects that fled by crossing the Mara river on foot.

I don't read TripAdvisor, unless someone points out something interesting.

I would be curious to hear about this too if anyone has information. Simply because Entim was on my radar (not that I'm trying to imply that this can't happen elsewhere) ......

There was an incident at the same camp back in 2007. Not sure about this one.

http://www.safaritalk.net/index.php?showtopic=1785

I believe these type of incidents do happen but they are certainly not common.

My reply is the same as Hari's. I wonder if a flowing Mara with possible crocs has served as a protective barrier in the past. Thank goodness no one was killed and I hope the guard recovers.

As to the motive, it would not appear to be robbery.

Bwino
The incident in 2007 was NOT at Entim. The couple was staying OUTSIDE the reserve. Entim was still under construction when the couple was raided in 2007.

A friend of ours read in the SA papers in 2007 that at ILKELIANI was such an incident. Somehow that's a bit misterious.

I'll try and return if I get more information.

Anyway - it's SCARY!

SV

Here is Ben and Jackie's own description of the incident. They were indeed at Entim where the attack occured in Nov 2007. Wilson is their Landcruiser!

http://www.hilux4x4.co.za/views/view...php?f=4&t=1059

Because I appreciate the location of Entim Camp in the Mara & the small intimate experience & and the great guides, I have been recommending/selling it (and a few other camps) for two seasons now. I know what happened on the night of the 13th, just around dinner time. Fortunately, none of my own clients were in camp that night.

First of all - the incident is true. However, some of the details are incorrect. Shots were fired (although it is now thought these were fired by the armed ranger at camp, and 30 minutes when the other rangers first arrive on scene they fired shots into the air).

When the first shot was fired the few clients at camp were gathered by the camp managers and split into 2 groups before being taken to a safe bush area where they hid for several hours until the area was declared safe by the warden who then spoke to the clients.

Within 30 minutes after the first shot there were many rangers from all the posts arriving at the camp and the tracking started but were lost when the attackers crossed the Mara.

Clients were not hurt, client tents were not touched, kitchen tent was messed up and cell phones on charge were taken (and still lost). One Maasai guard fell during the event and hurt his back (I do not know how serious it is). No-one was shot.

I read some of the comments from guests afterwards and those were praising the camp management for the way the traumatic incident was handled.

The part about tents being old is simply untrue. See my own pictures from March 2009. http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mara/Entim.htm

I am naturally very concerned about the incident because my next group arrives on Monday and then several more until late October. So I am trying to stay abreast of the situation. Is any camp really safe in the Mara? Shall clients be moved elsewhere?

Well, one of the managers at Entim is a dear friend, Mara Thomsom, who some of you may remember from Chada Katavi. She is very experienced, a wonderful chef and a great manager. AND my Maasai partner in the Maasai Mara, David who lives near Governors on the reserve border, has a brother who is a senior ranger assigned at Ol Kiombo Airstrip and responsible for the area around Entim.

So I have a lot of confidence in the people of Entim and the rangers of the area. They all assured me there will be at least two armed rangers on duty at camp for the foreseeable future and more patrols.

I do not know why Entim was targeted. Perhaps because it is one of the more remote camps in terms of distance from the ranger stations, and because the natural security barrier (Mara) is lower than normal.

Nevertheless, I think it is the duty and responsibility of the park rangers to ensure security of all camps and guests especially those camps in the more remote areas.

My wife and I spend a lot of time in the Mara every year and we often go to remote areas off the beaten track. I have a personal interest in better security.

These attacks are certainly worrisome and I hope the Government and conservancies and Rangers will make security a high-priority discussion point of all future agendas, because Kenya does not need any more bad press. The country is not in good shape.

CHSL, thanks for your clarification of the report. You are right, Kenya doesn't need any more bad press.

Thank you CHSL. The facts are important to prevent rumors and half truths from escalating.

"The part about tents being old is simply untrue." I missed that accusation, but in light of so much more serious issues, I cannot imagine the age of the tents entering into this discussion.

asante sana, Eben

Entim is on the east side of the Mara River, south of the Talek River - correct? So, when the attackers fled/escaped across the Mara River, it was west into the Mara Triangle? Why does this (as a self-driver, who just spent 6 nights on a special campsite in the Triangle in August) make me wonder if the two of us were crazy to be out there alone. Robin

Thanks for the details, Eben. Appreciate it.

Sounds like, at times when we wish to be away in more remote areas from crowded zones chances of incidents like this may happen too. It's all just down to being at the wrong place at the wrong time. It can happen anywhere .......

This is bad advertisement for the Mara. I do hope people do not stay away.......

Thanks to CHSL for his very helpful and detailed explanation. I was planning on staying at Entim in March and do not intend to change my plans - if anything his positive comments about the camp make me more not less likely to visit.

In less than a month my wife and I will self-drive in Mkomazi, Usambara, Saadani, Selous, Mikumi and Ruaha. We will take the usual precautions but with some additional awareness for sure. And 100% theft insurance for all our equipment is a must from now on!

We have an extended Kenya drive planned for summer 2010 but will be escorted by David while camping for several weeks in the Mara at his private sites. Like Robin we plan to be quite alone. I do not have any additional words-of-wisdom at this time other than to agree these theft acts appear to be completely random and often disorganised so we are not overly worried.

I still feel safer at camps in East Africa than camping with friends in the wild here in SW Virginia. Three weeks ago two Virginia Tech students were brutally murdered in Jefferson National Forest at a popular camp area! Murder is still unsolved.

While thefts continue to happen randomly in Tanzania (most recently near Klein's Camp) and Kenya in or near popular parks, I am not aware of murders or attempted murders. I do not know of any consistent attempts to target tourists in any organised way.

The drought and dismal tourism effects may be the cause of more desperate actions of random crime so I do think all visitors should be alert but not alarmed.

The authorities on the other hand, should be alarmed and take extra precautions to protect tourists.

"The drought and dismal tourism effects may be the cause of more desperate actions of random crime so I do think all visitors should be alert but not alarmed."

Not that there is every any excuse for any behavior of this sort, but I believe this does serve as an explanation.

I would be interested to learn whether the insurance comp of either involved party has paid any compensation for the loss of the 50.000US$ equipment stolen during the 2007 incident.

If I were involved in any investigation I would be puzzled by

- the inconsistency in both statements regarding the # of perpetrators
- is it realistic that someone who is schlepping equipment worth 50000US$ is keen on saving 20US$pppd reserve fees and stays in a camp site still under construction well knowing regarding the lack of security guards?
Late 2007 the reserve fee was 40USpppd as far as my records show.


I am wondering why there is no recent post on the 2007 incident.

SV

I have just booked my 6th trip to Africa(the last 2 and this one to Entim)from the USA.
There isn't enough room here to tell you how wonderful Entim is. I travel alone and at no time did I feel my safety was compromised they couldn't have done more to make me feel more welcome. Entim is an amazing blend of rustic camping and 5 star comfort and quality with the most knowledgable guides you could possibly find.

Entim Camp was open in 2007.

... should read "Entim Camp was NOT open in 2007"