Disturbing report on BBC TV today:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8265988.stm

Thank you tockoloshe. Tremendous destruction.

Terribly sad for animals and people. I wonder how long it will take for these areas to recover.

We are supposed to go there in a few weeks and are really questioning whether we should go. On the one hand, we know they need our tourist dollars. On the other, going on a safari when there are so many dead animals sounds awful, and when so many in the country are desperate for food and water, it seems callous to be on a safari.

It is a very sad situation. Having visited the Mara this past August, we were surprised, given the long drought in Kenya, by how green the Mara Reserve was. However, the reserve did receive late-day showers on four of the (6) days we were there - not much rain, but enough to keep it green. The rain over the escarpemnt was much heavier and that area looked very green and lush. The Mara River, however, was shockingly low compared to pictures we have seen. We didn't see any carcasses, other than those left by predators, and it was easy to forget about the tragedy (the drought) when traveling through the southern part of Kenya. Robin

My sister and I are going in a little over 3 weeks - I have been following the reports and its depressing; one feels helpless. Like CheapSk8 I have had similar thoughts. At the end of the day I hope our being there does more good than harm but with everything going on there now its hard to think we will go there with a clear conscience. But I am not sure staying away does any good either - maybe I am naive...

One of the camps we were to stay at is now closing early due to lack of bookings, and we've had to rebook elsewhere, so no doubt tourism is suffering is some places (not to mention of course the people and animals!) One of our camps is Entim and the recent incident there just seems like further bad news, but we are trying not to overreact.

Saruni lodges posted this today: Drought in Samburu might be ending: today big storm over Isiolo, clouds in the distance, some smell of rain. Guests just back form game drive: 8 lions chasing a buffalo + cheetah + leopard + many many elephants around the few water wells left in the river. It's strange how the drought brings out the worst and the best that these arid lands have to offer!

Safarimama, that is hopeful news.

Smell of rain, that's good. And clouds to back it up.

Come on, sweet rain!

Thanks everyone for your comments -- this is really a once in a lifetime trip for us because we're taking older family members . . . . so the thought of the smell of rain is very encouraging. Fingers crossed!